More about Meditation

Meditation is not just a method to relax the body, as some people think. It is much more than that. Its earnest performance leads to freedom from obsessing, nagging thoughts and worries, and to inner balance, peace of mind and inner strength, and may also lead to spiritual awakening and enlightenment.
Though it plays an important role in various religions and spiritual practices, it is actually a practice that is free from all religious connotations.
It has always been practiced everywhere, from ancient times until today. There has always been the desire to go within, to find what is beyond the physical form, and to find the real spirit and the relation between mankind, the world and the creator.
There are many forms, techniques and traditions of meditation, which are practiced and followed for various reasons and aims, such as for gaining peace of mind, spiritual growth and spiritual awakening, as well as for relaxation, health, success, mind power or the development of psychic abilities.
Meditation calms down the body and the mind, reduces stress and anxiety, normalizes the blood pressure and has a healing effect on the body. It improves the concentration power, sharpens the mind and strengthens the intuition. Its constant practice reduces the number of restless thoughts in the mind, brings peace of mind, happiness and bliss, and in its higher stages, enlightenment.
In order to obtain results it has to be practiced every day, at least once a day, twice better, for at least 15 minutes, though a beginner may start with only 10 minutes a day.
In a very general sense, there are two forms of meditation. One requires that one focuses the mind on something concrete, such as the breathing process, a concrete object or a word or a thought, and there is what may be termed as "formless meditation", in which one focuses on the inner silence, inner self or on nothing at all. This form of meditation can only be practiced after one is well trained with the first form.

Here are a few tips and advice:

1. It is important to meditate every day.

2. Meditation should be approached with patience, love and an open mind. This is the attitude that brings results.

3. Do not meditate when you are tired.

4. Find a place where you can be alone and undisturbed.

5. Sit in a comfortable position with the spine erect.

6. Take a few slow deep breaths.

7. For a minute or two, evoke in your mind some pleasant memory.

8. Think for about one minute about the benefits this practice will bring you
.
9. Start meditating calmly, yet with focused attention. The more focused the attention is, the easier it is to ignore thoughts and other distractions.

10. Start with a simple technique, such as:
a) Focusing your attention on your incoming and outgoing breath.
b) Thinking about an inspiring quote.