Deep Breathe Relaxation Tips

By Marc Galeazzi

In today's society, stress seems to be a way of life. In fact, stress accounts for a majority of the illness and general dis-ease that manages to find its way into our lives and bodies. When your body is overrun with stress it weakens your immune system, and lowers your body's ability to deal with viruses that are waiting to set up shop in your body.

Everyone needs to take a little time out of their day to relax. Center yourself and let the tension release from your muscles and the problems escape your mind. My personal favorite method to achieve this is deep breath relaxation.

There are a plethora of benefits to using deep breath relaxation methods including a deep meditative state the can be achieved. This will help to balance your body, fill your cells with oxygen and energize your being. These techniques have been developed and improved upon for thousands of years by the mediation masters.

If you take up these practices on a daily basis, you will be on your way to leading a healthy life. Breathing and relaxation are a wonderful 1, 2 punch in preventing diseases, lowering blood pressure, reducing anxiety, and fighting depression.

To start, find a quiet and peaceful place where you can sit or stand comfortably. Sit up straight and inhale a deep breath from your abdomen, not your chest. Take long, deep, slow breaths. Feel you lungs fill with oxygen, close your eyes and breathe out.

In the beginning it can be hard to concentrate and stay focused on your breathing. Your mind will want to wonder, effectively distracting you from you goal. If this happens to you, just keep breathing, deep and slow and focus on your breathe. You will achieve a relaxed state where your stress will be released and your mind will be calm.

For ideal results, you will want to reach a meditative state once a day for a half of an hour. If you do this daily you will find your mind and your body felling more vibrate and healthy, and the stress melting away.

If you would like to read more articles like this one, please visit my website at http://www.relaxationtips.org

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Meditation Using Binaural Beats

By Phillip Meyer

About six years ago I came across a new technology that helped with my meditation like nothing before. I have been meditating for as long as I can remember and was no novice at it when I learned about Binaural Beats and how using them, people around the world were gaining the ability to meditate just like the zen monks with 20 years plus practice.

This I thought was to good to be true so I ordered the demo from a respectable company which I will talk about later. This was a turning point in my life, I pushed the button on my CD player and to my surprise not only could I meditate better, but I felt a great shift in my ability to hold and stay in a deep meditative state, it was like magic. Instant meditation at the push of a button "Wow".

Let me explain a little more about just what these binaural beats are. One frequency it delivered to one ear while another of a different frequency to the other and the brain picks up on both at the same time and blends them into one. This results in whole brain thinking and both left and right hemispheres of the brain begin to think more and more as one. The binaural beats can be progressive by using deeper and deeper carrier waves and your meditative experience will growth great depths as you progress.

The technology works by taking you through the stages of Alpha, beta, Theta and Delta and over time deeper into delta than you have ever been before, this is where the magic happens and you will feel a lasting shift in your every day life. Feel better and have a great mood most of the time, it increases your ability to just let everything be OK. I highly recommend you kick start your meditative practice no matter what level you are at. I don't recommend very many things unless they really have the mojo and I have had tremendous results with binaural beats in my meditation practice.

Do yourself a favor and get on over to my blog and sign up for the newsletter, I have some very important and exciting news to share with you about the company that is the cutting edge in this technology as well as a wealth of other information about meditation and many other helpful subjects about mind, body and spirit. Meditation has been around before written records of the practice and now it has come to a whole new level. I cannot express the importance of getting started in a meditation routine, it is helpful in just about all areas in your life. Better health and well being are just around the corner and anyone can take advantage from the young to the old.

Namaste,

Phil,

Meditaion Destination Crew thanks you and hopes you will drop by our blog and check us out you will be happy that you found us.http://meditationdestination.com

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Are We There Yet?

By Tammy Vigue

My first experience with meditation was like a "bootcamp"....as "taught" by a man I lovingly refer to as the "Meditation Nazi" (think Soup Nazi from Seinfeld) His instructions were "Sit Down in a cross legged position, connect your thumb and index finger in a "mudra", close your eyes and focus on your breath.....DON'T MOVE. I'll let you know when 15 minutes is up".

The bootcamp/"buddhacamp" was every day for 30 days at 4:20am. We started at 15 minutes and progressed to 1 hour. Silent, seated meditation. No guided visualization, no mantra...Just the instructions not to move and to focus on our breath. Sounds simple enough, right?!....

