| Often thought of as an Eastern tradition or custom, | | | | peacefulness, greater understanding of relationships, |
| meditation is gaining prominence as an enriching | | | | and help in building a stronger foundation for motivation. |
| practice in the Western world. While meditation for | | | | Focusing on the mental state helps to bring clarity, |
| many is a spiritual exercise with a specific form and | | | | creativity and development of conceptual abilities to |
| structure, there is no specific manner in which it must | | | | the mind. On a spiritual level, meditation helps connect |
| be performed in order to achieve results. | | | | us with the Divine Source, brings us in closer contact |
| Walking in nature, having some quiet time alone or | | | | with our higher self, and opens up new avenues of |
| being at worship can all bring about a meditative state | | | | development. |
| resulting in insights as much as participating in more | | | | Meditation can be practiced alone or with others. |
| formal practices. In fact, anything you do that has the | | | | There are advantages and disadvantages to both |
| effect of centering yourself and tuning into the | | | | approaches. When meditating alone, you have plenty |
| energies available is the act of meditation. | | | | of time and can go as deeply as you wish into a |
| Basic meditation is the state of quieting the mind to | | | | particular meditation. You are free to engage in the |
| bring about stillness. When this occurs, intuitive | | | | practice at a time that is convenient for you and can |
| information may become available, energies are | | | | create your own private space or sanctuary. When |
| heightened, and calmness is achieved. This is not | | | | engaging in solitary meditation you have no one but |
| something that you can actively do, but is something | | | | yourself to share experiences with and learn from. |
| that you allow to manifest. | | | | Meditation within a group setting can result in stronger |
| The focus of meditation can be on the physical, | | | | mediations and more clarity due to the energy level |
| emotional, mental or spiritual level. Focusing on the | | | | brought about by the group. It offers a format for |
| physical during meditation can help to improve | | | | sharing experiences so the members can gain insights |
| circulation, lower blood pressure, enhance the immune | | | | from each other. The best arrangement would be to |
| system and give you more control over your body, | | | | use both formats to continue to develop new |
| especially in the areas of pain management and | | | | possibilities and foster growth and development. So if |
| healing. It is an especially valuable tool for anyone who | | | | you have not done so already, why not take a break |
| is dealing with a long term, chronic health challenge | | | | to meditate? |
| Concentration on the emotions can bring about | | | | |