Meditation Techniques That Anybody Can Use

Sometimes those of us regular people get intimidated about the idea of learning meditation techniques even if they will do us a lot of good. For a lot of us, when we think of meditation techniques, we get an image of a white haired guru sitting on top of a mountain, not of an ordinary run of the mill person like you and I.


But we know that meditation techniques can do even everyday people like us some good. That is because people that you know who use meditation techniques tend to be calmer, more at ease, relaxed and able to handle stress better than those that d'ont. So it makes you think, maybe there is something to meditation techniques worth looking into.


The good news is that most of those meditation techniques that those gurus use are based on some very practical and easy things that we can do, without special equipment and even without a huge amount of special training to get the simple results that a lot of people work hard to achieve. So what we all need is meditation techniques that anybody can use.


Meditation Technique #1 Its all in the breathing.
It may seem ridiculously easy but much of the fuss about meditation technique is all about breathing. You may have already noticed that as you get more upset or excited or agitated, your breathing becomes shorter and you breathe faster. When that happens, you get less oxygen to your blood, your heart beats faster and your mind, with less blood, gets upset more easily.

So by slowing down your breathing, you can reverse the effect. You take the outcome and make it the cause. Instead of letting your breathing react to how you feel, you control your breathing to change how you feel. It is as simple as taking a few moments and closing your eyes and concentrating on breathing ten or so deep breaths in and out.

As you do so, think about those breaths and nothing else for a moment. Think about the air going in and then going out again. It is as though you are breathing on purpose. The outcome of this meditation technique will be your heart will slow down, your blood will get more oxygen and before long, you are calmer and able to react to things much more serenely. You have taken control over the situation.


Meditation Technique #2 A moment of peace and quiet.
Life has a way of taking over and running us instead of us running it. Work gets hectic, family life full of joys and challenges and you have days where everything seems to go crazy all at once. There is another simple meditation technique you can use to return control of the day to you.


The gurus who use the advanced meditation techniques know that they should have a place where they can retreat to enter into a more contemplative state of mind. So too, you can start to look around your various environments and select a place where you can get a moment of peace and quiet to do your breathing and gather yourself to get control over the chaos that sometimes your day turns into.

While in that quiet place, don't just reflect on how bad things are, slow your breathing, use your ability to reflect and calm yourself and slowly get back to that inner tranquility that will give you control. One meditation technique that people use is to imagine a quiet lake inside their soul. You want that lake to be still, the surface quiet, the air pure and cool, the environment serene and at rest. Then when the world around you is going mad, your tranquil lake is never disturbed.


Meditation Technique #3 Self Talk
You are what you think. And how you talk to yourself when you are using your meditation techniques can bring you up and calm you if you know what to say. Now dont panic at the idea of talking to yourself. Self-talk is a long established meditation technique that you too can use to get your composure in the midst of your busy world.


Again, as we mentioned above, you have to let that self-talk be positive and reassuring. Remember the good of your life and your feelings when you were in control. There are other key meditation techniques that you can use that fall under the category of self-talk that can calm you and put you in a serene state of mind fairly quickly. Remember a time when you had perfect control and try to become that person. Have a common location that is always serene for you and go to that place in your mind for a moment and gather your thoughts there. Reflect on the things in your life that give you power and self worth. Let those things talk to you. Slowly this positive self-talk can do its magic and lift you back to a stable place and give you peace.


Now this is not to say that formal meditation techniques are not of value. They certainly are. As you take advantage of these down to earth meditation techniques we have talked about here today, you will start to feel the benefits in how you sleep, how you react to stress and even in your health.

If you enjoy those benefits, then you are on your way to a lifetime of meditation. Then you can start to look into some more formalized meditation techniques that will take the simple steps and take you to the next level. Who knows, maybe one of these days you will be that white haired guru on the mountaintop. I bet the view is great from up there.

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Hypnosis-The Relationship between Yoga, Meditation, and Self-Hypnosis

Though no one knows the exact origin of yoga, meditation and self-hypnosis, one thing is certain, that they are more than thousands of years old. Eminent scholars are of the opinion that the origins and practice of yoga and meditation can be traced to the Indus Valley civilization. In spite of the fact that these practices give the practitioner a sense of well being and peace it was not in vogue until recently.


Though yoga and meditation are often linked together they are also different. Meditation is thought to have been practiced all over the world for a very long time. Self-hypnosis is also thought to have existed in the world for a long time.


These alternate methods of healing and self-healing have existed for hundreds of year’s in spite of efforts to discourage them by various vested interests for example fundamentalists and dogmatists.

Doesn’t it make you wonder why some people would want to discourage something as wonderful as self-hypnosis, meditation and yoga? Well the answer is simple. Most people who against these methods were people in control- control of other people. And they were under no circumstances willing to relinquish the control they had over the masses, because these methodologies thought one how to have control over one’s well being( physical, mental & spiritual).