I refer to it now as the "Are We There Yet?" syndrome My mind wasn't used to being still. It reminded me of traveling with young kids and their incessant "Are we there yet?" until you reach your final destination. Only in this case my "destination" was sitting still for 15 minutes. 15 minutes might not sound like a long time, (when you're doing something else) but 15 minutes of sitting still for me was like the longest car ride in history. It went something like this....

Minute 1...This is going to be a breeze...all I have to do is sit here for 15 min? No problem. Focus on my breath....I can do this....

Minute 2...How long has this been? (Are we there yet?) It must be at least 10 minutes by now...My legs are killing me...

Minutes 3 to 15.... My back is killing me. How long has this been already...? (Are we there yet?) Okay...focus on your breath....you can do this... Wow...my leg really hurts...I wonder if this could permanently damage my knees...okay...focus...just breathe....focus on your breath....The person beside me is really breathing heavily...I wonder if they have fallen asleep...I can't believe how tired I am... why do we have to do this at 4:20 anyways...oops...focus on your breath....watch your breath...just breathe....Hey I really like that song"Just Breathe" by Faith Hill...(mentally start to sing it)....Oh, I wonder how long it's been...(Are we there yet?)

15 minutes...Final destination.

But an amazing thing happened as the days went on...I began to realize that nothing was permanent. The sensations (pain) I felt in my body moved and changed, and I learned that I wasn't attached to the thoughts or emotions that surfaced. It was a powerful lesson for me that I didn't have to try to change my experience of things- that I could be aware of what was going on within me without judging it as "good" or "bad". Just to be.

And I was hooked...

So, the moral of the story is...don't give up. Your mind may try to play tricks on you in the beginning (Are we there yet?) but if you stick with it you'll notice amazing changes in all areas of your life. Not just when you're "Sitting Still"....

To find out more about the author and Sit Still meditation and stress reduction programs, visit Sit Still at: http://www.sitstill.ca

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5 Easy Ways To Meditate

By Trevor Johnson

There are many different ways to meditate. Each one is a different method with broadly the same end result. Check out these different meditation methods to see which suits you best.

Walking meditation

This is one of the easiest ways to meditate, although obviously it isn't as separate from the rest of the world as you need to be aware of your surroundings. With a walking meditation you pay attention to your feelings and your surroundings. Allow yourself 20 minutes or so and if possible choose a place where you're away from traffic. A local park is good. Then go for a gentle walk and take in the area. Notice the smells and sounds and pay attention to what you see.

Breathing meditation

At its simplest, you find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed and start to take deeper breaths than you'd normally take. Breathe in a long, slow, deep breath. If possible hold it for a second or two before releasing it, again slowly. Repeat this over again, at least 5 times and ideally more. You'll find that this is a quick way to bring about a more relaxed state in your body.

Binaural beats meditation

This is the "modern" way to meditate and is the method I personally use regularly. You can purchase this kind of meditation and then play it on your CD or MP3 player. You need to find a place where you won't be disturbed for the length of the track, which is typically 30 to 60 minutes. The track will play a background noise - usually rainfall or music - as well as binaural beats. These beats play two slightly different tones, one into each ear. Your brain then tries to resolve the small difference between the tones and it is this which brings out a meditative state with next to no effort on your part. This kind of meditation is very powerful - don't get taken in by its simplicity!

Cosmic meditation

Quite similar to the binaural beats meditation, this is usually linked to Cosmic Ordering which is a structured form of Napoleon Hill's ideas from Think and Grow Rich. A cosmic meditation usually takes the form of a guided meditation which will get you relaxed and then allow you to send your current wish or goals list on to the cosmos.

Guided meditation

There are many of these available on the internet. They usually last between 20 and 60 minutes. Typically a guided meditation will start with a relaxation procedure so that you're relaxed and receptive for the main part of the meditation. It will then move on to the actual aim of the meditation, whether this is deep relaxation, healing your body, contacting your higher self or any other goal you have chosen. You can choose a single guided meditation or they are often sold in bundles of several guided meditations.

Whichever way of meditation you decide to use, you'll find that it helps to relax you and relieve the stresses and strains that seem to accompany our modern lifestyle.

Discover more ways to meditate and decide which is the best meditation method for you.

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Zen Driving Meditation For Busy People

By Anmol Mehta

Is the rat race eating into your spiritual evolution? Are you finding less time to do your meditation, yoga and other spiritual practices? Never fear Zen driving meditation is here.

