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Emergence of Meditation Techniques

The emergence of meditation has brought many changes in its practice as man pushes to achieve absolute mental efficiency. Meditation is a process of the inducement or training of the mind with the objective of achieving a certain mental benefit. Just like physical fitness that involves the training of the body for the purpose of 3ensuring an active and healthy body, meditation is a process that is essential for the growth and development of the body. Meditation is done through seating and most cases the use of the meditation stools. Meditation stools are essential in ensuring the right posture essential for a comfortable seating that can allow for an uninterrupted meditation for a long time. The stool is essential also for ensuring a straight back hence at the end of the meditation one could not feel the pain and physical challenges that come with the meditation process. Meditation is known to be important in many ways in the development of the mind and soul of a human being and the health. Conditionally, meditation is a medicine for various human ailments, especially depression and high blood pressure. Depression in the recent days has been a major ailment that been brought about stress from the day to day activities of human being, these ailment can cause high blood pressure and mental incapacitation. Therefore, meditation helps in reducing them pressure and symptoms of high blood pressure and even anxiety. High level of anxiety is a bad mental position of human beings, meditation helps reduce the position. Practicing of meditation started long time ago, over years techniques have been created to practice the activity to ensure that it is done in the right and positive manner. Below are some of the techniques that are used in meditation.

Techniques

As illustrated above, the use of meditation stools is common in the current society with a great number of meditator preferring the stool. But with even the use of the stool, there are a number of techniques that have been designed for the practice of meditation. There three actual techniques that are commonly used in the practice of meditation:

Transcendental Meditation

Perhaps among the available meditation techniques, the transcendental technique is the easiest and simplest form or technique of meditation. The technique for sometime has been disputed to be much less of the original meditation basics. The technique is simple process that does not involve any much effort and its natural procedure. Manually it’s done 20 minutes a day, done while one is seating down comfortably and with eyes closed. In most cases it has been defined has not to be classified as not a mode of religion or tradition. The technique is a major one that is used by many people and has been researched as one major technique that improves self-development. The process of the technique involves allowing the mind to settle inwards and then concentrate to experience the source of thought. It’s said that these can be achieved through pure awareness which later described as transcendental consciousness. Transcendental consciousness is achieved when one achieves the feeling of innermost self, a state of alertness and significant brain function. These effects present a body resting pint which therefore is the climax of the meditation. The technique is being by an approximate 5 million people all over the world. The method borrowed the ancient enlighten of the verdict tradition in India.

Concentration Meditation

Concentration meditation like the name suggests does not involve much activity but merely on the specific point of concentration in the meditation process. The technique focus on the concentration of one point of the body. The process involves various positions and activities of meditation including the watching the breath and staring at candle flame, repeating a word for countless times, listening to a particular noise and or sometimes reciting a rosary. The single activity will be done at a time; these will prove to be difficult for starters as one will only be able to perform it with a shorter time then improve for longer periods. The technique majors in refocusing on the awareness of the chosen object of attention every time a meditator feels that his mind is wondering. The technique also discourages the pursuit of random thoughts hence with the attention on one object you let them go hence improving overall concentration. This technique for sometime become central to any meditation processes, hence a common technique.

Mindfulness Meditation

The method is interesting and simple as has the practitioner will observe the wandering thoughts as they move away from the mind. The objective of observing is not to get involv4ed in the mental process or in any case judge, but to identify each mental note as it comes out. Through the overall process of mindfulness, a meditator is able to see and identify thoughts or feelings as they move in particular patterns. Thereby, overtime of observing one is able to identify human tendency on emotions, feelings and thoughts thus identify pleasant and unpleasant parts. The more one practices the more one will reach the state of balance of feelings. Mindfulness can be practiced both with concentration, these combination is common in deriving a greater stillness than anything else.

Other Meditation Techniques

Over time there are various other techniques. These other techniques borrow certain essentials from the above techniques or there are different at every level. An example is the daily meditation that is practiced by Buddhists that focuses in cultivation of compassion, a process that includes envisioning the negative occasions and then recasting for positive light through light transformation. Other meditations are the Chinese tai chi and chi Kung which are classified as walking meditation.

In conclusion, whatever the technique that is use, meditation requires the achieving of brain training and inducement of the consciousness. The concentration and mindfulness techniques define a strong meditation process and are more preferable for meditation believers. The transcendental meditation is also common for liberals who wish for a clear and simple mediation process. In the end, one needs to achieve an overall meditation position.

