In 2003, Psychology today published a study that found people who
meditate shift their brain wave to different areas of the brain which
causes a reduction of stress and fear. In 2008, Dr. James Anderson of
the University of Kentucky found that meditation lowers blood pressure
without the side effects that can come from medication. In 2009, the
Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, found that Yoga postures and
meditation improve blood pressure, blood sugar and triglyceride levels
and reduced waist circumference. And, there are many more studies
available for me to tell you about.
Meditation can be used in a variety of settings. I taught meditation programs in prisons for over five years in the Prison Project. Children programs are flexible and can conform to their shorter attention spans. Of course, many adults do meditation in the privacy of their homes or as part of a class. For example, a yoga class or exercise class. Performing meditation is an active effort that successfully promotes building inner peace.
Mediation is about creating an inner dialogue with yourself. This isn't a verbal exchange and many times takes the form of "sleep." The important part is making the effort to meditate which, in a traditional setting, has three distinct steps. You have to take a comfortable position in a quiet place. Then you do your meditation. The last step is bringing your awareness back from meditation.
First Step
Posture: take a comfortable position on the floor in a chair or lying down.
Take into consideration that you'll be here for a minimum of 15-20 minutes. Make sure that there is nothing to disturb you - cell phones are off, you don't have something in the oven, the dogs won't be barking, and no unexpected visitors will appear. If you have music playing it needs to be soft or subtle. The genre that works well is instrumental. You want the music to support you relaxing and not distract your attention.
Second Step
Practice: close your eyes and relax.
In this stage your eyes are closed and you are focusing your attention within you. You are not placing your attention on the environment (noises outside of you) or situation you are in. If you are noticing your attention to this thing or that thing then you know you're attention is in your senses. Gently shift - place your attention on watching and listening to you breathing and your heart. Take one deep breath and listen. Take another. And another. Place all your attention on your breath.
We take breathing for granted because this machine - called our body - is a grace filled mechanism. In meditation, by paying attention to this breathing or beating you are getting back to basics. Keep your attention on your breathing and the pulse of your heart.
During this time many people fall into "sleep" which really isn't a "normal" sleep. Instead it's a deep meditation. This deep meditation, when it's over, leaves you feeling like you fell into a dark hole because you cannot remember anything maybe your eye lids are heavy - you may even be groggy. All this is good - very good. Whatever your result of meditation is - that is perfectly okay. Don't compare yourself to Anita or John. Being analytical gears up the mind. Accepting the results of your effort keeps you more focused in your heart.
What's more important to observe is the need to explain meditation or define it so that you can determine "how well" you did it. That is not the point of meditation. What you want in meditation is to relax and - quiet honestly - you aren't used to that so you are bond to have results you're "not used to" having, seeing or feeling. Why? Because the life you lead is so filled with stress and over stimulation that you don't even recognize how over stimulated and stressed you are.
The most common response to "what happened" in mediation is "nothing." Again, that is a good description. If we all had a lot more "nothing" going on in our brains and bodies we would be less
stressed and less sick.
Third Step
Completion - bring your awareness back to the present moment.
You are making an effort to be back into the situation and location of your mediation. Very slowly and gently, bring your awareness back. Take time to open your eyes. Take more time to sit up or stand up. This "completion" of meditation is very, very important. Rushing back and then rushing off "to do" this or that can destroy the calm and peace your meditation restored.
The Goal
In all of these steps you are connecting to your awareness of your inner world. Yep, everyone has an inner awareness and everyone has an inner world. This IS NOT the voice in your head that has a comment about everything and everyone. No, it's your divine essence. The communication or sensations you receive will be at different levels about a myriad of subjects. In fact, you may not even be aware you had anything go on due to the dimensional shifts of your divine presence.
This divine essence emanates from your heart. If you feel negative or bad energy then you are focusing on the wrong area. Your heart is full of love and inner peace. All stress and fear in your life reside in your brain. As your meditation effort progresses so will your connection with your divinity. Keep in mind, this isn't a race or competition, if you turn it into that then the sensations and communication will decrease or disappear all together.
Medication is an exquisite time to get to know yourself in the comfort of your privacy. Enjoy it!
May your meditations be full of Grace.
May your medications unravel the joys in your Soul.
