| Meditation is the art of silencing the mind. It is the | | | | relaxation, but it is very different to the dynamic |
| art of uplifting our consciousness. Meditation helps | | | | relaxation of meditation!). A straight back is |
| us move from a limited ego bound consciousness | | | | important for the free flowing of energy. |
| to a deeper sense of self. If we meditate | | | | 3. Detachment from Thoughts. If you sit and |
| properly we will experience peace of mind, | | | | observe your mind, you will notice how many |
| relaxation and have a better feeling towards | | | | thoughts come unasked and unsought. In |
| ourselves and the world. If we have a calm mind | | | | meditation we seek to detach from the thoughts. |
| and improved self-esteem, there will also be | | | | This is particularly true for a beginner; you cannot |
| benefits for the rest of our being. When we | | | | expect to have a completely silent mind straight |
| reduce our stress, we will notice better health and | | | | away. However, if you constantly detach from |
| we be able to be calm no matter what life | | | | thoughts, they begin to have less power over |
| throws at us. | | | | you. Then you feel that your thoughts are really |
| "If your meditation | | | | separate from your real self. It is when you |
| Is truly high and deep, | | | | separate yourself from your thoughts that you |
| Then you are bound to have | | | | have greater access to your real nature, which is |
| A silent dialogue with peace." | | | | far beyond the domain of the mind. When you |
| - Sri Chinmoy | | | | are able to dive deep within past limiting thoughts, |
| Aspects of Meditation | | | | then you will experience real meditation and the |
| 1. Controlled Breathing. Breathing is important to | | | | sense of expansion and delight this brings. |
| our state of mind, but, it is particularly important | | | | 4. Concentration. To do anything well, we need |
| for meditation. If we slow down our breathing so | | | | concentration. Concentration is simply the ability to |
| it is natural and spontaneous then we will help to | | | | focus on one thing to the exclusion of all else. In |
| quieten the mind. It will be easier to control the | | | | meditation concentration isn't an intense mental |
| relentless flow of thoughts. | | | | form of concentration we may use in an exam. It |
| 2. Meditation Posture. Meditation does not require | | | | is the bringing together of all our awareness onto |
| any specific yoga posture. You can meditate well | | | | one particular exercise. When we have real |
| seated in a chair. The important thing is to keep | | | | concentration we live completely in the present |
| your back straight. Therefore, it is not advisable | | | | moment, we forget the rest of our surroundings |
| to meditate lying down (one reason is you might | | | | and life, but focus exclusively on our object of |
| start to fall asleep - true, this is one type of | | | | meditation whatever that might be. |