Meditation Pillows

Meditation Pillows

Besides reliable perform and following guidelines on how to meditate, likely the other most significant thing in accomplishing a state of deep meditation is correct body alignment. It is very important to know complete details of meditation before proceeding for meditation postures, comprehending why the correct posture is significant and which pillows facilitate correct body alignment permitting you to sit snugly and rightly during meditation. Choosing the correct meditation pillows depends on a few criteria encompassing meditation posture, proper alignment, solace, and the gaze and seems of the cushion.

There are meditation pillows for persons who meditate to hold the inward peace inside their bodies to reduce any agony or discomfort while seated in a certain place or pose for a long time span of time. It is important to find a meditation position that is most snug for you and your body type. The meditation pillows don’t give equal support to all who purchase it. It varies with different body structures and postures. So, it is important to select the best meditation pillows that are suited for them. Find a place proposing you the greatest steadiness and proper body alignment of the head, neck, bears and spine. Meditation pillows came to fruition in Asia when they were used only by wealthy Asian men to rest on because the dyestuffs and fabrics on the pillows were very costly.

Meditation Pillows

If you desire to learn meditation, it might be helpful to get a snug meditation cushion rather than of just a pillow. This meditation cushion was really a mat made of woven lawn and was extremely uncommon. You just cannot purchase these meditation pillows today because the mats are hand-woven. Meditation pillows are the devices of meditation perform. The most significant thing when meditating is to be snug. They help support the body in diverse meditation postures along with proper alignment and comfort.

Meditation needs an individual to sit in a particular position for longer span of time. They can be discovered in specialty shops or organized online. Meditation pillows were designed to help avert farther matters throughout meditating and seated sores as well as make any kind of seated meditation, comfortable and misalignment of the back or spine. Those meditation pillows come in diverse dimensions, titles, and with distinct kinds of fillings, which make their own benefits.

Find the right meditation pillows for your body

There are many meditation pillows accessible on the market in a variety of forms, dimensions and with numerous loads up components. It is important to take the time to think about each of the designs and how they can best match your personal needs. The color of the cushion may not be too significant, though most persons gaze for a hue that will fit with the hue design of their meditation space. If you have difficulty seated in a cross-legged position, a meditation bench might be a flawless choice for you. Some things you will desire to address is your own size and flexibility, the size of the cushion, the fabric and how well the filling carries your body. No issue which posture is assumed during meditation, a firm base, correct alignment to support the body and wind, and solace is significant.

Sustaining correct body alignment is key constituent in being adept to elongate your time seated in meditation. In all seated meditation postures, it is significant to hold the spine straight with the smaller part of the back bent. Keeping the spine directly permits the diaphragm to move without coercion permitting respiring to become deep, easy and natural. If your brain is focused on body aches and discomfort, the goal of accomplishing a state of deep meditation can stay vague. Thighs should gradient down from the pelvis to the knees sufficient to tile the pelvis forward and supply required support for the lower back.

Advantages of Meditation Pillows

A good meditation pillow assists to sustain a strong posture and provides calm of brain. With proper support and comfort, you can concentrate more and can meditate for more time. It will assist in the movement of power up and down the spine and your breathing will flow without coercion. Using meditation pillows gives below benefits.

a) Proper support

When meditating, one needs ample support if not they will face a lot of discomfort. Without this the body will succumb to the shape of the exterior on it rests. This generally results in a lot of impairment to hips, bears, spine and head to misalignment. Meditation pillows are utilized to enhance the posture and grade of solace while meditating.

b) Posture

Meditators usually use more than one posture for meditation. It helps to meditate in different postures like sitting, kneeling and other postures. Meditation pillows help in improving large postures and engaging in diverse meditation postures.

c) Proper alignment

This is very significant to sit in a correct position and get good advantages from it. The spine desires to be erected with the lower back bent interior, the upper back curved out somewhat. The neck should be curved in minor and the head level. Proper alignment supports your body postures. A meditation cushion presents the best of solace and work in the direction of minimizing stress one tends to experience on the spinal components.

Prepare your meditation plan after knowing all the details and about required accessories. Enjoy the benefits with best meditation pillows.

Mindfulness Meditation

With the advancement in latest world, the stress levels of every individual are very high. It is very important for them to control their stress and relax to the maximum possible extent. Meditation is one such option to get relief from stress and proper meditation definitely gives you best results. There are different types of meditations as well and one famous type among them is mindfulness meditation.

What is Mindfulness Meditation?