Meditation can be used in a variety of settings. I taught meditation programs in prisons for over five years in the Prison Project. Children programs are flexible and can conform to their shorter attention spans. Of course, many adults do meditation in the privacy of their homes or as part of a class. For example, a yoga class or exercise class. Performing meditation is an active effort that successfully promotes building inner peace.
Mediation is about creating an inner dialogue with yourself. This isn't a verbal exchange and many times takes the form of "sleep." The important part is making the effort to meditate which, in a traditional setting, has three distinct steps. You have to take a comfortable position in a quiet place. Then you do your meditation. The last step is bringing your awareness back from meditation.
First Step
Posture: take a comfortable position on the floor in a chair or lying down.
Take into consideration that you'll be here for a minimum of 15-20 minutes. Make sure that there is nothing to disturb you - cell phones are off, you don't have something in the oven, the dogs won't be barking, and no unexpected visitors will appear. If you have music playing it needs to be soft or subtle. The genre that works well is instrumental. You want the music to support you relaxing and not distract your attention.
Second Step
Practice: close your eyes and relax.
In this stage your eyes are closed and you are focusing your attention within you. You are not placing your attention on the environment (noises outside of you) or situation you are in. If you are noticing your attention to this thing or that thing then you know you're attention is in your senses. Gently shift - place your attention on watching and listening to you breathing and your heart. Take one deep breath and listen. Take another. And another. Place all your attention on your breath.
We take breathing for granted because this machine - called our body - is a grace filled mechanism. In meditation, by paying attention to this breathing or beating you are getting back to basics. Keep your attention on your breathing and the pulse of your heart.
During this time many people fall into "sleep" which really isn't a "normal" sleep. Instead it's a deep meditation. This deep meditation, when it's over, leaves you feeling like you fell into a dark hole because you cannot remember anything maybe your eye lids are heavy - you may even be groggy. All this is good - very good. Whatever your result of meditation is - that is perfectly okay. Don't compare yourself to Anita or John. Being analytical gears up the mind. Accepting the results of your effort keeps you more focused in your heart.
What's more important to observe is the need to explain meditation or define it so that you can determine "how well" you did it. That is not the point of meditation. What you want in meditation is to relax and - quiet honestly - you aren't used to that so you are bond to have results you're "not used to" having, seeing or feeling. Why? Because the life you lead is so filled with stress and over stimulation that you don't even recognize how over stimulated and stressed you are.
The most common response to "what happened" in mediation is "nothing." Again, that is a good description. If we all had a lot more "nothing" going on in our brains and bodies we would be less
stressed and less sick.
Third Step
Completion - bring your awareness back to the present moment.
You are making an effort to be back into the situation and location of your mediation. Very slowly and gently, bring your awareness back. Take time to open your eyes. Take more time to sit up or stand up. This "completion" of meditation is very, very important. Rushing back and then rushing off "to do" this or that can destroy the calm and peace your meditation restored.
The Goal
In all of these steps you are connecting to your awareness of your inner world. Yep, everyone has an inner awareness and everyone has an inner world. This IS NOT the voice in your head that has a comment about everything and everyone. No, it's your divine essence. The communication or sensations you receive will be at different levels about a myriad of subjects. In fact, you may not even be aware you had anything go on due to the dimensional shifts of your divine presence.
This divine essence emanates from your heart. If you feel negative or bad energy then you are focusing on the wrong area. Your heart is full of love and inner peace. All stress and fear in your life reside in your brain. As your meditation effort progresses so will your connection with your divinity. Keep in mind, this isn't a race or competition, if you turn it into that then the sensations and communication will decrease or disappear all together.
Medication is an exquisite time to get to know yourself in the comfort of your privacy. Enjoy it!
May your meditations be full of Grace.
May your medications unravel the joys in your Soul.
Steu Mann, M.Ed.
He is an author and Reiki Master. His web site is ShastaConnect.com and offers a free directory of the diverse energetic and spiritual resources in the Mt Shasta area, which can be utilized around the globe. You can connect him about a free Reiki session. Discover Discernment Times Magazine and promote your business in the online marketplace there.
He is an author and Reiki Master. His web site is ShastaConnect.com and offers a free directory of the diverse energetic and spiritual resources in the Mt Shasta area, which can be utilized around the globe. You can connect him about a free Reiki session. Discover Discernment Times Magazine and promote your business in the online marketplace there.
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EzWebManifesting.com: create lasting promotional videos to use on your website or mail them prospects, and post them on youtube.com.
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