| Historically, meditation has been used by many | | | | choose. You may take a class and practice in a |
| cultures and religions for the purpose of seeking | | | | large group, buy a book and practice at home, or |
| knowledge, spirituality, relaxation, and improved | | | | try something that incorporates physical |
| focus. Today, meditation is being researched for | | | | movement like yoga, tai chi, or qi kung. Find which |
| its possible benefit to helping with certain health | | | | one resonates with you the best and go with it. |
| conditions, effects on increasing relaxation, and | | | | Here some tips to get you started: |
| seeking a greater understanding of what is | | | | You may want to start simple with two to |
| commonly referred to as the "mind-body balance." | | | | five minutes of quiet, deep thinking to yourself |
| The mind-body balance refers to the connection | | | | Focus on breathing deeply to a spot below |
| between our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and our | | | | your belly button - this will help you relax |
| physical body. Chinese medicine places a strong | | | | Meditation can be practiced any time of day; |
| emphasis on the impact our emotions can have | | | | however it is recommended not to start your |
| on our bodies, mental health, and recovery from | | | | meditation at a time that you will likely fall asleep |
| disease and injury. Stress, worrying, anger, grief, | | | | because then you do not gain any benefit |
| and sadness can all have an impact on how well | | | | Wear comfortable clothing - loosen your tie, |
| our body's systems function. By improving the | | | | undue your cuffs, remove watches, glasses, cell |
| mind-body connection, you can help stay balanced | | | | phones, and shoes as these things usually |
| physically, mentally, and emotionally. | | | | symbolize to our brains that it is work time |
| There are many different types of meditations | | | | You may want to sit on a cushion or put |
| practiced throughout the world. Some incorporate | | | | cushions around you to help be more comfortable |
| physical movements, specific breathing patterns, | | | | Turn off any bright or distracting lights, or |
| some are done while sitting or standing, some | | | | close the blinds; however, some people prefer to |
| incorporate visualizations, and some use chants or | | | | use candles or incense during meditation |
| incantations (repeated phrases). There are some | | | | Try and meditate in the same place every |
| common elements that most meditations share: | | | | time - this helps your brain associate that place |
| The idea of being open or having an "open | | | | with meditation and move more quickly into the |
| heart" - this helps the practitioner to be more | | | | proper state each time |
| accepting of the specific effects of the practice | | | | You may also find it helpful if you can |
| or to help make changes in perspective | | | | meditate at the same time every day so your |
| A comfortable posture - this allows your body | | | | mind and body know when to expect the |
| to stay relaxed for an extended period of time | | | | meditation |
| so you can focus on the intent of the meditation | | | | Do not get frustrated if your mind starts to |
| A specific mental focus - this refers to the | | | | wander and you are thinking about balancing your |
| specific intention of the meditation, whether it is | | | | check book and going through to do lists. When |
| to relax, gain knowledge, increase your | | | | this happens just mentally stop yourself and go |
| awareness, increase health, or work through a | | | | back to focusing on your meditation. |
| difficult decision | | | | It is important to note that it takes some time to |
| A quiet area - most people prefer to practice | | | | build up your skill with meditation. Just like learning |
| meditation in a quiet area where there are no | | | | a sport or exercising, it takes time for your mind |
| distractions to break the focus or make you feel | | | | to build up its strength and ability to focus. It |
| self conscious | | | | would be unreasonable to expect someone to run |
| Meditation is a skill that should be practiced on a | | | | a marathon who has never exercised. If you can |
| daily basis. Although it is commonly thought that | | | | only meditate for two minutes to start with, that |
| you have to sit for extended periods of time in | | | | is all right. Just be patient and continue practicing. |
| order to gain benefit from the practice, the truth | | | | Meditation is a very beneficial skill that can help |
| is that even 5 minutes a day can be beneficial. | | | | dramatically reduce stress, improve cognitive |
| We as a society are constantly being stimulated | | | | clarity, improve memory, help with decision |
| by our televisions, cell phones, computers, iPods, | | | | making, improve outlook on life, as well as |
| all meshed with stressful, busy lives. It can be | | | | improve the prognosis of disease and injury. |
| very valuable to your mental and physical health | | | | Meditation practices can be done anywhere and |
| to relax for a few moments each day and spend | | | | anytime, can be taken with you when you travel, |
| time increasing the awareness of your mind-body | | | | and usually do not require much equipment. It is |
| connection. | | | | also a skill that any person can take up at any |
| Since meditation practices vary in their focus and | | | | age and be cultivated over a lifetime. |
| intentions, there are many different types to | | | | |