In mindfulness meditation, the main intention is to achieve a mind that is stable and calm. It is also called shamatha meditation. Through mindfulness meditation, the individual is just evolving and reinforcing it, and finally that leads to stay peacefully in the brain without any disturbance or thought process. Usually, human brain keeps on thinking and it doesn’t have any end. To control such thought process, the best way is to do mindfulness meditation. Mindfulness meditation is a concept of meditation, inherited from the Buddhist tradition, and is increasingly being employed in psychology to alleviate a variety of mental and personal situation. The technical part of this study is under the subject of psychology.

Mindfulness meditation is a spiritual or psychological faculty that, according to the educating of the Buddha, is advised to be of large significance in the route to enlightenment. Mindfulness practice, inherited from the Buddhist tradition, is being engaged in psychology including mental and personal situation, anxiety, compulsive and obsession disorders and in the avoidance of relapse in depression and pharmaceutical addiction. Cultivating the practice of doing mindfulness meditation is the key to overcome suffering and identifying natural wisdom both in our own and that in others as well.

How do we go about it?

Getting complete grip on mindfulness meditation is little tough but can be achieved easily with continuous effort and practice. The sitting perform of mindfulness meditation donates us exactly this opening to become more present with us just as we are. The eyes are somewhat open and the look rests gently on the floor in front of you. If you are closer to the wall than that, let your look rest on the wall wherever it countries as if you were looking that expanse in front. The look is not firmly concentrated. The hands to be in rest position on the laps.

Mindfulness meditation is unique in that it is not administered toward getting us to be distinct from how we already are. Rather than, it helps us become cognizant of what is currently factual instant by moment. Studies said that practicing mindfulness meditation educates us how to be unconditionally present; that is, it assists us be present with anything is happening, no issue what it is.

Controlling the thoughts and creating a favorable environment

There are certain situations that are cooperative to do mindfulness meditation. It is always important to choose a calm and peaceful environment while you do meditation. If the surroundings are so disturbed it creates irritated, then definitely your practice of meditation is going to be affected. When we conceive the right natural environment it’s simpler to perform. It is also said that you should meditate in a location that is not too loud or disturbing, and you should not be in a position where your brain is going to be effortlessly provoked into wrath or jealousy or other emotions. For strict mindfulness meditation, the look should be much focused and there shouldn’t be any sort of deviation.

You are supposed to be focused on nose and at the same time the eyes shouldn’t be closed. Try to decrease sensory input as much as possible. Try to work with the mind and the more we lift our look, the more distracted we are going to be. Being mindful is not a substitute for really participating in our habits and taking care of our own and other ones’ needs. In detail, the more mindful we are the more skillful and energetic we can be in compassionate activity. When we are mindful, we show up for our lives; we don’t overlook them in being distracted or in desiring for things to be distinct. Instead, if certain thing needs to be altered we are sufficient to realize what desires to be finished.

An important issue is that when we are in a state of mindfulness meditation, there still understands. In supplement to diverse forms of meditation founded round specific meetings, there are mindfulness teaching exercises that evolve awareness all through the day utilizing designated ecological cues. Sometimes people think that an individual who is in deep meditation doesn’t understand what is going on that it is like being slumbering. The aim is to make mindfulness vitally continuous. In fact, there are meditative states where you refute sense perceptions their function, but this is not the accomplishment of mindfulness meditation. This approach is especially cooperative when it is difficult to set up a normal meditation practice. What we are talking about is very functional. Mindfulness perform is easy and completely feasible. And because we are employed with the brain that knowledge life directly, just by sitting and doing not anything, we are doing a marvelous allowance. But try your best by conceiving the required natural environment and hold on performing. You will definitely relish the fruits of performing mindfulness meditation.

What is Meditation?

In today’s faster world people are undergoing lots of stress. and many want to find out what is meditation, and how it can help them achieve more peaceful life. Currently, where tension catches on faster than the eye can see or the brain can see meditation is no more a luxury rather it is a necessity. Meditation can be a productive pattern of tension reduction and has the potential to improve value of life and decline healthcare charges. To be unconditionally happy and to have calm of brain, there is this necessity of knowing what a meditation is. Meditation is defined as the practice in which every individual induces a mode of consciousness or teaches the mind either to recognize some benefit or as an end in itself. There is little quality clues matching one meditation technique with another or meditation with relaxation methods.

