Meditation
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There are many things that are not under our control. But it is possible to change one’s state of mind. Meditation is a means of transforming the mind. Meditation is a practice or technique that involves focusing on an object, a sound or your breath. Many years ago meditation was considered something just not meant for modern people, but now it has become very popular with all types of people. Meditation is often confused with various forms of concentration. The intention of concentration exercises is to focus your full undivided attention on specific aspect of functioning of your mind and body in order to accomplish a certain goal or develop certain skill. It allows your mind activity to settle down and results in you becoming more calm, peaceful and focused. Buddhist meditation practices are techniques that encourage and develop clarity, concentration and emotional positivism. By engaging yourself with a particular meditation practice one learns the patterns and habits of the mind, and the practice offers a means to cultivate new, more positive ways of being. With patience and discipline, these calm and focused states of mind can deepen into profoundly tranquil and energized states of mind. Such experiences can have a transformative effect and can lead to a new understanding of life. Meditation is a method for acquainting you mind with virtue. Your mind will be calm and peaceful if it is familiar with virtue. When your mind is peaceful, you are free from worries and mental discomfort and you can experience true happiness. If you train your mind to become peaceful, you will be happy all the time even in unpleasant conditions. But if your mind is not peaceful, you will not be happy even if you have the most pleasant conditions. Meditation is an exercise which aims to prevent thoughts in a natural way by deeply relaxing the physical body and then trying to keep the mind blank with no thoughts. This state can be maintained for a few seconds to few hours. Meditation is a great reliever of stress. Stress occurs in your mind and your mind is the key to relieve stress from your life. You will experience mental focus, relaxation, increased awareness and sense of peace with meditation if practiced regularly. Exercises such as tai-chi, breathing exercises, yoga and visualization are all forms of concentration. There are two types of meditation; placement meditation and analytical meditation. By deeply contemplating the instruction, eventually we reach a conclusion or cause a specific virtuous state of mind to arise. This is the object of placement meditation. Placement meditation depends upon contemplation, and contemplation depends upon listening to or reading Dharma instructions. When we consider the meaning of a Dharma instruction that we have heard or read we are doing analytical meditation. Having found our object through analytical meditation, we then concentrate on it single-pointedly for as long as possible to become deeply familiar with it. This single-pointed concentration is placement meditation. Often, analytical meditation is called simply ‘contemplation’, and placement meditation simply ‘meditation’. Meditation is proven to be one of the alternative therapies. Now-a-days doctors are prescribing meditation to improve exercise performance, lower blood pressure, relieve insomnia and relax with every day stress. Meditation is a simple and safe way to balance a person’s emotional, mental and physical states. Here is a great article on the subject: |
The Starfish... An older and life tested fellow comes upon a boy who is picking up star fish lying above the tide line, stranded and drying in the sun. The boy is throwing them back into the ocean. The older man says: "You can't possibly save all the star fish - think of how many miles of beach there are, and how many beaches in the world! You can't make a difference here..." The boy picks up another star fish, throws it back into the surf and says: "Looks like I made a difference to that one ..." |
| Meditation for beginners Meditation is a mental exercise by which one attempts to get beyond the conditioned, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. There are many different Meditation methods. At the core of meditation is the goal to focus and eventually quiet your mind. As you progress, you will find that you can meditate anywhere and at any time, accessing an inner calm no matter what's going on around you. But first, you have to learn to tame your mind. Getting started Make Time to meditate. Set aside enough Time in your daily routine for meditating. The effects of Meditation are most noticeable when you do it regularly and consistently rather than sporadically. Some people will find five minute meditations worthwhile, for others, the benefits of longer meditation are well worth the time. You can meditate at any time of day; some people like to start their day off with meditation, others like to end the day by clearing their mind, and some prefer to find refuge in meditation in the middle of a busy day. Generally, however, the easiest time to meditate is in the morning, before the day's events tire your body out and give your mind more to think about. Don't meditate immediately following a meal, or when you are likely to be hungry. The body's digestive system can be very