Unfortunately for many of us, work, family, education and more work seems to be consuming our lives. The worst part of this hectic life-style is that the one aspect which should not suffer, does. Our spiritual growth. In this article I will present you with a terrific meditation technique that you can do while driving or while in transit. This should, hopefully, help you in getting your spiritual work back on track and enjoying the marvelous benefits that such work bestows.

In America we drive a lot, and even those who don't drive a lot, often take trains and buses as part of their daily life. This "idle" time presents us with a great opportunity to get in some meditation work and there are many meditations that can conveniently be done during this time.

An obvious warning of course is that please DO NOT practice this meditation if it distracts you in any way from your driving.

Zen meditation techniques all have their roots in mindfulness or being in the moment. This meditation technique is no different and is also designed to help you come into the "here and now" as much as possible. Below is a step by step guide of how to practice this meditation. It is given assuming you are driving, but can easily be extrapolated to other modes of transportation.

Driving Zen Meditation Technique

- Start the meditation by taking 5 long deep slow breaths. This will relax you.

- Now, bring your attention to your breathing and just observe its flow without manipulating it in any way. Meditate on it's physical characteristic as closely as you can. Feeling it's temperature, texture, depth etc. Continue this meditation for 1-5 minutes. This will settle your mind down.

- Now begins the heart of this meditation. Begin to watch the scenery go by as you drive with an unfocused, holistic gaze. In other words, let your vision relax, incorporate the periphery and without any point of focus just observe the world as you journey through it. Just observe the trees, sky, clouds, houses, cars as they pass by. Just be empty within and allow the world to pass through you. That's it.

- To add another component to this meditation technique, whenever you come to a stop return your attention to your breath and then when moving, meditate once more on the scenery.

- If at any time driving requires your focused attention please stop the meditation and pay attention to your driving.

Commentary on Driving Zen Meditation Technique

This meditation technique has the ability to reveal to you the True Nature of Reality. Etched in my mind are occasions where the absolute perfection of life and the moment, were fully realized while practicing this technique. This meditation was one that just came to me naturally and I am happy to share it with all of you.

Anmol Mehta is a Yoga Teacher & Zen Expert. Learn yoga from Free Yoga Videos and explore Nude Yoga on his extensive Meditation and Yoga site, Free Online Guided Meditation Techniques.

This article is available for reprint on your website and/or newsletter, provided it is not changed and you include the author's signature.

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Put on your headphones & change the way you feel in minutes!

By Dimitri Papalexiou

There's a term in Buddhist law called 'The Monkey Mind' it is used mostly in relation to meditation. The monkey mind refers to your brains constant chatter and random jumping from place to place and thought to thought.

The idea behind meditation is to calm the monkey mind (not to actually kill it - Buddhists are against killing), and to connect with your higher self or the Universe. This can be hard to do with monkey always jumping about!

What's all this have to do with my article? Well.... The monkey mind affects just about everybody, and it is usually madly hopping about all day long. Many people believe that they little if any control over their minds, this is not the case!

Meditation, exercise, affirmations, positive-thinking and a good diet all affect your mind in a positive manner but, these are all slow methods. Wouldn't' it be great if you could just plug in your headphones and change the way you feel in minutes?

Good news folks, now you can. I have studied the mind and brain for many years (decades actually) and I love to learn, only problem was I felt that my feelings and emotions controlled me rather than me having any control over them (ever felt that way?).

I tried herbs, meditation (I do recommend every meditate, it's great stuff), positive thinking & self hypnosis. All of these things work to a degree but like most people I wanted a quick fix, "how can I get control of my brain right now?" I asked myself. (I really did ask that).

More study, more research and bingo - I hit the jackpot. I found something called Binaural Beat Technology or frequency following response! The principal behind this technology is relatively simple. You out on your headphones (you must wear headphones to get the required effect) and listen to special sounds.

With your headphones on certain frequencies are played into each ear. The reason for the headphones is because different frequencies are played into each side. Why? Because what you are trying to do here is change your actual brain waves. By playing different frequencies into each ear the brain automatically interprets the difference between the frequencies and adjusts your brain waves to that difference. i.e. If the left ear is presented with a steady tone of 495Hz and the right ear a steady tone of 505Hz, these two tones combine in the brain. The difference, 10Hz, is perceived by your brain.

This 10Hz is formed entirely by the brain. When using stereo headphones, the left and right sounds do not mix together until in your brain. The frequency difference, when perceived by brain this way, is called a binaural beat! Different frequencies cause different feelings or states. See below for the basic states;

State Frequency State of mind Delta 0.5-4Hz Deep sleep Theta 4-8Hz Drowsy (also first stage of sleep) Alpha 8-14Hz Relaxed but alert Beta 14-30Hz Highly alert and focused.

