| > | | | | silence, without judgments. The individual will allow |
| The basics and importance of meditation. Still | | | | the mind to lead them in the meditation, as they |
| your mind in me, still yourself in me, and without a | | | | quietly follow. Anytime the mind wanders off, and |
| doubt you shall be united with me, Lord of Love, | | | | it will, the individual would recognize the mind |
| dwelling in your heart. -Bhagavad GitaMeditation | | | | wandering and gently bring it back to the moment |
| is a bit of a buzz word these days. For some it is | | | | and the silence. Some other examples are |
| a requirement and a respite from life’s | | | | following the breath, repeating a mantra, or gazing |
| hectic pace. For others it may be misunderstood, | | | | at a candle. The important thing is just that the |
| overwhelming, too new age, too difficult, or | | | | individual sit down to do it, no matter what comes |
| completely feared. Yet, meditation, if practiced | | | | up or how the experience plays out. If one just |
| with commitment, will inevitably lead to the | | | | keeps coming back to practice, results will begin |
| successful quieting of the mind. It does not stand | | | | to present themselves. |
| alone, however, as it needs to be first nourished | | | | There are both psychological and physiological |
| with concentration and focus. If someone is willing | | | | benefits of meditation. Some psychological |
| to make meditation a daily practice, the benefits | | | | benefits are focusing of the mind, remaining in the |
| will unfold and create a life lived in clarity and with | | | | present, allowing clutter and worry to fade away, |
| a purpose aligned with the higher self. The | | | | clarifying the purpose of self, and developing a |
| common phrase, The answers are within, | | | | peaceful mind. Physiologically one of the biggest |
| cannot be attained without clearing the mind of all | | | | benefits is the calming of the nervous system |
| the daily clutter. Meditation leads the way. | | | | and release of stress-induced physical symptoms. |
| If one wants to be successful in meditation, one | | | | Rarely is there a reason not to meditate. My own |
| must understand that it is an ongoing process. It | | | | experience with meditation began back in my |
| is a discipline, just as physical exercise, that reaps | | | | early twenties. In my quest for personal peace, I |
| benefits only from concentrated and continual | | | | picked up a few books about meditation that |
| effort. Meditation needs to be cultivated; and a | | | | offered suggestions for getting started. I |
| dedicated practice is essential. That being said, just | | | | attempted many meditations, but my attention |
| like exercise, some is better than none. A student | | | | neverlasted longer than a minute. I was not |
| may start with small increments and gradually | | | | prepared at this time to quiet my mind, and my |
| increase his/her practice with time. | | | | life was in utter chaos. I gave up on the concept |
| Meditation may sound like a complex assignment, | | | | then, figuring I just was not capable. I realize now |
| especially for a beginner. The mind is used to | | | | that I was reluctant to get quiet, because I was |
| wandering, and focus does not come easily for | | | | afraid of what I might learn about myself. In the |
| most. Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras share that | | | | past few years, meditation has become |
| yoga poses, breathing exercises, and relaxation all | | | | extremely important in my routine, in whatever |
| contribute to the preparation of a mind space | | | | form I choose; and it is a time that I look |
| that is open to receive meditation. It is a | | | | forward to and embrace. It’s my time |
| mind-body experience, and therefore, the body | | | | for me, and it is usually after I meditate that |
| needs to also be strong for the prolonged periods | | | | my answers from within appear. My |
| of meditative sitting. There are several sitting | | | | meditative journey brings me closer to living my |
| postures the body can assume although the | | | | life with clarity and keeps me present in my true |
| classic is seated comfortably on a mat or a pillow | | | | authentic self. Meditation is said to be a universal |
| with spine erect and legs folded, hands resting on | | | | requirement for everyone. The highest joys can |
| the knees. The best time of day for meditative | | | | be attained during the meditative process. I often |
| practice is in the early morning upon rising or in | | | | wonder what our world would be like if everyone |
| the evening just before bed. The unconscious | | | | carved out some sacred time for meditation. If |
| mind is at its strongest at the edge of sleep and | | | | everyone had the courage and personal |
| when waking up, and therefore, the meditation is | | | | motivation to get quiet would we still see the |
| more likely to work in harmony with the mind. It | | | | prominence of such things as lying, stealing, |
| is recommended that one meditate for at least | | | | road rage, rampant disregard for human |
| ten to twenty minutes one or two times per day, | | | | emotions and life, self-inflicted suffering and |
| but five minutes is certainly a place to begin. | | | | illnesses, wars between nations, terrorism, and the |
| There are many different types of meditation. | | | | list can go on and on? I see meditation as a vital |
| Each individual has a unique experience with each | | | | tool enabling me to experience the life that I was |
| one. One example is that of a witness meditation. | | | | meant to live. |
| In a witness meditation, the individual will only | | | | Have you got five minutes? |
| observe how the mind/body is reacting in the | | | | |