Sunday, June 20, 2010

WHY YOU NEED TO MEDITATE

In these times of turbulence and stress, more and more people are seeking a deeper and more definitive answer to life’s meaning. Even though they may not realize it, these people are seeking communication with the Inner Self, sometimes called the Higher Self, because it is this Self that is propelling them towards life’s fullness. It is this Self that will divulge the mystery of the Path, because the mystery of the Inner Self, is the Path itself. When meditation is experienced, it leads to freedom from the incessant mind chatter so prevalent in people today. After some time of regular practice, it also leads to peace of mind, and emotional stability and gradually to spiritual awakening and enlightenment. Meditation is much more than just a method for relaxing the body, but it is important to have a relaxed body for the deeper levels of meditation to be experienced.

Even from times of old, there has always been the desire to go within, to find a place of solitude free from the cares of everyday living and to communicate with one’s maker. Even though meditation plays an important role in religious ceremonies and various other spiritual practices, it is free from all religious connotations. It was practiced way before any formal structure of religion was established and is still being practiced in one form or another, under various names, to the present day.

There are many reasons why meditation is practiced, and some of the more modern ones include, stilling the mind, gaining peace of mind, experiencing emotional stability, spiritual growth and or the development of psychic abilities. Many people use a form of meditation purely for relaxation and health reasons. Regardless of the reason for using it, meditation does calm down the body and the mind and reduces stress and anxiety. Some people have been taught to bring their blood pressure back to normal through the practice of meditation.

Many people have found that meditation sharpens the mind and develops the intuition. Results can be obtained by practicing for ten minutes two to three times a day. It is best not to meditate when feeling tired, as you can tend to drop off to sleep. This is a hard habit to break once established. If you are feeling tired and wish to meditate, then wash your face and the upper part of your body with cold water to wake yourself up, then you should be able to accomplish the period of meditation quite easily. Ten minutes of meditation to start off with is ample time in the beginning.

Of course, you will need to find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed and it is necessary to turn off your phone. You may either sit in the Egyptian pose with spine straight, feet together and hands resting lightly on your thighs, or you may lie down with your hands and feet uncrossed. All techniques are, of course, helpful when a person is starting to meditate, but the techniques are not meditation; they are a method to get you into an altered state of consciousness where you can experience being.

Techniques are doing – meditation is being – it is being aware of a different or a higher state of consciousness. In the beginning, the techniques will seem like an effort, and many people give up because they consider it too hard. Meditation is not hard once the mind is cleared of its chatter, the emotional body settles down, and the physical body is quite relaxed.

Browse this website to find more articles on meditation, techniques of meditation, breathwork, centering and many other interesting facets of that which we know as meditation. Any person of any faith can use these methods and instructions that will only enhance your understanding of your own particular philosophy. We could say that meditation is waking up out of the self-imposed limitations of everyday life to the awareness of a different state of consciousness.

You probably find the need to meditate when this world does not give you the peace and harmony that you desire.

2 comments:

  1. Hey Lynette,

    I like your site very much. I've been practicing Chinese internal energy exercises and meditations (qigong)for about 15 years. Qigong helped me immensely in my successful struggle against supposedly terminal lymphoma cancer in the early nineties. I used it as an adjunct to chemo--combining East and West.

    Now it energizes me, calms my mind and greatly reduces stress. As the lymphoma attacked my bones, it also helps me manage the pain without any pain medication. Clear 14 years and still pracicing!

    All the best,

    Bob Ellal

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  2. Hello Bob,
    I am so pleased you found an alternative answer to assist with your problems. I have also practiced qigong in the past and found the internal chi exercises very helpful to keeping the body fit and healthy.

    Kepp on keeping on!
    Many rich blessings to you
    Lyn

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