Your brain usually has more than one state happening at a time. The dominant state is the one that affects you the most. For example, if your brain is running mostly in the high beta state you may be alert, you also be a bit stressed-out, if you're mostly theta you are either in a great learning state or ready to nod off into la la land (sleepy time).

With Binaural Beat Technology (BBT) you can now (in just minutes) go from one state of mind to your most desired or required state. I use binaural beats to refresh my mind early in the morning - I am not a morning person and a quick blast of special Alpha frequency is like a mental cup of coffee. I also use BBT to deepen my meditation, sleep better and increase my learning capacity.

There are a few mind training software packages on the market, most are quite complicated to use, but worth the effort. With BBT you can also;

Increase your creative ability

Programme your mind to help you sleep better

Meditate like a pro in much less time

Reduce the effects of aging by reducing stress chemicals in your body

Relax and clam down quicker and easier

Reduce headaches and anxiety

Learn & study with better memory retention

Lessen mild depression (works for me)

Become more alert quickly & refresh your mind

plus much more!!!

I have not noted any side effects fro using this technology, and I have been using it daily for a year or so. Every day I find a new use for BBT. BBT should not be used to self medicate, if you have a medical problem see your Doctor.

My suggestion folks, go out and give this stuff a try! Remember, NO EXERCISE, NO PILLS, NO TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED (in most cases) AND RESULTS IN JUST MINUTES!

What BBT is not; it is not positive thinking, affirmations, subliminal programming or harmful in any way. This is just simple, powerful technology that anyone can use to get quick, easy, painless results. I think that's what we all want isn't it?

P.S. I haven't gone into great technical detail about BBT because I don't think it's required. This stuff works through sound (pun intended) scientific principals.

Dimitri has been marketing on the internet for a few years starting with physical products. Strangely enough his first items were magical charms and amulets, www.talismagick.com . His latest website is www.train-ur-brain.com . He found a way to get control of his mind & brain, now he can learn more & relax quicker. www.train-ur-brain.com

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The Importance of Meditation for Procrastination

By Jason Hobbs

It would be a better option to consider meditation for procrastination, especially for those people, who suffer from procrastination largely because their mind is replete with stress. It is estimated that meditation offers a best solution for stress, since it helps in decreasing the levels of tension from the mind. Hence, it is mostly used in the far eastern regions of the world with much success through all these years. Apart from its use for religious purposes, meditation has also benefited those workers, who procrastinate and even for those people who prepare for their exams. The main reason for a person procrastinating is the fact that they mainly involve a confused mind, which is largely unable to deal with the situation that is at hand. For such people, the best way is to embark on meditation for procrastination. This is largely because, the process of meditation helps in cleansing the mind. This, in turn, helps them in thinking rationally and clearly and without the undue influence of outside forces.

More on Meditation:

It is also estimated that the process of meditation for procrastination helps in the improvement in the levels of concentration. This is mainly because, majority of the people suffering from this disorder are those who face problems with the concentration of tasks at hand and are emotionally unstable. Meditation for procrastination helps in reducing the negative emotions and also, improves the self esteem of a person.

The other reason that needs to be considered for undertaking meditation for procrastination is the fact that, it helps in improvement of metabolism and gives a general promotion of well being, which allows students to concentrate better. In addition, it also proves beneficial to the adults as they feel better to work for an entire stretch in a day.

Miscellaneous benefits of Meditation:

It is up to the individual to understand, as to what it actually takes for meditation in addition to the purpose for which a person meditates. A person needs to be clear about his expectations out of the meditation exercises also. Once a clear idea is acquired, a person would be in a position to prepare a good meditation schedule such that it does not get missed anytime ever.

Overall, the moment a person undergoes deep meditation for procrastination, he would have a good peace of mind and would be in a better position of communicating with others. This would ensure that a person stops procrastinating once and for all and, becomes an achiever who would be in a position to complete whichever tasks are required to be performed. Apart from banishing procrastination, meditation has numerous benefits. The quicker a person meditates, the better it is for him.