What is Meditation? A technique used to train the mind to become conscious..

what is meditation Despite all its popularity, today very couple of us really understands what meditation is. Meditation is a technique in which the entire thoughts and memories are controlled in such a way that only consciousness and awareness are conscious. Some people consider meditation as a mental engrossment on certain thing where as some others address that we meditate when we envisage certain thing that gives us calm or satisfaction. All these procedures are being with one goal to slow down and, eventually, completely halt the incessant undertaking of our minds. Meditation may engage generating an emotional state for the reason of analyzing that state such as anger, abhorrence, etc. or cultivating specific mental response to diverse phenomena, such as compassion.

The word meditation carries distinct meanings in distinct contexts. Meditation has been practiced since antiquity as a component of many devout customs and convictions. The rest in meditation is deeper than the deepest doze that you can ever have. Meditation has a calming effect and directs perception inward until untainted perception is accomplished, recounted as the person will be awake interior whereas his external thoughts and emotions are in control. When the brain becomes free from agitation, it is then the meditation happens with calm and peace mind. The person no more thinks about his problems.

Inner Meditation

The way to anyone’s heart is not through good food but through good communication. You can win hearts and contentions in the most skillful manner. All you need to understand is how to put forward your ideas and thoughts in the way that serves both reasons. It definitely is an art, but you need not proceed to some school to discover it. Just sit down, close your eyes, and concentrate on your breathe. Meditation is not a concentration, exercises, mental effort and losing control. Engrossment is an effort to fix the vigilance on a specific object or concept for a long time span of time. The methods used in visualization are another kind of concentration. Meditation doesn’t mean just sitting and breathing. They may help set up some balance if under the guidance of a true expert. Their practice without a factual religious aim only leads to an imbalance in the right conduit.

Thoughtless perception is accomplished through the lifting of the Kundalini. Mental effort is not used to get relief from stress; hands are used to eliminate the blockages. External noise, voices, colors and involuntary movements have nothing to do with meditation or spirituality. These are symptoms of decrease of awareness and decrease of command over some parts of us.

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Why Meditation?

Meditation is glimpsed by a number of investigators as possibly one of the most productive forms of tension decrease. While tension decrease methods have been cultivated and investigated in the West for roughly 70 years, the facts and figures shows that they are not consistently productive. Eastern meditative methods have been evolved, tested and refined over hundreds of generations with the specific aim of evolving a method by which the layperson can frequently attain a state of mental calm and tranquility, i.e. Respite from stress. It is a scheme that can effortlessly be acclimatized to the needs of clinicians and their patients in the West. The annals of meditation are intimately compelled up with the devout context inside which it was practiced.

These activities are not actually meditation they are substitutes for meditation because it is normally very difficult to halt our minds all together. In truth, meditation is a state of thoughtless perception. It is not an act of doing; it is completely a state of awareness. The advantages of meditation are manifold and it is a very essential performs for mental hygiene. A calm brain, good engrossment, clarity of insight, enhancement in connection, blossoming of abilities and talents, an unshakeable inner power, healing, the ability to attach to an inward source of energy, relaxation, and good luck are all natural results of meditating frequently.

Meditation moves you into the space where you are adept to see everything just the way they are and not as good or awful. This proficiency arrives from the remarkable calm and calm within calmness like the huge expanse of the sea, free from turmoil. When you seem serene and attractive inside, you seem everything outside is attractive. Apart from these, there are numerous advantages with mediation if done properly. It is always suggested to consult an expert and learn the concepts from him before starting and enjoy its benefits to the maximum possible extent. Know how to meditate and get utmost relief from stress.

Yoga And Meditation

Many people think that yoga and meditation are one and the same. That would be an erroneous generalization. Let us take a closer look at yoga and meditation.

The word “Yoga” is ancient Sanskrit for “union”, and is used to describe that practice of attaining the state of union or connection between the individual’s soul and the spirit, or the universe as a whole. In other words, yoga is a state of spiritual union. People are under the impression that yoga is composed of the complicated poses and stretches that are always advertised. No, it’s a much broader discipline. In fact, there is what we call the Eight Limbs of Yoga: Yama (Do’s), Niyama (Don’ts), Asanas (Positions), Pranayama (Control of breath), Pratyahara (Sense withdrawal), Dharana (Concentration), Dhyana (Meditation), and Samadhi (Spiritual ecstasy).