In many societies of the world these practices were forbidden. People in countries under dictatorship, communism were forbidden to practice yoga meditation, and self-hypnosis. Why? Because communism didn’t allow people to question and receive answers about any thing other than what they wanted the people to know. They wanted people who were not in touch with their spirituality, whose consciousness was not awakened. They wanted their masses to be like robots and just obey commands. And we all know that yoga takes us to a higher plane and a higher level of consciousness. So people who practice yoga cannot be manipulated according to the whims and fancies of certain people. Because of this kind of oppression many people in the former Soviet union practiced Yoga in secret.


As a person who has lived in a free country all his life I find this difficult to comprehend, as will all of you who live in a free society. All we can conclude is that if people were willing to risk their lives for the well being offered by yoga there must be something to it. Think of all the sages who realized self and more through yoga.


In the present day of gadgets, where we have some gadget or other to do almost any thing we want, we still have no time for ourselves-no time to take real good care of our well being, our spirituality, of self awakening. Who is holding you back from yoga? No one But you yourself. Take a few moments to yourself, put your feet up and relax. Think of all the benefits that you will gain by practicing yoga or meditation or self-hypnosis. Think of the well being that is the fruits of practicing these self- improvement methods. Don’t you want to feel good about your self, be relaxed and calm and be able to deal with the vagaries of life confidently and calmly.

Love and good wishes,

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Power Yoga: Physical Activity and Meditation for a Overall Health

Power Yoga: Physical Activity and Meditation for a Overall Health


Health is the real wealth of an individual. Good health does not mean the absence of physical illness but also the lack of mental and social illness. A healthy person can properly survive and easily cope with the difficulties and stress of daily living. Incorporating regular physical activities, nutritious diet, and refraining from alcohol and cigarettes are necessary in maintaining a fit and healthy body. Yoga is a physical activity that has been used in the ancient times to alleviate health problems associated with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma, shallow breathing, backaches, chronic illness, and many other forms of discomfort. Nowadays, Yoga has gone from a spiritual discipline practiced by many in the Far East, into a mainstream exercise routine that has been taught in many gyms around the world. Other researches suggest that yoga may promote relaxation and reduce distress.


A new form of yoga that focuses on a more fitness-based approached has been developed. It is called Power Yoga, a method closely modeled after the Ashtanga style of practice. The term Power Yoga became widely used in the mid-’90s when many yoga teachers tried new ways to make Ashtanga Yoga more accessible to the western audience. Both Power and Ashtanga Yoga focuses on strength and flexibility. The only difference between the traditional method and Power Yoga is that the latter does not require the performance of a series of poses. It took the basics of yoga and and gave it a dose of aerobics to tone the muscles, sharpen focus, and strengthen the heart.


Other known benefits of practicing Power Yoga include:

Improved strength, endurance, and stamina
Tighter abs, legs, and arms
Helps release physical tension
Helps maintain good and proper posture
Serves as a good warm up for athletes
Improves an athlete’s overall performance


Power Yoga is a very accessible exercise. To practice this new yoga method, all that is needed is a flat floor surface, a mat or towel, and enough overhead space to extend the arms. It can be performed by individuals of different ages and level of physical condition. However, not all poses should be attempted by everyone. Proper posture and alignment should always be maintained during stretch or posture to avoid injuries. These activities should be stopped when there is fatigue, pain, or dizziness.

In addition, the mental component of yoga is as important as its physical activities. Concentration and meditation should not be taken for granted. Yoga should be done with an open and gentle mind when one performs yoga positions and posture. Impatience, self-criticism, and comparing oneself with others may hamper the improvement of one’s physical and mental health.


Individuals who want to engage in physical activities like yoga should consult doctors and other health professionals before taking yoga classes. Certain injuries to the wrist, back, and ankles may prevent some individuals from practicing yoga postures and positions. Furthermore, yoga should be practiced with care and precaution. Some people have reported injuries that were acquired by executing yoga postures without focus, or by attempting difficult positions without working them gradually or by not having proper supervision. Oftentimes, beginners complain of muscle soreness and fatigue after engaging in yoga. These effects may disappear with continuous practice. Yoga is a great way to strengthen the and body and improve overall health.

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Meditation: A Path To Inner Peace

Throughout history, meditation has been an integral part of many cultures. Records indicate that meditation was practiced in ancient Greece and India more than 5,000 years ago. In the Buddhist religion, meditation is an important part of their spiritual practice. Different forms of meditation are practiced in China and Japan, and Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have traditions similar to meditation. The word meditation comes from the Latin meditari which means: exercise, turn something over in ones mind, think, consider. It is defined as consciously directing your attention to alter your state of mind.