If you would like to learn more about Procrastination and receive a FREE Newsletter on the subject visit the authors site http://www.procrastinationadvice.com

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Mindful Meditation - Touching The Untouched Aspect Of Your Life

By David Barrett

Mindful meditation is all about being present in your life. It is a practice that helps you become truly proactive. Usually it has been found that human nature is reactive to everything. Everything we do is most of the times just a reaction of what we think or feel. It is very important for you to understand that because of this reactive nature, we always pursue an endless cycle of disappointment and conflict. We can convert this unhappiness and disappointment into an endless cycle of pleasure and peace by remaining neutral to our feelings and thoughts. This is what mindful meditation is all about. There is an aspect within us that remains untouched for most of our lives. This untouched aspect is spontaneous and awake. We can connect with this untouched aspect by practicing this form of meditation.

Filling Yourself With Positive Energy

It is not easy to achieve the magical power of mindfulness. It demands for constant and sincere practice. Mindful meditation is very much like any other form of meditation. The only difference is that you do not have to focus on something beautiful while you are keeping your eyes closed and reciting the meditation mantras. You have to achieve neutral feelings towards everything. Whatever thoughts come to your mind, you just let them enter. But, make sure that you have to be neutral towards these thoughts. It does not matter much whether they are good thoughts or bad, you have to give them the same level of attention. This way, the energy of your thoughts will get no feeding and you will be able to get in contact with that elusive untouched aspect of your life - the aspect that is spontaneous and widely awake. As soon as you get in contact with this aspect, your heart, mind and soul will get filled with a lot of positive energy.

The Benefits

There are virtually endless benefits of practicing this type of meditation. Let me share some of these benefits with you...

It breaks the vicious cycle of thought, feeling, and reaction.

You no more get attracted towards negative energy.

You no more try to outsmart the entire universe. You have learned to be humble. You have learnt the precious lessons of surrender and gratitude.

You experience an increased level of happiness and joy.

You experience enhanced acceptance, compassion and tolerance.

The feelings of resilience and relaxation are increased.

This type of meditation enhances your ability to control your feelings and personal responsibility in a much better way.

Your psychological well being is improved.

The level of anxiety in you gets decreased.

Any bad habit, such as substance abuse is reduced.

You will be happy to know that mindful meditation also brings several spiritual benefits for you. You will have a much greater conviction of the existence of a higher power. You will get to know about the meaning of your existence in this world, which is nothing but to spread happiness all around you.

I hope you found this article helpful! To discover the secrets of grounding meditation, and to uncover the most powerful sort of zen meditation music, then be sure to check out: http://www.OnlineMeditationGuru.com/

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Using Sounds For Increasing The Power Of The Mind

By Conrad Raw

The use of sound such as in the form of a guided meditation may be helpful because they generally 'guide' you through the steps of meditation with a speaker who uses a calm nearly monotone voice to facilitate a relaxed state. Other sounds could also be that of nature such as waves breaking against a shore, raindrops, a rushing stream or seagulls. By listening and focusing in on these nature sounds, we can find ourselves becoming more relaxed.

Other recorded sounds can be sounds that are meant to produce changes in brainwaves, not unlike the biofeedback machines used years before. In biofeedback training, people had to use bulky equipment, such as a head dress that wired you up to an electroencephalograph, a machine that measures brainwaves. The brainwaves were associated with certain sounds and while you attempt to change the waves, you knew you were successful by the sound heard, or the sounds were produced on a video monitor that allowed you to change the waves by watching. With new technology in the form of DVD's, CD's and tapes, all you need to do is to plug in earphones and listen.

With new technology, sounds can be used on CD's, tapes, MP3 players etc that will change your brainwaves without a lot of effort. These sounds are masked by music or some other sound that is heard on a conscious level, but the sound needed for changing brainwaves is relegated to the subconscious, which will help you to relax and change your behavior and positively enrich your life.

In other sound recordings, the tones used to affect brainwaves are subsonic, that is below the threshold of human hearing. These tones will coax the brainwaves from using beta waves, the waves associated with alertness to theta range, a more relaxed state. You may hear a low humming sound in the background, which are the tones used to affect brainwaves.

The term used for changing brainwaves by sound is brain synchronization, combining the use of both the right and left hemispheres of your brain to work in conjunction with each other.
As you relax and listen to these recordings, the brainwave activity will increase and become more coherent and you will be relaxed but alert.

Using sound for increasing brain function is not new. Pagan cultures often used sound to help to affect mood and induce a trance-like state by the use of music, drums or chanting.

The use of sound to find balance in your life can be achieved by the use of musical harmonics and certain sound frequencies. The use of affirmations in recordings has the effect of going directly to the subconscious which can help in reducing negative self talk and behavior.