Those who say that yoga IS meditation wouldn’t be too far from the truth, then. But to say that you are doing meditation when you are simply doing the yoga poses wouldn’t be quite right, either. From the discussion above, we could surmise that meditation is a part of yoga. Basically, meditation is a spiritual state of consciousness or awareness. It is being integrated into most, if not all, yoga classes whereby, after doing the stretches and poses, the yoga practitioners would settle down for meditation.

Yoga and meditation are similar in the fact that they are both states people aspire to have. Yogis (what yoga practitioners call themselves) use postures (asanas) in order to achieve a state of union of soul and spirit, and then they meditate in order to achieve a state of awareness about their bodies.

In the ensuing discussion, let us use yoga in a different context. Let us refer to yoga’s Third Limb, which is the Asanas (Postures), to compare yoga and meditation.

Practicing the yoga postures requires physical exertion while integrating the mind and spirit. Meditation, on the other hand, is purely a mental exercise. Part of the reason why people practice yoga is for physical strength, balance and flexibility, while keeping track of their breathing. Yoga and meditation both help the practitioner improve their moods, have mental clarity and improve their focus while achieving an inner peace and calm. Meditation, however, cannot be expected to help you increase your overall athletic ability, or decrease back pain.

Yoga and meditation are both effective at making a person more relaxed. Both put emphasis on the breath, touting it as the ruler of the mind and body. When practicing the yoga poses, practitioners and instructors are very particular about how one breathes in and out. The same is true in meditation. Breathing properly will help one achieve that calm and peaceful state of mind that is being aimed for.

Yoga and meditation also require certain supplies or tools. A yoga mat is standard when it comes to asanas practitioners. This is to provide comfort and support. In meditation, meditation cushions, pillows and benches are often used. Both also require the use of the appropriate clothes. Yoga clothes are just as important as meditation clothing. Other supplies used by yoga and meditation include CDs, which normally contain sounds of nature or soft, soothing music.

Yoga practitioners are also particular about the specific places where to perform the postures. It’s the same thing with meditation. In order to practice yoga and meditation, practitioners tend to look for an area that is quiet, not at all crowded, and well-ventilated. These are all contributory to their focus and concentration once they start their yoga poses or once they start meditating.

When you start wondering what the difference is between yoga and meditation, it would be best to remember that yoga is more than just the postures. Once you have reconciled yourself with the fact that yoga is more encompassing than what you originally thought, then you could immediately say that meditation is an extension of yoga.

Meditation Supplies

Meditation Supplies And Their Importance

Practicing meditation is not as simple as sitting down, closing your eyes, and staying still for long moments. No matter how skilled you are at ignoring everything else and concentrating on bringing your body and mind to a meditative state, there are still things that could interfere. The simplest movement, the slightest twinge of discomfort, and your concentration would be shot down. These distractions can be easily avoided if you are prepared for them, and one way to do that is to have the proper meditation supplies.

Let us take a look at the most popular and most commonly used meditation supplies.

Meditation Clothing. Of course, you couldn’t expect to be able to meditate well if you’re not dressed comfortably, do you? Some may be all right with wearing loose shirts and pants, but others are more particular about their meditation clothing. Many options are available in shops that sell meditation supplies, from yoga sweats to the traditional loose-fitting Japanese samue. There are even meditation shawls available.
Meditation cushions or pillows. Comfort is very important when you’re meditating. It would be difficult to clear your mind of distractions if you are seated on a hard and uneven floor. A cushion will provide support for your body during meditation. Among the meditation supplies that fall under the cushion category are the round-shaped zafu, and the zabuton.
Meditation benches. Not all meditation supplies work for everyone. While meditation cushions and pillows are generally preferred, there are special instances when people prefer to use meditation benches instead. These are perfect for people who cannot sit comfortably on the floor, or those who have spine alignment problems.
Mats. Yoga practitioners who also incorporate meditation into their practice also consider their yoga mat as part of their meditation supplies.
Candles and incense. Burning incense or aromatic candles can also help put you in a meditative state. Meditation supplies also include the burners and bowls used in burning incense. There are specific scents that will help you in your meditation. Charcoal can also be included, since they are also often used to burn powdered incense.
Oil lamps. Lighting also sets the mood. Those who prefer to meditate in the late afternoons or evenings prefer a dimly-lit environment. Oil lamps and candles would be a good way to set the mood.
CDs. In meditation, all your senses will be engaged. Many practitioners find it easier to relax and meditate when they are listening to something relaxing. There are a lot of CDs with appropriate music or sounds that will help you achieve this, whether it’s soft music, or sounds of trickling water or nature.
Timers and alarm clocks. Including a timer or an alarm clock to your meditation supplies is also a good idea. This will save you the effort of having to break off your meditation just to check the time. Before starting your meditation, set the timer and the alarm, so you don’t have to check the time every now and then. And it shouldn’t be just any alarm clock, either. Try choosing meditation timers. You don’t want to be ruthlessly jarred from your meditation with the shrill sound of your alarm clock, do you? Meditation timers are designed to emit soft and soothing sounds, gently rousing you from your meditative state.
Special supplies depending on the type of meditation. There are people who practice specific types of meditation. Practitioners of Tibetan Buddhist meditation techniques require the use of mala beads and prayer wheels. Some even make use of gongs. You’ll find that Tibetan Buddhist meditation supplies also include Buddhist statues and singing bowls. In some cases, do not be surprised to find many people more comfortable doing meditation when in front of an altar. Thus, their meditation supplies would also include altars, shrine tables, decorative altar cloths, and plaques that depict the countenance of various gods and goddesses, and the like.

