| Meditation can change your life. I know that is a | | | | yourself walking for a minute or two while simply |
| strong statement to make, but it's really true. A | | | | "being" and not thinking about the future? That is |
| simple meditation practice will not only bring you | | | | the place you want to get to in meditation. |
| into alignment with the Universe and your | | | | Being in the present moment is not something |
| purpose, but it also connects your energy to | | | | many of us are used to, but it is the place where |
| everyone else. | | | | you can find your deepest connection to yourself |
| Practicing meditation is something anyone can do | | | | and your place in the world. It is also the place |
| regardless of your religious or spiritual affiliations. | | | | that contains what I call your "Spiritual Centre." In |
| My spiritual practice was provided to me by | | | | this place there is no anxiety, depression, worry, |
| Buddhist Monks and other influences (including | | | | guilt or shame; there is only truth. But just like |
| physicists and Shaman), but your practice can be | | | | anything in life, finding this place takes practice. |
| whatever you want it to be. What counts in | | | | Here's an excerpt from my book about how to |
| meditation is the act of meditating or quieting the | | | | start a Vipassana meditation practice: |
| mind. | | | | "If thoughts enter your mind, do not get |
| All of us have so much chatter in our heads, | | | | frustrated and give up, but observe the thought |
| which contributes to stress and anxiety. Meditation | | | | or picture, seeing how it starts and then goes |
| can immediately slow down and even rid your | | | | away, simply seeing it come and go in your mind. |
| mind of all that chatter and chaos-plus it's free | | | | Take your mind back to your breath and continue |
| and you can do it anywhere. In my book, Just | | | | to concentrate on it. |
| Give Your Head a Shake, I talk about meditation | | | | Intrusions can and do happen, sometimes multiple |
| techniques for using Vipassana meditation, which is | | | | times during your meditative practice, so don't |
| a Buddhist practice that simply has you focus on | | | | feel like you are incapable, or give up. As you |
| your breath. | | | | begin to meditate more you will observe that you |
| There are many other ways to meditate, but the | | | | are able to enter a deeper state of meditation |
| main key is getting yourself fully engaged in the | | | | and your focus and concentration will enhance. |
| present moment, whether it's through watching | | | | You will become more centered and grounded |
| your breath or repeating a word. Being in the | | | | because of this. It is from this place that you are |
| present moment means you're not worrying | | | | able to access your divine energy and bring it into |
| about tomorrow or yesterday or what you're | | | | your everyday existence." |
| going to do in an hour. It also means sitting with | | | | In the beginning, you might want to try just 5 |
| your thoughts and watching them like an | | | | minutes a day of Vipassana meditation or |
| observer without judgment. | | | | whatever meditation technique you choose. Even |
| The first time (or anytime) you sit down to | | | | though that's not a long time, you'll start to see |
| meditate you're probably going to have 100 | | | | the benefits and notice that over the course of |
| thoughts, but, with practice it gets easier. The | | | | your day, a more pronounced feeling of calmness |
| idea is not to fight these thoughts or criticize | | | | and content. When you're ready for more, work |
| yourself for having them, but to simply accept | | | | up to 30 minutes a day or more. |
| each thought in a detached way and watch it | | | | As you begin to practice meditate techniques you |
| pass by. You're simply accepting the moment | | | | will not only affect yourself, but also those around |
| (and the thought) like an observer. | | | | you. The feelings of relaxation and peacefulness |
| If you're not quite ready to sit and be still, going | | | | will build slowly, but with time you'll connect to |
| for a walk and really observing with what is | | | | your Spiritual Centre and know you can to handle |
| around you is a good start. What sounds do you | | | | anything that comes your way. |
| hear? What colors do you see? Can you find | | | | |