Conrad Raw is an expert in practical techniques for personal and spiritual development. He is the author of "Forbidden Secrets Of Personal And Energetic Development." He travels the world to learn and teach and is the founder of Greater Human Potential, a website devoted to bringing you easy to learn techniques to increase your human evolution. Visit his website for a free newsletter filled with tons of great tips and advice.

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Buddhist Meditation Offers the Ultimate in Tranquility

By Fred Field

Meditation has been around for many years and is practiced by many people and many religions, with Buddhism being the major religion for meditation. Buddhist meditation is an essential part of their lives as a goal towards the realization of Nibbana. Nibbana is considered as the ultimate goal in Buddhism. It's not a physical thing that one can see or feel. To reach the realization of Nibbana, one has reached the end of craving and suffering. Nibbana is considered the ultimate bliss and total liberation for all suffering-a total rebirth of the mind and soul.

Living the good life and being the best person they can be in not enough. Although being a good person and doing good things will make the person happy and fulfilled, it will not bring the total enlightenment they require. It is only through Buddhist meditation that they can reach the realization of Nibbana, which is the goal of every Buddhist. The Buddhist learns in explicit details the techniques of Buddhist meditation through the Buddhist scriptures. Although it's important to understand the concept of meditation, it's more vital that the individual learn the actual practice. Two different methods of Buddhist meditation are used in the religion. These two methods are 'samatha' and 'vipassana'.

Samatha means calm or tranquility, which is what the individual is striving to achieve. The beginning stages of samatha have to do with concentration of the mind as one-pointedness. Many different subjects that can be used such as water, light from a candle among many others. A very popular and widely used technique is anapanasati, which is mindfulness of breathing. The body and mind both gain their calmness from concentrating on the breath. Samatha is more than just concentration; however, they need to get rid of the five vices of anxiety, sensual desire, ill will, sloth and doubt. When this goal is reached through this form of Buddhist meditation, great happiness is gained but they still cannot reach Nibbana. This is where vipassana is necessary.

Vipassana is an entirely different approach of Buddhist meditation than samatha. This method rather than concentrating on other things is based on seeing things as they are without any aversions or attractions. Each thing that we do we need to acknowledge. If you are dusting the wall, you need to take note in your mind that you are dusting the wall. This first stage of vipassana is called bare awareness. Bare awareness goes with an insight of our inner lives. This method of Buddhist meditation is used with breathing meditation and can take one to the realization of Nibbana. Many use a combination of vipassana and samatha.

If you want to read more about Meditation and Buddhist Meditation visit Fred Fields Free website about Alternative Medicine

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Find the Meditation Techniques That Work Best For You

By Fred Field

Meditation may be unfamiliar to many people, but it's been around for over 5,000 years. Although it began as a type of religious ritual for the Buddhist, it has now become a method of well being and inner peace used and prescribed by many. The way meditation works is the person gives their entire attention to one thing and doesn't think about anything else. The goal of this it to relax and calm your mind. Of all the forms of tranquility and peace available (drugs, alcohol, love, etc.), meditation is the most long-lived and permanent.

Meditation as well as meditation techniques is actually an art of consciousness, where we are aware of only what we are concentrating on at the time. There are many different meditation techniques available. Although meditation is not yet referred to as a science, it is being researched more and more due to some positive results that have been proven in helping with physical problems. One such instance is brain scans showing that meditation change the way the brain is working and feeling. As of yet, this is still in research stages, but different medication techniques have been tried for many years with patients dealing with many stress-related ailments.

There are different meditation techniques, each with their own method and benefits. After you've been doing meditation, you will probably have tried a few different meditation techniques and have found one you like best. The classic setting method of meditation is probably the most effective for many people. Although some will choose to sit motionless for hours, others don't find this necessary. Your meditation should take place in a quiet room where there will be no disturbances. Many choose to sit cross-legged on the floor while others enjoy a recliner. Your eyes can be open, slightly open to allow a little light in or half open. If you choose to meditate with your eyes closed, make sure there is a light on in the room so light can get through your eyelids so your brain will remain alert. The purpose behind this is that when your eyes are closed, your brain begins to shut down and get ready for "sleep mode". For meditation to work, you should be relaxed like you are sleeping yet be fully awake.

Another method some like to use is the sit-stand methods, which has you sitting quietly for fifteen minutes, then standing for two minutes, sitting for fifteen and so forth for a total of 49 minutes. This method can be done three or four times each day. This method eliminates cramping of the legs, which many experience after sitting for a long time as well as teaching how to meditate in motion.