There are a lot of meditation supplies and accessories to choose from. At the end of the day, knowing which meditation supplies you’re supposed to own would depend on your specific needs.

Meditation For Beginners

Meditation For Beginners : What Every one Should Know

As in most things, expect to put in a lot of practice before you can fully say that you are accomplished when it comes to meditation. Many are daunted by the thought of meditation that they give up even before they have even begun. As a result, they look up any information they could get regarding meditation for beginners, and even those could not put their minds at ease.

But everyone has to start somewhere, right? Here are a few things every beginner should know about meditation.

1. Have a clear purpose in mind. Why meditate? If you have a clear purpose in mind, then there’s a greater chance that you would be able to sustain it for a long time. Keep in mind that meditation is an active process that will engage your body and mind. It’s not something that you should do now, then pick up again when you feel like it.

2. Read up and listen. There are many articles and books on meditation for beginners that you could pick up and read. If you’re apprehensive about it still, try looking for those that are written by other beginners. Knowing you feel the same as those who have gone through the same phase would give you a boost. There are also instructional videos and audio files that you can get your hands on. These have been known to be effective motivational tools that encourage meditation for beginners.

3. Choose your meditation program. There are many types of meditation program that you can choose, particularly programs that focus on meditation for beginners. It would be better if you start slow and simple. Gradually, as you are getting the hang of it, you can transition into the other types of meditation.

4. Get to know your body. Being familiar with your body, particularly its physical abilities and your overall health, would also play a part in your choice of meditation program. If you have specific injuries, you may only aggravate them if you choose to do walking meditation or other more difficult poses.

5. Wear comfortable clothes. Clothes and footwear are rarely discussed anymore, but when it comes to meditation for beginners, it is important to start off on the right foot, and that includes wearing clothes that are comfortable.

6. Pick your tools properly. You might be tempted to go out and buy all those fancy-looking (and very expensive!) meditation supplies. If you have money to spare, that’s not a problem. However, it would be better if you get the meditation supplies you need first, and make your choice well. Sometimes, the expensive meditation cushions aren’t really the most comfortable ones for you.

7. Meditate with someone. Beginners would feel more motivated if they’re meditating with other people.

8. Warm up. In every meditation for beginners manual (if there is one), warm up is highly encouraged. Some stretching and easy breathing exercises should be performed in order to loosen any stiff or sore muscles.

9. Pick a time and place. The best time for meditation is early in the morning, at sunrise, or even before the sun is set to rise. Pick a specific place where you will do your meditation. As much as possible, don’t do it in the same place where you sleep, work or eat. Compartmentalization in this regard is highly recommended.

10. Start small. Meditation for beginners doesn’t have to immediately last for an hour. In fact, it would be better if you start small. Try meditating for 3 to 5 minutes first. And then, as you progress, you could lengthen the time accordingly until you are able to choose a time frame that you are most comfortable with.

11. Commit. Meditation is for the long haul. As mentioned earlier, it’s not something you would do whenever the desire is sparked in you. At the very least, commit to meditating every day. Remember that meditation is supposed to be a life-long commitment.

There are really no specific guidelines or manuals on meditation for beginners. There are no hard and fast rules. It’s more a matter of knowing your own body, knowing your limitations, and then working with them until such time that you are able to overcome them. Happy meditating!

Benefits of Meditation

Benefits of Meditation You Should Know About

You’d be surprised at what you could gain from meditating, even for a few minutes every day. Let us take a look at the many benefits of meditation.