distracting. Find or create a quiet, relaxing environment to meditate in. It's especially important, when you're starting out, to avoid any obstacles to attention. Turn off any TV sets, phone(s) or other noisy appliances. If you play music, make sure it's calm, repetitive and gentle, so as not to break your concentration. Meditating outside can be conducive, as long as you don't sit near a busy roadway or another source of loud noise. Positions and beginning techniques. Sit on level ground'''. Sit on a Chair cushion if the ground is uncomfortable. You don't have to twist your limbs into the lotus position or adopt any unusual postures. The important thing is to keep your back straight, as this will help with breathing later on. You can also meditate on a chair. Make sure your back is straight (whether you lean against the chair or sit free does not matter). Your feet should rest solidly on the ground. Any position in which you're relaxed but your back is straight is permissible, even lying down - but be careful that you're not so relaxed that you fall asleep. In warm weather, consider watching the clouds. Keep your eyes half-open without focusing on anything. If this is too distracting or difficult, close them or find something steady to focus on such as a small candle flame. Breathe deeply and slowly from your abdomen rather than your chest. You should feel your stomach rise and fall while your chest stays relatively still. Healthy, stress relieving breathing may be done by inhaling for count of 3, exhaling for count of 6, repeat over and over for 15 to 20 minutes. This expels the used air and more completely oxygenates your blood, lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Many high blood pressure patients have dropped their blood pressure as much as 50 points, allowing them to decrease or eliminate the need for medication. This breathing exercise should be done on a regular basis. Relax every muscle in your body. Don't rush this, as it takes time to fully relax. Do it bit by bit, starting at your toes, and working up to your head, until the tension melts away. Focus your attention. You may notice that your mind wants to wander, bouncing from thought to thought, making observations about other things. Gently bring your attention back to a single point until it rests there naturally. The goal is to allow the "chattering" in your mind to gradually fade away. Find an "anchor" to settle your mind. Let your attention rest on the flow of your breath. Listen to it, follow it, but make no judgments on it (such as "It sounds a little raspy...maybe I'm getting a cold?"). To overcome verbal chatter, recite a meditation mantra (repetition of a sacred word). A single word like "aum" uttered at a steady rhythm is best. You can recite it verbally or just with the voice in your mind. Beginners may find it easier to count their breaths. Try counting your breath from 1 to 10, and then simply start again at 1. To circumvent images that keep intruding on your thoughts, visualize a place that calms you. It can be real or imaginary. Imagine you are at the top of a staircase leading to a peaceful place. Count your way down the steps until you are peaceful and relaxed. For some people, focusing attention on a point or object does exactly the opposite of what meditation is all about. It takes you back to the life of 'focus', 'concentration', 'strain'. In this case, as an alternative to the above techniques, some meditators recommend un-focusing your attention. Instead of focusing attention on a point or an object, this type of meditation is achieved by attaining a '''state of zero'''. Take your attention above all thoughts till a point you lose all attention and all thoughts. Silence your mind.''' Once you've trained your mind to focus on just one thing at a time, the next step is focus on nothing at all, essentially "clearing" your mind. This requires tremendous discipline but is the pinnacle of meditation. After focusing on a single point as described in the previous step, you can either cast it away, or observe it impartially and let it come and then go, without labeling it as "good" or "bad". Take the same approach to any thoughts which return to your mind until silence perseveres. Tips What you do with a silent mind is up to you. Some people find that it is a good time to introduce an intention or a desired outcome to the subconscious mind. Others prefer to "rest" in the rare silence that meditation affords. Read up on the different types of meditation and their purposes. You should be comfortable enough to concentrate, but not so comfortable that you feel the urge to fall asleep. Make some effort to be mindful of your mood and thoughts when not meditating. You may notice that you feel calmer, happier, and sharper on days when you have meditated, and notice a decrease in these qualities when you have not. It may be beneficial to mentally review or replay the previous day at the start of your sessions, if you can do so in a relaxed, passive way. This often happens naturally, and sometimes it's best to allow this to happen, as long as you don't get emotionally wrapped up or let it go on too long before beginning meditation. This procedure is known as "processing" of recent events, and becoming skilled at performing a non-judgmental review of events does much to increase awareness and emotional well- being. The