The use of a recliner also works very well for meditation. The chair should be reclined in a medium recline and your shoes and socks should be off. Many are able to meditate for up to two hours with recliner method technique.

If you want to read more about Meditation and Meditation Techniques visit Fred Fields Free website about Alternative Medicine

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Meditation - What's in it for You?

By E. Raymond Rock

What can we expect to gain from meditation? Nothing, in the beginning, except for a somewhat annoying practice that always seems to get in the way of our doing something more important! If we are half-way serious about our practice, however, we will persevere, and eventually get to a point where we can stand back from the many thoughts that trouble our mind.

At first, our thoughts will overwhelm us. Regardless of how hard we try to concentrate on our meditation object, we will end up lost in thinking. After awhile, however, we kind of catch on and find a way to interrupt the constant stream of thought with a bigger thought; which is keeping our attention on our meditation object; for example, our breathing. In the texts, this is called "Applied Thought." In other words, we keep applying our mind, over and over, like a hammer striking a bell, to the thought of our meditation object - we keep coming back to our meditation object.

We will lose our attention to our meditation object time and again, hundreds, thousands of times, but if we are warriors, and not satisfied to allow thoughts to control us, we will come back again and again to our meditation object and never give up. This coming back time and again is called "Applying our Thought."

In life, this teaches us to focus and to persevere.

As we become proficient in doing this, something happens; we find ourselves remaining on our meditation object longer and longer. When we can remain on it steadily, with no intervening, stray thoughts to interrupt our concentration, we have reached a little milestone, called "Sustained Thought." The analogy is that here the hammer no longer has to strike the bell continuously; the bell continues ringing on its own. This is a big step in the right direction. Rather than a mind that wanders aimlessly from one thought to another, we have now controlled the mind to think only one thought, such as our breathing.

In life, this enables us to to concentrate on issues until they are solved.

We are, however, still plagued by stray thoughts at this stage and will find ourselves alternating between Applied Thought and Sustained Thought until we are able to remain in sustained thought more confidently. Then, other sensations arise, such as happiness (which result from the relief from constant, uncontrolled thought, which is the bases of our stress), and we will also experience pleasurable body sensations.

In life, this builds ease, regardless of our goals.

The next big step is when Applied Thought and Sustained Thought disappear. No longer do we have to apply our mind to a meditation object, or sustain our attention there. Automatically, the mind remains absorbed in the meditation object, such as our breathing, with no effort whatsoever. This is when the happiness, resulting from concentration, is accompanied by confidence and one-pointedness of mind, which is concentration.

In life, we now develop authentic insight where problems no longer require detailed, intellectual analysis. We can feel what is right and wrong. Also, the desire for happiness, which has caused us so many problems in the past, is now not so strong. We have the capacity of equanimity, which means we can be satisfied without constant sense stimulation and this in turn infuses us with constant feelings of joy.

During the third phase, we begin to lose our infatuation with happiness, but still find bodily pleasure arising, even though our mind is becoming more attracted to bare equanimity and mindfulness.

In life, we are now really developing wisdom beyond merely worldly concerns.

The fourth stage involves a complete decoupling of both pleasant and the unpleasant feelings, both pleasure and pain, both joy and grief, as we dwell in bare equanimity now, with a purity of mindfulness.

In life, we are now immune to all negative emotions and their devastating effects. We feel equally about all things.

As we go deeper into meditation, we may eventually notice that there is nothing but space behind and around our meditation object. When this happens, we will lose interest in our meditation object, which will be replaced by the idea of infinite space.

In life, we now develop an overview. We can step back from physical existence, see it for what it truly is, and this brings up great compassion and a desire to help our fellow human beings.

Infinite space, in time, will succumb to the realization that there is nothing. When this happens, our object of concentration will automatically become infinite nothingness. Then, as we realize internally that our perception of infinite nothingness depends on consciousness, we will immediately lose interest in nothingness, with the interest switching to infinite consciousness as the object of our concentration.

In life, although we continue with our efforts and our responsibilities, we are no longer attached to the results of those efforts.

Eventually the realization will come that all of this is dependent upon perception, and when we see this, we will lose interest in perception, and dwell in neither perception nor non-perception.

In life, our love now becomes unconditional for all beings.

And finally, when we see through this perception and non-perception, we give up perception and feeling totally.

In life, it is all now seen as merely dancing of the goddesses.