Benefits of Meditation to Physical Health

For starters, meditation puts the body in a deep state of relaxation, slowing down the heart rate and regulating your breathing, both of which, in turn, effectively lower the consumption of oxygen. This enables the body to be at rest and allow it to repair cells and tissues, reenergizing and revitalizing it so it could deal with whatever challenges may come ahead.
Managing pain is also one of the physiological benefits of meditation. You can go on exercising for extended periods because your tolerance is much higher and your so-called ‘threshold of pain’ is much wider. Most women find that they can deal with painful symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome or PMS (migraine, cramps, restlessness, and anxiety attacks, among others) when they meditate.
The benefits of meditation with respect to one’s physical and physiological health also extend to disease management. Meditation contributes a lot when it comes to bolstering your immune system, making you impervious to most ailments. Many chronic diseases, such as arthritis, asthma and various allergies, have been resolved through meditation. Even those who have undergone major and minor surgery have been advised to undergo meditation as part of their post-op healing and recovery programs. The risk of cardiovascular diseases is also lowered considerably, thanks to meditation.
If you look at the programs of some rehab centers that deal primarily with various types of addiction, it is highly likely that you’ll find meditation in there. Meditation effectively reduces dependence on various substances, even smoking.
Did you know that weight loss is also one of the many benefits of meditation? By increasing your endurance and stamina and regulating your energy levels, you can extend your time at the gym without any trouble at all. Aside from that, however, meditation will also change your outlook towards exercise and make you more inclined to engage in various
physical and athletic activities.

Benefits of Meditation to Mental Health

Meditation also has a lot of psychological benefits. Basically, meditating will give you more control over your emotions, thoughts and feelings. This way, you will be able to focus more on the things that matter or are important to you.
Emotional stability is one of the most sought-after benefits of meditation. People meditate in the hopes that they will be able to handle stress and pressure and give them more confidence, especially in themselves. In fact, you could even say that meditation can singlehandedly alter the way you look at a lot of things, and also change how you deal with people around you. Thus, you can improve your relationship with your family, friends, and with everyone around you.
Aside from improving your outlook and your overall personality, meditation can also increase your empathy and listening skills. Emotional maturity is not something that can be easily achieved, but you can definitely make use of meditation to have it.

Benefits of Meditation to Spiritual Health

Meditation is one way of achieving harmony and oneness of mind and body, so you can gain a deeper understanding about yourself, especially in the grand scheme of things. Things you normally would never have done before – like offer your understanding and forgiveness, perhaps – will now become easier. Peace of mind and enlightenment are what everyone seeks whenever they meditate, and they will definitely come to you, albeit in varying doses. To say that one of the benefits of meditation is making you a better person wouldn’t be too far off the mark.

There are so many benefits of meditation that it would be difficult to list them all down. Suffice it to say that, although we all seek different things – general or specific – when we meditate, we will definitely find them if we do it right.

Meditation Pillow

Meditation Pillow: What It’s For

There is more to a meditation pillow than meets the eye. You probably think its sole purpose is to provide comfort while you are in the process of meditating. While that is partly true, that’s not the only advantage that can be derived from it.

The Importance of a Meditation Pillow

Meditation is an act that engages the mind as well as the body. You cannot get one involved without the other. Do not expect to be fully immersed in your meditation when your knees or your lower back is causing you some pain or discomfort. You may opt to pick any pillow from your bedroom, or stack a few mats to sit on – anything to provide cushioning for your body. This has been the practice of many people, to their detriment.
Monks in the past didn’t have the luxury of using a meditation pillow during their hours and hours of meditation. As a result, calluses and bruises on their buttocks, legs and knees are common. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same willpower and discipline that these monks have. Imagine trying to meditate while feeling those twinges of pain. Then you are not meditating at all, but actually silently enduring your pain. “Peace of mind” is going to be difficult to achieve when you’re wincing and cringing the whole time.
A meditation pillow is primarily designed to provide the support that your body needs when in a state of meditation. The part of your body which gets the most support is your lower back, or your spine. Eliminating any stress on your back or your spine will result to a good posture – an important factor in meditation.
A good and strong posture will ensure the smooth and unhindered movement of energy up and down your spine and all over your body. You’ll be able to breathe more freely, too.
Having the right meditation pillow will also help lengthen your meditation time. Since you are supported and are comfortable, you can definitely sit longer in meditation.