benefits of meditation can be experienced long before the practitioner has been successful in maintaining focus or clearing the mind, simply as a result of the practice. *Set aside a specific time each day for meditation, but don't overdo it. If 20-30 minutes in the morning isn't enough, add another session later in the day instead of trying for a single, longer session. It is easy to lose track of time while meditating. Being concerned about time can be distracting to meditation. Some people find it liberating to set a timer and let it be concerned about how long you have to meditate. Choose a gentle timer. If it is too jarring, the anticipation of the alarm can be distracting also. Some people find that praying can be an effective form of meditation, and they believe in meditating, or "praying through," perhaps for hours to find peace. For peace, naturally your prayer would '''not''' be begging, but more like being grateful for your breath and acknowledging your many blessings... rather than complaining. Meditation isn't about getting anywhere or being anything. It's not about quieting your mind; it's about LISTENING to your mind. It's not about obtaining some goal of nirvana or enlightenment or whatever. It's not a self improvement course because you're already perfect just the way you are. It's about you accepting you right here, right now, for this meditation session. Warnings. Don't expect immediate results. The purpose of meditation is not to turn you into a Zen master overnight. Meditation works best when it is done for its own sake, without becoming attached to results. If you find your mind is wandering, try not to scold or beat up on yourself about it. Wandering restlessly is the normal state of the conditioned mind. This is the first lesson many people learn in meditation and it is a valuable one. Simply, gently, invite your attention back to your breath, remembering that you've just had a small but precious "awakening." Becoming aware of your wandering mind is a success, not a failure. Some people find it's difficult to meditate immediately before bedtime. If you're very sleepy, you may find yourself nodding off. Conversely, meditating may energize your mind, making it more difficult to fall asleep. As you meet other people who meditate, you'll encounter a few who will boast about their endurance for long meditation sessions--even hours and hours at a sitting. Don't be tempted to change your practice to "keep up." Meditation is not competitive. Most importantly. Be kind to yourself and enjoy the experience. The whole idea is to relax and learn to pay attention to the way in which the mind works. Meditation will change your life in many ways and you will be happy to make it a life long practice. Believe me…Enjoy the experience! |
| What is Nirvana? Nope its not them! But if you really want to find out what it is and why we seek it..you must click Here |
| Affirmations for Daily Living I am at peace with the Universe I love and accept myself. I am unique and loving, loved, and free. I am safe and always feel protected. I acknowledge all of my feelings because I am in touch with my feelings. I am surrounded with loving, caring people in my life. I am loving and accepting of others and this creates lasting frienships for me. I trust my inner being to lead me in the right path. I do all I can every day to make a loving environment for all those around me, including myself. I am always connected with the Divine Love in the Universe. My inner vision is always clear and focused. Affirmations for Health I have the power to control my health. I am in control of my health and wellness. I have abundant energy, vitality and well-being. I am healthy in all aspects of my being. I do not fear being unhealthy because I know that I control my own body. I am always able to maintain my ideal weight. I am filled with energy to do all the daily activities in my life. My mind is at peace. I love and care for my body and it cares for me. Affirmations for Abundance I am a success in all that I do. Everything I touch returns riches to me. I am always productive. My work is always recognized positively. I respect my abilities and always work to my full potential. I am constantly adding to my income. I always spend money wisely. A always have enough money for all that I need. I am rewarded for all the work I do. Affirmations for Peace and Harmony in your Life I am at peace with myself. I am always in harmony with the Universe. I am filled with the Love of the Universal Divine Truth. I am at peace with all those around me. I have provided a harmonious place for myself and those I love The more honest I am with those around me, the more love is returned to me. I express anger in appropriate ways so that peace and harmony are balanced at all times. I am at one with the inner child in me. Affirmations for My Spirituality I am free to be myself. I am a forgiving and loving person. I am responsible for my own Spiritual Growth. I have given myself permission to be at one with the Universe. My strength comes from forgiveness of those who hurt me. I am worthy of love. The more I love, the more that love is returned to me. Love is eternal and ever-lasting. I nurture my inner child, love her and have allowed her to heal. I am responsible for my life and always maintain the power I need to be positive and have joy. |
