meditation is that simple...
Meditation is really that simple. Yes, there are Buddhists and East Indians that will tell you differently, as will the Transcendental meditation folks. You can learn their techniques if you want, they are just as beneficial as simpler ways of meditating.
So, we have walking meditation. Simply go for a walk, concentrating on your surroundings, being mindful of where you are. Be here now. When your mind strays to tasks of the day, bring it back to where you are placing your feet. When your mind starts to worry about whatever, bring it back to where your body is. Do that for a period of time and you will be able to say that you have successfully meditated.
There are other types of meditation. Guided, contemplation, breathing, chanting, yoga.
Perhaps the easiest of those is guided meditation. This is great for beginners, and also for more advanced mediators who at times may feel the need to use a guided meditation. I was speaking with a lady the other day who said that she was a regular mediator, but lately had been having difficulties with her standard meditation practice, so she was using guided meditations for a while. Guided meditations are those where you listen to the words of someone else, who guides you through a meditation. You can get them for free online, or buy them from various artists. Do a google search on guided meditations. If you have Itunes, do the same. You will find something that appeals to you.
Contemplation is a bit more difficult to do, for in contemplative meditation you meditate with your eyes open. The most common object to contemplate is a lit candle, but you could use any object. Simply sit and observe the object. Concentrate on it, noticing the shapes, the way the flame flickers in the air, the undulations, the wax melting. If your attention is distracted, bring it back.
Breathing meditation allows you to concentrate on your breath. Some folks count, some folks silently chant words on each out and in breath. Counting can help you to regulate your breath. For example, if you make each exhale last to a count of four, then each inhale lasts to a count of four. You will have to adjust the speed of your counts at times to make sure you don't get lightheaded or dizzy. Or you can bring in energy on inhale and let loose of stress or tiredness on exhale. Actually say the words to yourself on inhale and exhale: in "energy, fresh air, life" and out "stress, fatigue."
If you say the words out loud, over and over again, you have chanting. Although if you chant sounds that have no meaning to you, you might find chanting a good technique. Again,do a google search on chanting meditation and you will find some good chants to use.
Yoga is a very beneficial way to meditate. It forces you to concentrate on your poses while breathing. Not much room for anything else while you are doing that!
The benefits of meditation are well documented: strengthened immune system, lowered blood pressure and other physical health improvements are standard. But meditation also helps with your state of being. It lends itself to a state of peace, no matter what is happening during your days. Meditation tends to calm us, and it puts us in touch with Spirit on a deeper level. Connection with Spirit is where the good stuff happens. And, meditation is cumulative: the more you do it, the greater your benefits, and they just keep piling up.
If you are a beginner, start incorporating meditation into your daily spiritual practices now. Start with just five minutes a day. You will soon find that it is easier to go longer, and that if you don't do it, you feel the effects during the day.
So, we have walking meditation. Simply go for a walk, concentrating on your surroundings, being mindful of where you are. Be here now. When your mind strays to tasks of the day, bring it back to where you are placing your feet. When your mind starts to worry about whatever, bring it back to where your body is. Do that for a period of time and you will be able to say that you have successfully meditated.
There are other types of meditation. Guided, contemplation, breathing, chanting, yoga.
Perhaps the easiest of those is guided meditation. This is great for beginners, and also for more advanced mediators who at times may feel the need to use a guided meditation. I was speaking with a lady the other day who said that she was a regular mediator, but lately had been having difficulties with her standard meditation practice, so she was using guided meditations for a while. Guided meditations are those where you listen to the words of someone else, who guides you through a meditation. You can get them for free online, or buy them from various artists. Do a google search on guided meditations. If you have Itunes, do the same. You will find something that appeals to you.
Contemplation is a bit more difficult to do, for in contemplative meditation you meditate with your eyes open. The most common object to contemplate is a lit candle, but you could use any object. Simply sit and observe the object. Concentrate on it, noticing the shapes, the way the flame flickers in the air, the undulations, the wax melting. If your attention is distracted, bring it back.
Breathing meditation allows you to concentrate on your breath. Some folks count, some folks silently chant words on each out and in breath. Counting can help you to regulate your breath. For example, if you make each exhale last to a count of four, then each inhale lasts to a count of four. You will have to adjust the speed of your counts at times to make sure you don't get lightheaded or dizzy. Or you can bring in energy on inhale and let loose of stress or tiredness on exhale. Actually say the words to yourself on inhale and exhale: in "energy, fresh air, life" and out "stress, fatigue."
If you say the words out loud, over and over again, you have chanting. Although if you chant sounds that have no meaning to you, you might find chanting a good technique. Again,do a google search on chanting meditation and you will find some good chants to use.
Yoga is a very beneficial way to meditate. It forces you to concentrate on your poses while breathing. Not much room for anything else while you are doing that!
The benefits of meditation are well documented: strengthened immune system, lowered blood pressure and other physical health improvements are standard. But meditation also helps with your state of being. It lends itself to a state of peace, no matter what is happening during your days. Meditation tends to calm us, and it puts us in touch with Spirit on a deeper level. Connection with Spirit is where the good stuff happens. And, meditation is cumulative: the more you do it, the greater your benefits, and they just keep piling up.
If you are a beginner, start incorporating meditation into your daily spiritual practices now. Start with just five minutes a day. You will soon find that it is easier to go longer, and that if you don't do it, you feel the effects during the day.
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