| In the Western World, meditation has been gaining | | | | yourself. |
| ground in both the medical arena and the | | | | The most recognized form of meditation and the |
| population in general. People from all walks of life | | | | one I use most frequently is sitting meditation. |
| swear by it and medical science has proven it | | | | Find a comfortable straight backed chair or nice |
| effective in many circumstances. There is a | | | | cushion for the floor so that you may sit |
| common misconception that meditation solely | | | | comfortably. Picking a specific time to do this |
| consists of sitting cross legged, straight up on the | | | | each day can be helpful in building up to regular |
| floor watching a candle or concentrating on your | | | | sittings. Try to free yourself from distractions and |
| breath. While this is a very common way of | | | | outside noise as much as possible. You may find |
| practicing, there are many other ways to | | | | many things happening during your sessions and |
| meditate. Of course, they all have a common | | | | everything is normal for you. The goal is to sit |
| themes running through them such as | | | | quietly and try to still your mind. This can be quite |
| concentration, relaxation, slowing down the | | | | difficult since our everyday lives are so fast |
| chatter, and living in the moment. | | | | paced. Being in the moment and letting thoughts |
| Finding a suitable meditative practice can greatly | | | | pass by without judgment is a great way to find |
| enhance your life and I urge anyone to give it a | | | | balance and maintain a more even temperament. |
| serious try. It can be difficult at first because we | | | | You are not the thoughts you are having...those |
| are so uncomfortable with silence and our own | | | | are just moments. Some find it helpful to focus |
| thoughts. But if you stick with it and experiment | | | | on candlelight, breathing exercises, or listen to |
| with different forms to see what appeals to you | | | | relaxing music. It can be difficult to sit at first If |
| most, I am certain you will find the quality of your | | | | you commit to at least a few times a week |
| life improving exponentially. There are several | | | | initially, I can assure you of positive results. |
| forms of meditation.Probably the most popular | | | | Meditation can serve many purposes. It can help |
| physical practice associated with it is yoga. Some | | | | alter your normal response to stress by allowing |
| other examples of moving meditation are Tai Chi, | | | | you to respond and not react. You will feel more |
| Qi Gong, and even something as simple as | | | | grounded and find you can move through your |
| walking. All of these practices involve similar | | | | day with greater ease. Things that used to bother |
| meditative practices such as being in the moment, | | | | you may no longer seem so important. Physically, |
| awareness of your body and mind, and focusing | | | | it can help your body feel more relaxed and aid in |
| on your breath. The Buddhist practice known as | | | | sleeping better. One of the most important things |
| mindfulness meditation is a true effort of living in | | | | it does is connect us to that deeper part of |
| the moment. Your whole day is spent in | | | | ourselves, the part that is interconnected with all |
| meditation as you are completely in every | | | | the other energies in our world. This is not only |
| moment, not thinking of the past or future. You | | | | the stuff of "hippies" and "gurus". It is a practice |
| give complete focus to each task no matter how | | | | that can benefit anyone, regardless of their |
| trivial it may seem, such as washing the dishes. | | | | religious or spiritual affiliations. |
| This kind of meditation is a great way to center | | | | |