| There is a tendency amongst many people to | | | | distract, establishing a connection with the |
| think that meditation is a somewhat aloof, elitist, | | | | subconscious. There are a number of techniques |
| mystical and complex practice that requires years | | | | for doing this, and each person may do best with |
| of practice to become proficient. People can be | | | | one particular technique. |
| put off trying meditation for any or a combination | | | | An important step in starting your first, and any, |
| of those reasons. Meditation, though, can actually | | | | meditation session, is to get into a comfortable |
| be very simple, and that is how it should be for | | | | position; a position where you can allow your mind |
| beginners. | | | | to drift into a peaceful state with minimum |
| Simple meditation is really where to start, and you | | | | distraction. If you are uncomfortable, your |
| will soon realise that there is nothing mystical or | | | | discomfort will be a distraction. |
| elitist about meditation. Also, it only takes a short | | | | Do not feel that you have to get into the famous |
| period of time to experience the benefits of even | | | | Lotus position, one that many associate with |
| simple meditation. | | | | meditation. It is not essential. I cannot sit in a lotus |
| Given that one of the major benefits of even the | | | | position due to the condition of my hip joints, and |
| simplest meditation can be stress relief, and | | | | can only meditate effectively in other lying or |
| stress is such a big problem in the Western world, | | | | sitting positions. Remember, for simple meditation |
| it is easy to see how widely meditation can | | | | it is the comfort rather than the actual position |
| improve the lives of people. It really is a matter | | | | that is important. Meditation takes place in the |
| of just getting started, as you may soon get into | | | | mind; your mind is with you whatever the |
| a habit (and I do not mean a monk's habit, unless | | | | position; the correct position is primarily to |
| that's what you really want) of making time to | | | | prevent the distraction of discomfort. |
| meditate on a regular basis. | | | | Once you are comfortable, then you can close |
| Where many Westerners may feel uncomfortable | | | | your eyes and start relaxing your mind. It is |
| about meditation is its spiritual connotation. While | | | | essential to focus on your breathing and to |
| the West sinks further into a non-spiritual, | | | | ensure you breathe through your nose and not |
| straightjacket existence, for millions it becomes | | | | your mouth. Pay full attention to each breath, |
| even harder to even contemplate a spiritual side | | | | focusing your mind in the act of breathing into |
| to life. However, those same people can benefit | | | | and out of your lungs. |
| from meditating simply for the stress relief and | | | | Once you have settled into the breathing rhythm, |
| relaxation effects. Then, as time goes by, a | | | | and can maintain your awareness of it, ensure |
| spiritual reawakening may be more likely to follow, | | | | that any thoughts and distractions to do with |
| as naturally as day follows night. | | | | your daily life drift away. This can be difficult, but |
| To keep meditation simple, there is no need to | | | | do not pressure yourself. Like many things, |
| learn about all the theory, nor read volumes by all | | | | practice will make you more in control of your |
| the "experts". Though such learning may enrich | | | | mind and able to shut out external intrusions more |
| your life, it is not an essential of getting started. If | | | | easily. |
| you have any doubts or misunderstandings about | | | | Thoughts will flow in and out of your mind, but |
| meditation, then it is as well just to try it at a | | | | you will eventually start to recognize quiet, still |
| personal level in its simplest form. | | | | periods, like a vacuum in your thoughts. These |
| What is meditation, though? To meditate is, put | | | | periods are what you are aiming for, and with |
| simply, to muse or contemplate, at a profound | | | | practice they will increase in length, increasing the |
| level, on a particular subject or series of subjects. | | | | personal benefit of meditating. |
| Now that hardly seems mystical, spiritual or elitist, | | | | That, really, is simple meditation. Once you start |
| does it? But for a newcomer to meditation, it will | | | | to feel its benefits, and see how easy it really is, |
| do. It is simple, natural, and very easy, once you | | | | you may well want to learn more from experts |
| do it. The difficulty for many in attempting | | | | and study the different types of meditation. One |
| meditation is penetrating the image, and getting | | | | thing is certain though, even simple meditation at |
| down to the practicality. | | | | an "entry" level, will open your mind to a new |
| In meditating, a person will quieten the mind and | | | | world within. A world most people want to |
| move away from conscious thoughts that | | | | explore once they have discovered it. |