| Since the publication of the National Institute of | | | | encouraged by the participation of the other |
| Health's report on the many benefits of | | | | people in the group. Some may help you by giving |
| mind-body techniques, like yoga, meditation, and | | | | suggestions based on their own experiences. |
| tai chi, many people want to learn how to | | | | During meditation, the energy changes and a |
| meditate. Since they are closely related, many | | | | group that is meditating together may help to |
| yoga studios also offer meditation groups and | | | | increase each other's energy. It is also less |
| classes. In fact, Siddha Yoga, is described as the | | | | expensive to join a group than it is to hire a |
| yoga of meditation. Both yoga and meditation are | | | | private teacher or meditation guide. |
| relaxing and promote good health and stress relief. | | | | On the other hand, experiencing the energy |
| Learning how to meditate is not hard if you have | | | | radiated by a group may not be so good if the |
| a few of the basic facts. Too often, people think | | | | group has many negative members or people |
| that meditation means stopping all thoughts and | | | | who are experiencing high stress due to their life |
| clearing the mind. That is not an accurate way to | | | | styles and circumstances. |
| describe meditation and when you learn to | | | | Hiring a private meditation guide can be a good |
| meditate you will soon find that the goal is not to | | | | choice if you want individualized coaching and no |
| stop thoughts but to watch thoughts. There is a | | | | pressure from other group members. Of course, |
| big difference. | | | | the meditation teacher you choose should be a |
| Becoming the watcher or observer means | | | | reliable person and the method used to help you |
| becoming detached. It is possible to care about | | | | to learn meditation should be within the guidelines |
| something, including thoughts and feelings and to | | | | for your own personal belief system. I like the |
| still remain detached. For instance, during | | | | student-centered approach in which the student |
| meditation, you mind may begin to show you | | | | tells the teacher what he or she wants to gain |
| different scenes of you in stressful situations, but | | | | from meditation and then the teacher makes |
| you remain calm while you watch the scenes as | | | | suggestions that the student may or may not |
| they unfold in your mind's eye. | | | | choose to accept. |
| This is very beneficial because, even though you | | | | Learning to meditate can also happen by simply |
| care, you are in a relaxed state and feel in control | | | | sitting and closing your eyes and listening to your |
| so you can view what unfolds as an observer. In | | | | own breath. Some people also focus on their |
| that context you can gain valuable insight into | | | | heart beat as a way of calming and quieting the |
| how you react in those situations and what part | | | | mind. You can read books about prana breathing |
| others play in how you feel. This "outside viewing," | | | | and other methods to relax your body and focus |
| that the mind sometimes supplies is a way for | | | | your mind to go into a meditative state more |
| your subconscious to look at something that is | | | | quickly, too. |
| bothering you and to find solutions or at least to | | | | The point is, what do you want to achieve by |
| learn to relax during a stressful situation. | | | | learning to meditate? If you simply want deep |
| But many people wonder, should I enroll in a | | | | relaxation, that is fine and can be achieved in a |
| meditation class or join a group, or should I seek | | | | short amount of time. If you want to work on a |
| a private meditation teacher. Other people | | | | goal like financial attunement, better health, better |
| wonder if they can just read a few books on the | | | | sleep, world peace through superradiance, those |
| subject and learn to meditate on their own. Of | | | | goals are possible, too, but may take longer. It is |
| course, since each person is an individual, there is | | | | a personal choice and unlike so many other things |
| no one right answer. | | | | in life, it is totally dependent upon what you desire. |
| The benefit of group meditation is that you are | | | | |