| Meditation is the art of being still, and centering | | | | breath. Do not feel guilt, or get onto yourself for |
| oneself to communicate with the sacred witness. | | | | thinking just say the word, and then focus on |
| Many people confuse thinking with the act of | | | | your breath. |
| meditation. Yes, one gets quiet, and one does | | | | Another simple way to begin a meditation is to |
| hear the thoughts of the mind, but that is not | | | | breathe in the hurt, pain, anger, sadness, or |
| meditation. The mind would really like to control | | | | depression from yourself, from your friends, |
| you, and not you control it. Meditation is letting go | | | | neighbors, enemies, the city, state, country, or |
| of ego, and relating to the ones soul and body | | | | world. Breathe in that and focus on one aspect of |
| with connection to the mind. Sounds kind of | | | | the above for mentioned. On the exhale breath |
| confusing don't it? Well, we shall dig deep and try | | | | you exhale love, peace and joy. This type of |
| to give you an understanding of the differences | | | | meditation is called Tonglan, and was taught to |
| of the two. | | | | me through the readings of Pema Chodron. |
| While it is true that the practice of meditation is | | | | The healthy meditation is about bringing in an |
| focuses on the mind, body and soul, it is also true | | | | image of light down through your body. As you |
| that these are connections that will help heal us, | | | | are breathing you are mentally (yes, you are |
| and make us whole. Many people use meditation | | | | using your mind) visualizing a light entering the top |
| to reduce stress; that means they are not | | | | of your head, and taking that light all down |
| creating more stress by thinking about the stress, | | | | through your body to your toes. This is the kind |
| and how to solve problems. They are simply | | | | of meditation that allows you to focus on your |
| attempting to relax their mind, and body. | | | | overall health. This is also an example of how to |
| Meditation when done in this quiet order will allow | | | | use your thoughts to your advantage of obtaining |
| you to become healthier, and happier. | | | | wealth, and not allowing your thoughts to wander |
| So, how does one rid their thoughts while | | | | away and bring about more stress. |
| mediating? Thoughts do not go away; they are | | | | With meditation comes the responsibility to know |
| with us at all times. The Problem to be answered | | | | what your intention is in performing this relaxing |
| is how can I control the mind and not think? | | | | act. If your life feels like complete chaos and |
| There lies the real problem and the center of | | | | stress, then the most important aspect is to |
| conducting meditation. Our thoughts control our | | | | relax. To relax during meditation is to take time |
| life. In other words what we think, how we think | | | | out of your busy life, and meditate for at least 20 |
| influences our every move throughout our lives. In | | | | minutes. When you become comfortable then you |
| order to meditate learning to "let go" of our | | | | can do more, but right now 20 is enough. If you |
| thoughts is important, and allowing silence will be | | | | are like many of the busy people you can do this |
| our goal. | | | | is in segments. After all if you need training in |
| With that knowledge and hopefully understanding, | | | | non-thinking I would suggest this method: Take |
| we are now going to examine some ways of | | | | the 20 minutes and chunk up the time. Do 10 |
| meditating. Find a quiet spot can be in your | | | | minutes in the morning just before you get up, |
| bedroom, in your living room, on the porch, | | | | and 10 minutes in the evening just before sleeping. |
| outside, at a park, but somewhere quiet. I | | | | Yes, this will work. If you fall off asleep you are |
| personally would suggest either the living room or | | | | human, and it's ok, you have completed rested |
| bedroom, because you want to help your mind or | | | | and relaxed. What do you do for lunch? Have you |
| thoughts become quieter. You may sit, or lie | | | | ever thought about taking 10 minutes of your |
| down. You may have soft music on, or even a | | | | lunchtime, and meditating? Following your breath is |
| candle. These are tricks that help your thoughts | | | | perfect for this. |
| become focused. Sometimes you might want to | | | | There are many types of meditation to learn |
| purchase a guided meditation on CD to help you | | | | about, but these mentioned are easy, and |
| quiet your mind. | | | | understandable. Your thoughts will become less |
| The very simplest form of meditation is as | | | | important, and your mind body and soul will thank |
| follows: breathe in, and then breathe out. As you | | | | you. Stress reduction is the real goal. When your |
| are breathing follow your breath all the way | | | | stress becomes less, then your body, mind and |
| through the pipes of the lung and bronchi. As you | | | | soul will begin to be healthier. You will also have |
| exhale follow the breath in reverse order. All you | | | | more energy, and you'll sleep better at night. |
| are doing is focusing on your breath. Then as you | | | | Meditation is definitely non-thinking. Meditation is |
| are focusing your mind will begin to wander. Very | | | | not solving problems. The solving of problems will |
| calmly very easily say to yourself the word | | | | be a by-product of the meditation. |
| "thinking" and then go back to watching your | | | | |