Meditation Isn’t As Difficult As You Think
Meditation has a mystical aura about it, which can cause some people to believe that it’s just too complicated. But rest assured, meditation is a simple practice that anyone can do. And the potential health benefits will astound you.
When you meditate, your body and mind are in a state of deliberate focus and relaxation. You will experience heightened awareness of both your external surroundings and your inner self.
There are many different ways to practice meditation. Fundamentally, however, the main beliefs are similar. The key to a successful meditation experience is to still your mind by flushing out negative thoughts and emotions through deep focus. Later, your thoughts will be less scattered and your actions more purposeful.
Think of it as housekeeping of your inner being. Your negative thoughts and emotions (think of how you react to traffic jams, telemarketers, and your neighbor’s new Lexus) are what “pollute” your mind. Meditation “cleanses” the mind, allowing you to focus on the things that really matter.
The practice of meditation will have optimal results in soothing surroundings. Pick a room in your home that makes you feel relaxed. If other people are in the house, find a place where you can lock the door and shut out distractions. Turn off the phone, and shut down any noisy appliances such as the washing machine.
Once meditating is part of your routine, you’ll likely want some extras to enhance the experience. Calming meditation tapes, some aromatic candles and a meditation chair or pillow will help to set the stage.
You’ve probably seen the typical pictures of people meditating, twisted up like a pretzel with impeccable posture. You’ll be relieved to know that this isn′t at all necessary. The idea is to be comfortably positioned so you can focus on your meditation, not your screaming muscles. You can sit cross-legged with your back against the wall, you can lie down, stand up and even walk around.
Keep in mind, however, that your back needs to be straight if you’re standing or sitting. If you slump, you’ll be too relaxed and run the risk of falling asleep. And for maximum comfort, wear something loose and comfy so that you’re not focused on your pants cutting into your middle. You have much more important things to focus on.
Many practitioners of meditation incorporate a mantra into their routine. A mantra is a word or sound that is continuously repeated, and your full concentration should be on nothing but that sound. Pick a word or phrase that has meaning to you, or just a sound that feels good. Although not a necessary component of meditation, it does help you to focus on your breathing and can lead you to a higher state of consciousness.
The key to a successful meditation experience is focus. Choose an object in your mind or in your line of vision, and concentrate on it to the exclusion of everything else. The same applies to a specific thought as well as to your mantra.
Try this easy meditation exercise to get you started. Settle yourself in your quite location. Close your eyes, and imagine each part of your body in order, either from the bottom up or top down. Wordlessly name each part as you concentrate on it and give it your complete attention. You′ll notice right away if a particular location is tense or painful. In your mind, imagine the tension leaving your body. You′ll be astonished and pleased by the results.