Meditation is one of the proven alternative therapies that in recent years have been classified under the mind-body medicine therapies. It is continuing to gain popularity, as more and more health experts believe that there is more to the connection between mind and body than modern medicine can explain. Meditation has been shown to aid the immune system and improve brain activity,
according to researchers. More and more doctors are prescribing meditation as a way to lower blood pressure, improve exercise performance, for people with angina, to help people with asthma to breathe easier, to relieve insomnia, and generally relax everyday stresses of life. Many hospitals now offer meditation classes for their patients because of the health benefits. All promote physiological health and well-being.


Traditionally meditation has been used for spiritual growth but more recently has become a valuable tool for managing stress and finding a place of peace, relaxation, and tranquility in a demanding fast-paced world. Benefits resulting from meditation include: physical and emotional healing; easing stress, fear, and grief; improved breathing; developing intuition; deep relaxation; exploring higher realities; finding inner guidance; unlocking creativity; manifesting change; emotional cleansing and balancing; and deepening concentration and insight.


Meditation elicits many descriptive terms: stillness, silence, tranquility, peace, quiet, and calm. All counter stress and tension. Lama Surya Das in his book Awakening The Buddha Within says, Meditation is not just something to do; its a method of being and seeing an unconditional way of living moment by moment. In other words, learning to live in this moment because this moment is all we have. Henry Winkler is quoted as saying; A human beings first responsibility is to shake hands with himself. Meditation is an opportunity to shake hands with ourselves in a safe, simple way and to balance our emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.


Meditation takes many forms in todays society. All have one thing in common. They use concentration techniques to still the mind and stop thought. Various practices exist such as chanting (Mantra), focusing on energy centres in the body (Chakra Meditation), breathing, mindfulness (Mahamudra), loving kindness, formal sitting (Vipassana), expressive practices (Siddha Yoga), and walking to name some of the styles. Try each style and see what works for you or you may want to alternate between the techniques from time to time. For the purposes of this article, I will discuss Mahamudra and walking meditation.


Practical Steps To Begin Meditating


1. Find a place where there are few external distractions. A place where you feel emotionally comfortable, safe, removed from pressure and stress is the optimal location.

2. Wear clothing that is loose and sit or lie in a comfortable position.

3. Plan to meditate in an area that is warm and comfortable. You might want to have a blanket or light covering as some people experience a feeling of coolness when they arent moving around for a period of time.

4. Candles can be used to focus attention on the task at hand. If you use them, remember to be cautious and extinguish them before leaving the room.

5. Relaxation is a key component of meditation. Take a few moments to bring about a state of relaxation by taking a deep breath through your nose, expanding your lungs and diaphragm. Hold the breath for a few seconds and slowly exhale through your mouth. Do this several times until you feel relaxed.

6. Calm, soothing music can be helpful for inducing a state of tranquillity and relaxation

7. If you are hungry, have a little something to eat, as it is not necessary to meditate on a completely empty stomach.

8. Put your expectations aside and dont worry about doing it right.


Meditation
Mahamudra is the form of meditation that is a way of going about ones daily activities in a state of mindfulness. It is meditation integrated into all aspects of our lives. This following exercise is one you can do anywhere to create a feeling of inner peace. It is particularly helpful for those times you are stuck in traffic, waiting in line at the grocery store or bank, at the office when days are hectic, or when you are picking up the kids from school or extra-curricular activities. What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it, wrote Hugh Mulligan. Meditation helps us remember to stop and smell the daisies.


Begin by taking a deep breath. Breathe deeply and as you do expand your lungs and your diaphragm. Hold the breath for a few seconds and slowly exhale through the mouth. Focus on your breath and clear your mind. Do this several times until you feel the slowing of your breath and a deep sense of peace fill your body. Consciously feel the peace permeate your body. Drop your shoulders and connect through the top of your head to the Universal Energy. Repeat. If you wish, send peace to those around you by connecting to their hearts with light and love.


Walking Meditation
A walking meditation is simply an exercise in awareness. There are four components:
become aware of your breathing,
notice your surroundings,
be attentive to your bodys movement, and
take some time to reflect on your experience when you return home.
To practice awareness walking bring awareness to walking wherever you find yourself. Take notice of your breathing. Are you taking short, shallow breaths without even knowing it? If so, take several deep breaths and centre yourself in your body and in the present moment. Appreciate the wonderful body you have and the blessing of being able to walk.


Notice your surroundings. What season is it? Take a few minutes to listen to the noises around you. Feel the wind, sun, fog, rain or snow on your face. Look at the people, animals, birds, sky, trees, and buildings around you. Breathe in and out and realise that you are an integral part of the environment.

