| Many people have asked about different techniques | | | | breath your attention is on the process of inhaling and |
| how to meditate. There are a variety of different | | | | exhaling. |
| ways, but the basic principles are universal. | | | | When distracting thoughts enter your mind - and it is |
| Meditation in some form or another seems to be a | | | | "when," not "if" these distracting thoughts come - it is |
| part of most cultures. The methods and techniques | | | | best to just observe and accept them without |
| are different, of course, but the practice of meditation | | | | judgment. Allow them to move through your conscious |
| in some form is found almost everywhere | | | | mind without focusing on them or allowing them to pull |
| The most common techniques of meditation as a | | | | you away from your meditation practice. Trying to |
| formal practice most likely developed somewhere in | | | | "resist" these kinds of thoughts will only give them |
| the East. India is the most probable birthplace of formal | | | | more power and draw your attention away from the |
| meditation techniques, although various forms of | | | | central purpose of the meditation. |
| meditation were very common in places like China and | | | | Meditation can last from a few minutes to many hours. |
| Japan. | | | | It is best to keep your meditation times short at first. It |
| Transcendental Meditation was introduced to the | | | | is seldom beneficial to meditate for more than an hour, |
| West in 1958 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a spiritual guru | | | | even after years of experience. You should focus on |
| from India. This popular technique of meditation first | | | | quality, not quantity. |
| gained mass exposure in the 1960's when Maharishi | | | | Many people experience an increased sense of |
| was visited by the Beatles. This method of meditation | | | | awareness or "mindfulness" during and after |
| employs the use of a mantra or "sacred sound" that is | | | | meditating. They also often experience a greater |
| given by a guru or teacher. | | | | sense of peace and wellbeing as distractions fall |
| The practice of meditation usually involves sitting | | | | away. The results of meditation can be quite dramatic. |
| quietly in an environment where you will not be | | | | The benefits of meditation are well substantiated by |
| disturbed or distracted. Most people begin by closing | | | | modern science. Over six hundred academic and |
| their eyes and focusing on their breathing while allowing | | | | scientific studies have been done at more than two |
| their body to relax. | | | | hundred independent research institutions in thirty-five |
| Many people associate meditation with sitting on the | | | | countries. All attest to the physical, spiritual and |
| ground in the "lotus" position with their legs crossed. | | | | psychological benefits of regular meditation. |
| The most important thing, however, is to be | | | | Although the techniques how to meditate vary slightly |
| comfortable. Many people like to sit in a chair with their | | | | from one culture to the next, the basic principles of |
| feet on the floor. Most experts think that it's important | | | | relaxation and mindfulness are universal. Meditation is |
| to be sitting erect while meditating. Lying down to | | | | an excellent way to handle the stress of modern life |
| meditate can often result in falling asleep instead and | | | | and to regain the balance that many of us are missing. |
| missing out on the true benefits that meditation offers. | | | | Although meditation does not require formal training or |
| It's important to allow enough time for your mind and | | | | education, the more you study the different methods |
| body to relax when first beginning to meditate. At first, | | | | and techniques available to you, the more you can |
| you simply follow the rhythm of your breathing. Don't | | | | benefit from this amazing tool. |
| try to force anything. As you are "watching" your | | | | |