Benefits of Meditation
Meditation is a simple technique that is easy to learn and costs nothing to pursue but it does take practice. A meditation routine promotes relaxation, good health and sound sleep. The goal is simply to focus your mind and quiet your busy thoughts. It needn't be elaborate and doesn't require great amounts of research and learning. Just set aside some time and do it each day.
The purpose of meditation is to quiet the inner chatter of your thoughts and learn to focus your mind in silence. A study recently appeared in Psychosomatic Medicine which found that those who meditate had higher levels of antibodies which help fight illness, thereby boosting the immune system.
The study also found that meditating affects the part of the brain linked to positive emotion and increases levels of melatonin, a hormone which promotes deep and restful sleep and may even slow cell damage and protect against the growth of cancer cells.
If you want to use the Law of Attraction to bring positive and joyful things into your life, mediation quiets your mind and helps you focus on positive, peaceful thoughts. When you calm your mind, the vibrations you send out are automatically raised.
A Simple Meditation technique:
Many think meditation is mysterious and complicated but actually it is very simple.
Set aside a quiet time each day when you won’t be disturbed. Begin by meditating for 5 minutes if you can’t do more and work your way up to 10 to 15 minutes or more each day. A good time to meditate is first thing in the morning when your mind isn't caught up in the thoughts of the day.
Sit or lay in a comfortable position with your spine as straight as you can make it. Close your eyes and relax each part of your body in turn. Feel all the tension leave you.
Next concentrate on your breath. Count each inhalation and exhalation until you reach ten and then begin counting again.If you find your mind is wandering, gently pull your focus back to your breath.
Remember, it's natural for thoughts to try and intrude, it doesn't mean your meditation session is a "failure." Most people think an average of 60,000 different thoughts each day. The idea is to slow down and allow your mind to rest from those thousands of thoughts.
If you need help focusing your mind, try a meditation CD or tape. There are many guided meditations available or perhaps listen to some peaceful music. You can also choose a particular word or phrase to concentrate on.
When you are finished meditating, stretch and wake up to your body before moving around.
Start a daily meditation practice today
A daily meditation practice will bring you balance, clarity and an inner awareness. In times of stress, recall the calm, peaceful feeling you had when meditating. Gradually, over time, you will feel yourself handling stressful situations more easily.
Meditation also reminds us to slow down and live in the moment. For those who are on a spiritual path, meditation allows you to connect with the Creator of all things.
Remember the quote by Herman Melville, "Silence is the only voice of our God."
Prayer is you talking to God. In silence God talks to you.
Another way to practice meditation throughout the day is by mindfully living in the moment. When you're in traffic and stopped at a stop light, try clearing your mind, relaxing your body and focusing on your breath, just for the amount of time it takes for the light to change.
Practicing quieting your mind throughout the day will help you deal with stress and leave you more relaxed and at peace.
Relaxation brings health, balance and harmony to your life. Learn more about relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing.
© Copyright 2010 by Path2HealthyLiving