This is the culmination of concentration practice, after which we begin working on the advanced phases of meditation, which are investigation and insight. These advanced phases will eventually take us to full enlightenment, where the self no longer exists.

E. Raymond Rock of Fort Myers, Florida is cofounder and principal teacher at the Southwest Florida Insight Center, http://www.SouthwestFloridaInsightCenter.com His twenty-nine years of meditation experience has taken him across four continents, including two stopovers in Thailand where he practiced in the remote northeast forests as an ordained Theravada Buddhist monk. His book, A Year to Enlightenment (Career Press/New Page Books) is now available at major bookstores and online retailers. Visit http://www.AYearToEnlightenment.com

Article Source: http://www.amazines.com/Spiritual/article_detail.cfm/432070?articleid=432070

Seven Indicators that Meditation is about to go Mainstream

By E. Raymond Rock

Although meditation is thousands of years old, it is relatively new in the west. Here in America, new ideas seem to introduce themselves at three levels. First, a new idea is viewed as threatening and it is feared. Later, it is made fun of, ridiculed and laughed at. And finally, it is accepted as the unique idea of those who originally ridiculed it! Meditation is presently making a turn from the second to the third level, where we find humorous depictions of people meditating on all kinds of advertising. This is a hint that just around the corner will be a serious discussion and an embracing of meditation. In fact, it's already begun!

Here are the seven indicators that meditation is about to go mainstream:

- People are getting restless regarding their spiritual beliefs.

- Organized religion is losing numbers..

- Drugs, alcohol, and smoking are no longer effective escapes.

- Bookstores and coffee shop hangouts are getting busier.

- Christians are discovering deeper avenues, such as; St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, Meister Eckhart, Thomas Merton, and St. Thomas of Aquinas.

- A new cooperative rather than divisive movement is rising.

- The word meditation is now being spelled correctly (mediation?).

Another indication is that people are just beginning to notice how their attitudes toward their particular religion might separate them from others of different faiths. The most prejudiced and judgmental religions; the very close-minded ones, still can't see their own divisiveness in the way they view other religions. When challenged by differing outlooks, especially those contradicting their dogma, they radically and violently react in the most disparaging ways to all that dare defy them, believing that others are against them and threaten them, and react accordingly with a collective paranoia. By only judging others, however, they cannot see their own hatred and fear, nor do they want to face these two negative emotions.

The fact is that most mature religions are broad minded, understanding that beliefs are just beliefs and that religion is merely theory because it can never be proved. Arguing over theory is counterproductive, like pushing on a string because the foundation of religion is based on hypothesis, and hypothesis can never serve for logical discussions. For example, God exists is hypothesis because in actuality, nobody has ever seen God and have only communicated with God through prophets. Therefore, what can be argued about God? As Walt Whitman once said; "This is what you shall do; love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God . . . . . "

A sign of spiritual maturity is feeling comfortable with neighbors who practice another faith regardless of whether it is Islam, Buddhism, New Age Spirituality, Wicca, Catholicism, Baptist, Judaism, Atheism, Agnosticism, American Indian, or thousands of other religions, including no religion. A sign of spiritual immaturity, on the other hand, is fighting against all these other faiths and practices; which only keeps one angry, aggravated and unhappy.

As people begin to understand that one religion doesn't fit all and accept that there are many ways to heaven through many doors, they will naturally look for common religious values that all can share. Meditation is one of those values. Meditation requires no beliefs; it is completely experiential and non-invasive regarding one's beliefs similar to a vacation away from work that doesn't interfere with your job at all but actually refreshes you so that you can perform your regular tasks even better.

As meditation goes mainstream, we will find commonality among our differences. We will also discover how to be happy again instead of being fearful and angry because of divisiveness. Meditation is glue that can hold good people together, yet requires no allegiance to a belief system, and with no allegiance to belief, we become free to be complete human beings with no further need of religious intolerance.

We can finally love our neighbors.

E. Raymond Rock of Fort Myers, Florida is cofounder and principal teacher at the Southwest Florida Insight Center, http://www.SouthwestFloridaInsightCenter.com His twenty-nine years of meditation experience has taken him across four continents, including two stopovers in Thailand where he practiced in the remote northeast forests as an ordained Theravada Buddhist monk. His book, A Year to Enlightenment (Career Press/New Page Books) is now available at major bookstores and online retailers. Visit http://www.AYearToEnlightenment.com

Article Source: http://www.amazines.com/Spiritual/article_detail.cfm/434376?articleid=434376