Choosing the Right Meditation Pillow

When choosing which meditation pillow is right for you, there are a number of things to consider. First, you have to take into account the most frequent meditation pose or position that you adapt. If you are suffering from any spinal or other health or medical issues, you also have to factor those in. The appearance of the meditation pillow is also important for many people, although they rank quite low in terms of priority.
This might also rank low in importance when you are shopping for a meditation pillow, but it plays a crucial role when it comes to the comfort it provides: the material used. Buckwheat is one of the most commonly used materials because of their ability to conform to the body. However, more modern practitioners think it too “hippie” or “old school”, which is why another alternative used is crushed velvet. There are some manufacturers who opt to use natural materials, using recycled plastic bottles and other recyclables as fillings for the pillows.
Once you have taken all that in consideration, it is time to go through the various types of meditation pillows and cushions available in the market. Shapes of these pillows and cushions vary; either you choose the rectangular zabuton, which are flat. If you want a puffier pillow, go for a zafu. This meditation pillow comes in the traditional round shape and is highly recommended for meditation practitioners of average height. For taller people and those who aren’t as flexible, a meditation pillow shaped like a horseshoe is often recommended.

The key here is to know exactly what you and your body needs when you are practicing meditation. In order to reach that plane where your mind and body merges into one, there is no room for pain. Help the process along by eliminating any potential sources of discomfort and using the right meditation pillow.

Meditation Clothing

Meditation Clothing, Because Your Comfort Is Important

Are you aware of meditation clothing?

What do you normally wear when you meditate? Your old pajamas? A loose shirt and a pair of old sweats? Or maybe those baggy pants and top that have already seen better days and already fraying at the hems?
They say that the most important consideration when you do any activity is to be comfortable with what you’re wearing. However, suitability and appropriateness to the specific activity in question are also important. You may think you are most comfortable wearing a tank top and your old and comfy pajama bottoms, but no matter how versatile they may seem, they won’t be appropriate for all activities.
Take meditating, for instance. Just as there are proper items of clothing for working out at the gym, or for playing specific sports or games, there are also proper meditation clothing for practitioners of any form of meditation.

Looking Good While Meditating

Admit it: one of the primary considerations in choosing one’s clothing while working out, performing yoga, or practicing meditation is what looks good. Fashionable, even. However, when it comes to meditation, the emphasis should be on comfort more than looks and aesthetics. More than being stylish, meditation clothing should be functional and utilitarian.
We’re not saying you should do as the monks do and wear those shapeless and loose-fitting robes, though. You can still look good and far from frumpy while wearing meditation clothing.
The usual meditation clothing used by some people includes leggings made out of some natural or organic material. Some even prefer wearing drawstring shorts, sweat pants (or what others like to call yoga pants) or Capri pants. Loose-fitting tops are also popular, especially the lengthy ones, which are inspired by Indian kurtas, which also have long sleeves. Many who practice yoga meditation, however, also make use of body hugging meditation clothing. But there are also those meditation practitioners who prefer wearing tank tops, since they find them more conducive to letting energy flow through and around them.
Now there are also meditation tops that look similar to Tai Chi uniforms. They come in different colors and some even have optional pockets, adding to their functionality. More often than not, they are made from linen or silk, or a blend of both.
Being Comfortable While Meditating
One of the cardinal rules in meditating is to NEVER wear uncomfortable clothes. Here are some things you should remember when picking out your meditation clothing, with comfort as your primary concern.

Choose meditation clothing that are made of soft and light cloth or material. Heavy and bulky clothing only tends to ruin one’s posture and mess with your overall relaxation.
Since you will be seated for prolonged periods, you may want to choose meditation clothing made out of fabric that is stretchable and provides ventilation to your skin.
Many people are most comfortable when wearing clothes of a specific color. If you feel more at ease with white, then you should definitely choose white meditation clothing.
The fit of your clothes is also important. Loose-fitting meditation clothing is highly recommended. Leggings, on the other hand, are quite snug instead of loose-fitting. However, they have the advantage of being snug without giving you that feeling of being suffocated.
The material of the meditation clothing you’ve chosen should also provide enough warmth to encourage a calm state of mind.

Now, we’re not saying you should go to the nearest sports apparel store and buy those expensive athletic wear purposely made for yoga and for meditation. Spending an unreasonable amount of money will only stress you out and defeat the purpose of keeping stresses and pressures at bay through meditation.
There are no hard and fast rules on what you should wear while meditating. At the end of the day, wear meditation clothing that you are most comfortable with, and which encourage you to achieve a calm and peaceful frame of mind.