Unlocking the Powers of Meditation

When you hear the word meditation, what comes to your mind?  Peace?  Or, if you are a type A personality, maybe anxiety, you don’t think you can shut down your mind and quiet your thoughts.  If that is the case, use the information below to find a meditation practice that will work for you.  Meditation is a truly healing practice and one of the best things you could do for yourself. 

Buddhist philosophy says, “the ultimate benefit of meditation is liberation of the mind from attachment to things it cannot control, such as external circumstances of strong internal emotions.” 

Meditation is all about being present in the moment and turning your attention away from distracting thoughts and concentrating on your breathing.  To help you begin a meditation practice, Psychology Today recommends doing the following:

• Pick a comfortable, quiet place where you will not be disturbed
• Sit with the spine upright on a cushion on the floor or a chair. If you use a chair, make sure your feet are touching the ground.
• Begin to notice your breathing. Try to maintain an open and curious attitude. Notice where the breath goes when it enters and leaves your body.
• Do not try to change the breath in any way. It may change naturally as you observe it.
• If your mind wanders away, note what it is doing, than, gently bring your attention back to the breath.
• Continue observing the breath for 15-20 minutes.

This is only for breath awareness meditation.  There are so many different types of meditation.  You just need to find what works for you.  One of the most helpful websites I found, was from no other than Deeprak Chopra.  In his website, they have a link to 15 different types of guided meditation that range from 5 minutes to 1 hour. Try them out and see if one works for you.  

The benefits that one can receive from meditation are innumerable: emotional (mental clarity, reducing stress, cure anxiety), mental (controlling fight or flight, quieting mind chatter, finding mind-body balance), spiritual (spiritual awakening, law of attraction, peace of mind), and physical (slows aging,  helps sleep, boosts endorphins).  There are so many more benefits from meditation, if I listed them all, this post would go on for pages!

Just keep in mind.  Meditation takes practice.  If you find your mind wandering, acknowledge the thoughts and focus on your breathing.  Don’t get frustrated.  It will come and you will wonder why you waited so long to start!

I’d love to hear about your meditation practices.  Help other readers by sharing what you do.

Good luck and Namaste!