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How do I actually Meditate?
2. What are the Benefits of Meditation?
3. When is the best time for me to Meditate?
4. How long should I Meditate for?
5. Is Meditation affiliated with Religion?
6. Why do some people listen to music whilst they
Meditate?
7. Do I need a teacher and where do I find one?
8. What's the difference between Meditation and
Concentration?
9. What's the difference between Meditation and
my thought process?
10. What's the difference between Meditation
and Relaxation?
1. How do I actually Meditate?
There
are many ways that you can meditate. Most common is to sit
in a comfortable position. Keep your spine straight and vertical,
sitting upright on a chair is an easy and comfortable position
to meditate in. It
is generally considered that you will experience a better meditation
before a meal rather than after a meal.
Focus
on something until your attention transcends the random thoughts
that may be occurring in your head.
The
something that you focus on can be one of the following...
Guided
visualization is good as it will help bring you into a meditative
state. Alternatively visualization may be used once a meditative
state has been reached to produce specific results.
You
are usually not aware of all the mental activity that you are
engaged in. Focus and allow your mind activity to settle down.
If you find yourself caught up in a thought pattern gently bring
yourself back to the object of your focus. It is normal to experience
itches and other body sensations, if this occurs relax and simply
observe.
The
constant practice of meditating will result in you becoming more
peaceful, calm and focused.
2. What are the benefits of Meditation?
Meditation
is great for stress management. You will experience, relaxation,
increased awareness, mental focus, clarity and a sense of peace
if meditation is practiced regularly.
As
meditation involves becoming more aware and more sensitive to
what is within you, facing unpleasant parts of yourself may be
part of Meditation. This added awareness and clarity can help
you advance your spiritual growth and clear negative emotional
patterns you are attached to.
The
following physiological effects of meditation have been documented
- Reduced
blood pressure
- Lower
pulse rate
- Decreased
metabolic rate
- Changes
in the concentration of serum levels of various substances.
3. When is the best time for me to Meditate?
Meditation
will benefit you at any time.
Many
people believe that early morning is the best time to meditate.
They believe that in early morning the hectic pace of the world
has not yet begun and so it is easier to establish the right
atmosphere. Meditating in the morning also lets you carry some
of the energy and peace of the meditation into your day.
Others
meditate at noon, before dinner or later in the evening. Meditation
at these times allows you to throw off some of the accumulated
stress of the day and rejuvenate yourself for the next activity.
Consider
your schedule and when it will allow you to meditate. Having
a time of the day or week set aside for meditation helps with
your self discipline and maintaining regularity.
4. How long should I Meditate for?
When
you first learn meditation you might find that it is not possible
to meditate for more than 10-15 minutes. After some practice
you will be able to meditate for longer periods of time. Many
people meditate 20 - 60 minutes each day, but the right duration
and frequency is for you to decide.
5. Is Meditation affiliated with Religion?
Meditation
is for some people primarily a spiritual practice, or it may
be closely tied to the practice of a religion such as, Hinduism
or Buddhism. Meditation
is a central practice in eastern religions, for contacting "God" or
your higher Self. The Christian religion touches upon Meditation
with Biblical statements such as "The kingdom of heaven is within
you."
Conversely
Meditation is also used in the business, medical and sporting
world, for stress management and as a successful relaxation technique.
Meditation involves contacting something within you, a part of
you that brings calm and is peaceful and rejuvenating.
Dependent
on your beliefs, the type or structure of your meditation and
which group you meditate with, you can be in contact with the
following;
- your
inner child
- your
higher self
- your
soul
- God
- the
spirit world
- Differing
brain wave activity
- the
silence within you
Almost
everyone has already meditated. Every time you wash the dishes
and are off dreaming and unaware of your surroundings you are
probably in a meditative state. The same applies to when you
are driving your car on 'autopilot' and arrive at your destination
without remembering how you got there, you were in a type of
meditative state.
6. Why do some people listen to music whilst they Meditate?
Meditative
music can help in establishing the right atmosphere if you find
it difficult to actually sit down and start your meditation. You
can use music to mask the noise of traffic or neighbors in certain
situations. Some
people use music quite often, others prefer silent meditation
and never use it. You decide.
7. Do I need a teacher and where do I find one?
You
will find a teacher an invaluable aid in learning a meditation
technique and making sure it is practiced correctly. If you are
beginning meditation you will usually have questions which a
teacher will be able to answer.
Learning
with a group of people at a meditation class, allows you to experience
the benefit of meditating with a group of people. Most people
find that they have some of their best meditations while meditating
in a group, because there is a collective energy and focus present.
Numerous
individuals and groups teach meditation. Some charge money and
others do not. Many different techniques are taught, some more
spiritual in nature and others mainly concerned with stress management
and relaxation. It is important that you find what works for you.
8. What's the difference between Meditation and Concentration?
Concentration
can be a part of meditation. You concentrate when you begin your
meditation. After the initial period, as your thoughts decrease
you keep your awareness spontaneously, this is meditation without
concentration.
9. What's the difference between Meditation and my thought process?
Your
thinking process requires energy and is the result of stimuli
in your environment. Meditation attempts to transcend the activity
of thinking. After regular meditation you will become aware that
you are not your thoughts and that there is an awareness that
exists independent of thought.
10. What's the difference between Meditation and Relaxation?
Relaxation
is a benefit of meditation. You can relax in many ways such as
a hot bath or playing sport. Relaxation still engages the thought
process, meditation attempts to transcend the thought process.
Meditation often produces deep relaxation and is much more effective
at reducing mental and physical stress than general relaxation
techniques.
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