Pay attention to your body. Are you holding tension in your shoulders, neck, solar plexus, lower back, or legs? Breath into any areas where you are feeling tension and let it drain into the Earth. Next, pay attention to your posture. Are you standing straight and tall or slouching? Walk in a way that is comfortable for you with your body loose and uplifted. Walk with dignity and confidence, one foot in front of the other and pay attention to the experience of movement. You can walk mindfully anywhere, along a sidewalk, walking your dog, in the mall, along the hallways at work. You simply remind yourself to be in this moment, taking each step as it comes.


Some people find it helpful to repeat a mantra (mantras are sacred words repeated in order to bring focus to your mind). You can also use a variation on the walking mantra by counting your breaths. Walk more slowly than you usually do and count how many steps it takes for your intake of breath and how many steps for your exhale. In this type of meditation, your attention is focused on both your steps and your breathing bringing together a wonderful balance of peacefulness and awareness.

Take some time to reflect on your experience when you return home. Five or ten minutes brings closure to your walk and provides an opportunity to make the transition from this place of peace to ordinary day-to-day activities.

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Brainwave Meditation – The New Way Of Meditating

Meditation has been practiced since ancient times, but today, in the busy and dynamic, even agitated modern world, meditation or taking time for ourselves is almost a must. And since more and more people are interested to benefit from the positive effects of relaxation and meditation, scientists and specialists have become more interested in studying all the aspects of meditation, how it works and how it can have maximum efficiency. And one of the most recent results of these researches is the brainwave meditation.


How Can You Benefit from the Brainwave Meditation?
The results of the brainwave meditation are the same as in the case of other forms of meditation, but some might say that they are even more intense and specific. There is a great selection of products on todays market, products that you can use in order to test this new meditation technology and discover its results. The most popular products are “psychoacoustic” CDs with a wide range of relaxation and meditation messages that are mainly based on the concept of visualization.


The brainwave sessions can vary in length, but users mention the fact that longer sessions lead to faster results and a better general relaxation these sessions can last up to 45 minutes. There are very specialized CDs or audio formats that are focused on various ranges, such as alpha, beta or delta or there are some which are destined to stimulate all these at the same time.


Basically the role of these brainwave meditation sessions is to travel with your thought and mind, to improve your perception to various stimulants, to develop your awareness, and to be able to conduct an accurate introspection.


Besides the musical CDs with relaxing audio signals, there are various audio formats that are focused on breathing patterns that are meant to relax the listener, based on the same frequency principle. Basically, these breathing sessions that are assisted by an audio format have the purpose to relax the body, the muscles and to slow down the heartbeats, together with releasing the tension.

How Does the Brainwave Meditation Actually Work?

What is the scientific concept that this type of meditating is based on? It all starts from the binaural beats. But what are these binaural beats? Basically, the brainwave meditation or, also called,

brainwave entertainment, presupposes the fact that the brain receives various audio stimulants or signals with a certain frequency and reacts, responds to these signals. The binaural beats have more roles besides the role they play in brainwave meditation they are used in the treatment of certain mental disorders and other medical conditions.


Brainwave meditation is gaining more and more supporters. Until its appearance and until the appearance of the wide range of products that promote this type of meditation, there were many skeptics that doubted the positive effects of meditation upon ones mind, psychological life,

spirituality and general health. But nowadays, these effects can me maximized and measured, they can be scientifically proven and this explains the fact that meditation is gaining more and more supporters.

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Vipassana Meditation – What Is It And How Can It

This form of meditation is one of Indias most ancient techniques of meditating and was discovered by Gautam Buddha more than 2500 years ago. It teaches human beings to see life just the way it is in all its reality without being affected by it. It focuses on observation of the self to realize true liberation from the cycle of rebirths also known as Moksha.


Learn how to practice Vipassana meditation:


There are some basic steps to start doing this form of meditation.

* Sit in a quiet place in a fairly dark room
* You will need to be undisturbed for at least 20 minutes
* Keep your head and spine straight
* You may sit on the floor or on a chair if needed
* Close your eyes to cut out any external influences
* Start focusing on your breathing
* Observe the length of each breath whether short long or heavy
* Do not judge or try and control your breathing
* The key to Vipassana meditation is to act as a neutral spectator to your breathing
* Try to avoid your thoughts from being distracted
* In the beginning your thoughts may get distracted. Jus gently shift your focus back to the breathing
* With practice you will be able to focus on the breathing for long periods without distraction
* If questions and thoughts do arise, do not attend to them during the meditation
* Only once the meditation is over focus on these thoughts


Benefits of Vipassana meditation
This meditation teaches the middle path to life just as Lord Buddha had propagated. It helps us realize the emptiness of the human body and that the real Self is the soul. It teaches patience and benevolence towards all humans and things. Vipassana meditation is rooted in Indian scriptures and hence is an ancient technique of meditation which is practiced to this day.

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