| People have been practicing meditation for | | | | your place that nothing can interfere, where you |
| thousands of years. For many people it's a way | | | | find peace, no worries, and no interruptions. Your |
| of stress relief and to get in touch with the | | | | personal heaven. You can also imagine yourself |
| universal mind. Meditation cleans the mental house | | | | floating which is very relaxing and peaceful. This is |
| of troubles and meaningless, nonconstructive | | | | a very powerful benefit to meditation. Create a |
| thoughts. One of the best ways to meditate is by | | | | place that is 100% yours, it is your private place |
| using music to set the mood and provide a focus | | | | for peace and rejuvenation. |
| point on which to concentrate. Meditation is pure | | | | When you decide to start meditating, pick a place |
| quiet inner concentration. | | | | where you can be totally un-interrupted for at |
| There are basically two ways to meditate to | | | | least 10-15 minutes. It should be dark and quite. |
| using music: guided and unguided. Guided means | | | | Try to meditate in the same place every time. |
| that there is a person that verbally guides you | | | | You can either sit in a comfortable chair or on the |
| through the process of mediating and unguided | | | | floor. Start by taking some very deep, slow |
| means that there is no guide and it's just music | | | | breaths using your diaphragm on inhalation and |
| and soothing sounds. If you are a beginner, the | | | | exhalation. Then think about your body and how |
| guided method may be helpful in learning how to | | | | your legs are heavy, then your midsection, your |
| properly get your body and mind in harmony to | | | | arms, etc. all the way up to your head. |
| enter the state of meditation. You must first | | | | Concentrate on these things. Your first few |
| relax your entire body, and then clear your mind | | | | sessions should be all about not moving the body |
| of all thought. For some people this takes a bit of | | | | for a period of time like 10-15 minutes. Just |
| practice and for others it is quite easy. Once you | | | | concentrate on being perfectly still. Once you |
| can master your physical body by sitting | | | | have mastered this, you can combine this with |
| completely still for a period of time (10-15 | | | | mastering your thoughts. You can do this by |
| minutes) without moving at all and when you can | | | | concentrating on a sound or word such as quiet |
| do this along with having no thoughts you are well | | | | that you repeat either in your mind or aloud. This |
| on your way to a useful and satisfying mediation. | | | | is called a mantra. It is a useful way to focus |
| Meditation music is very relaxing. There are many | | | | concentration and clear your mind of all thoughts |
| great mediation cds available. Some contain | | | | as well as resist new thoughts. After you can do |
| peaceful sounds of birds chirping, the breeze | | | | both for a period of time, then you can begin to |
| through the trees, water flowing through a | | | | allow only good thoughts and feelings in. Think |
| stream or waves gently washing on the shore. | | | | about everything you are grateful for. Then you |
| Some also utilize vibrations. This is a fairly new | | | | can create your own special place in your mind |
| concept that blends modern technology with | | | | where you go to meditate, your "secret garden". |
| ancient instruments including Crystal and Tibetan | | | | You'll find that meditation will be something that |
| singing bowls, bells, drums and synthesizers which | | | | you can't go without. That's a good thing! |
| result in an extremely relaxing experience. | | | | This will take practice but once you achieve it, |
| This use of vibrations makes sense since | | | | you will be able to reach the "universal mind". This |
| everything, including our bodies, is made up of | | | | is when real progress is made. You will find that |
| vibrations. I think this is why music is such a | | | | when you are through meditating, you will feel |
| pleasure for us. Do you ever "feel" the music? | | | | refreshed and have a clear mind. |
| When you can feel it, it is in harmony with you. | | | | There is a new way to meditate now and that is |
| When you are feeling aggressive, aggressive | | | | walking meditation. Some people find that walking |
| music feels good. Music sets the mood and the | | | | with their headphones extremely beneficial. Not |
| reason is because everything operates on | | | | only are you exercising the body which releases |
| vibration. | | | | stress, you are also able to clear the mind and |
| Once you have mastered the physical body and | | | | concentrate on the rhythm of your steps and the |
| your thoughts, you can then move to the stage | | | | music. To me, however, I find that the best way |
| of using visualization during your meditation. This is | | | | is in a very dark and quite room with music |
| a wonderful enhancement to meditation. Through | | | | playing down low. But everyone is different. |
| visualization you can create a place in your mind | | | | Whatever way you decide to go, the best |
| that is your "secret garden" of peace and | | | | decision is to just start! |
| tranquility. This is an important part of mediation. | | | | Meditation takes practice. Be patient and |
| It can be anything you want! For instance it can | | | | remember that the more you practice meditation |
| be a garden, in the woods or on the beach. | | | | the easier it will become. Meditation is natures high |
| Whatever works for you. The point is that this is | | | | and it's totally good for you! |