Spiritual and Alternative Healing

Posted By lailah on January 5, 2009

Welcome back!

Anybody can learn how to meditate, even you! You may be asking, “why meditate?” Well, because the benefits of meditation are wonderful!

The purpose of meditation is to calm the mind and become more peaceful. Eventually you’ll always maintain a level of peacefulness and happiness. With a regular meditation practice, you’ll be more in control of your mind. Outside circumstances have a strong influence on the untrained mind. Our relationships end and we’re heartbroken. We meet somebody new and we become excited again. With regular meditation, you’ll find an inner peace and won’t be so readily influenced by outer situations including your mean boss!

Meditation is also known to lower blood pressure, raise levels of serotonin, and enhances the immune system.

It can be done anywhere and doesn’t require you to sit cross-legged until your legs numb while you wait hours for enlightenment (unless that’s your goal, in which case go for it!). You can practice different types of meditations for different results including visualization techniques, chakra meditation, and journey meditation.

• The first rule when it comes to learning how to meditate, is to not become frustrated! You’re still benefiting from being still.
• Find a comfortable and quiet location. Turn off your cell phone. Tell the kids, spouse, or roommates to keep themselves entertained for a while. You’re having you time.
• Sit comfortably.
• Put a pillow on the ground and sit comfortably, or sit in a chair if you prefer. Laying down will usually make you fall asleep which is not the point of meditation!
• Focus on the breath. To calm the mind from thoughts, focus on something else like the breath. Pay attention to your breath entering and leaving your nostrils. Yes, you will have many thoughts entering your mind and it may seem like you’re thinking more than ever! Really, you’re just becoming aware of the many thoughts you normally experience. Keep focusing on the breath and the thoughts will slow until you actually have a blank mind! Allow the thoughts to enter your mind, notice them and watch them leave.

Tip: If you find yourself falling asleep with your eyes closed, keep them partially open.

Tip: Another way to calm the mind is to focus your attention on a candle flame. Try these different variations and see which you prefer: Place the candle about 3-6 feet away from you and gaze at it. When you find your mind wandering, bring your attention to the candle flame.

The second variation is to gaze at the flame for a couple minutes, close your eyes and maintain the image of the flickering candle in your mind. Bring your attention back to the dancing flame whenever you find yourself thinking.

I learned additional techniques on overcoming common obstacles when meditating in this ebook. It is written by a yogi with over 30 years experience in teaching meditation.

• Don’t resist. When first learning how to meditate, you may become frustrated because you can’t quiet the mind. The harder you resist having thoughts, the more frustrated you’ll become and it will seem as if you’re not succeeding. Just flow with the process. With patience, practice, and trust you’ll notice a clear, peaceful, and happy feeling.




• Start slow. With even 10-15 minutes a day, you’ll see an improvement. If you’d like, gradually add more time to your meditation regimen until you feel satisfied.

Make meditation a daily practice and you’ll soon recognize the health benefits of learning how to meditate!

To get into a deeper meditation try the Deep Zen meditation audio program. Get into a state of calm and peace in faster time.

Here are some more articles you may enjoy

Finding Peace

How to Be Happy

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Categories: Spiritual Wellness
Tags: how to meditate, meditate, meditation, meditation techniques, meditation tips