meditation

Meditation refers to a state where your body and mind are consciously relaxed and focused. Practitioners of this art report increased awareness
focus
and concentration
as well as a more positive outlook in life.

Meditation is most commonly associated with monks
mystics and other spiritual disciplines. However
you don’t have to be a monk or mystic to enjoy its benefits. And you don’t even have to be in a special place to practice it. You could even try it in your own living room!

Although there are many different approaches to meditation
the fundamental principles remain the same. The most important among these principles is that of removing obstructive
negative
and wandering thoughts and fantasies
and calming the mind with a deep sense of focus. This clears the mind of debris and prepares it for a higher quality of activity.

The negative thoughts you have those of noisy neighbors
bossy officemates
that parking ticket you got
and unwanted spam are said to contribute to the ‘polluting’ of the mind
and shutting them out is allows for the ‘cleansing’ of the mind so that it may focus on deeper
more meaningful thoughts.

Some practitioners even shut out all sensory input no sights
no sounds
and nothing to touch and try to detach themselves from the commotion around them. You may now focus on a deep
profound thought if this is your goal. It may seem deafening at first
since we are all too accustomed to constantly hearing and seeing things
but as you continue this exercise you will find yourself becoming more aware of everything around you.

If you find the meditating positions you see on television threatening those with impossibly arched backs
and painful-looking contortions you need not worry. The principle here is to be in a comfortable position conducive to concentration. This may be while sitting cross-legged
standing
lying down
and even walking.

If the position allows you to relax and focus
then that would be a good starting point. While sitting or standing
the back should be straight
but not tense or tight. In other positions
the only no-no is slouching and falling asleep.

Loose
comfortable clothes help a lot in the process since tight fitting clothes have a tendency to choke you up and make you feel tense.

The place you perform meditation should have a soothing atmosphere. It may be in your living room
or bedroom
or any place that you feel comfortable in. You might want an exercise mat if you plan to take on the more challenging positions (if you feel more focused doing so
and if the contortionist in you is screaming for release). You may want to have the place arranged so that it is soothing to your senses.

Silence helps most people relax and meditate
so you may want a quiet
isolated area far from the ringing of the phone or the humming of the washing machine. Pleasing scents also help in that regard
so stocking up on aromatic candles isn’t such a bad idea either.

The monks you see on television making those monotonous sounds are actually performing their mantra. This
in simple terms
is a short creed
a simple sound which
for these practitioners
holds a mystic value.

You do not need to perform such; however
it would pay to note that focusing on repeated actions such as breathing
and humming help the practitioner enter a higher state of consciousness.

The principle here is focus. You could also try focusing on a certain object or thought
or even
while keeping your eyes open
focus on a single sight.

One sample routine would be to while in a meditative state silently name every part of you body and focusing your consciousness on that part. While doing this you should be aware of any tension on any part of your body. Mentally visualize releasing this tension. It works wonders.

There are also many meditation CDs on the market that have been scientifically proven to alter your brainwaves in such a way to help you achieve deep meditation. find out more about these here: Meditation CDs.

In all
meditation is a relatively risk-free practice and its benefits are well worth the effort (or non-effort remember we’re relaxing).

Studies have shown that meditation does bring about beneficial physiologic effects to the body. And there has been a growing consensus in the medical community to further study the effects of such. So start now in creating your health and well being...start meditating today!