Meditation
Meditation for the beginner Given our hectic, stress-filled lives, the idea of meditation is enticing. However, it is our very lifestyle that makes meditation so difficult for the beginner. You juggle so much in your everyday life just to keep up. Your head is probably constantly filled with unfinished tasked, appointments to be kept and keeping track of the kids and their busy social and sporting lives. All of this intrudes into your meditation time making the art of having a quiet mind seem almost impossible. Benefits of meditation You've probably heard about the benefits of meditation. -Better health -Better sleep -Calmer -Less stress -More focus -Better concentration First-time meditating problems You may have tried meditating once or twice. It sounds so easy, just sit down and clear your mind for twenty minutes. But when you try it, for the first time, you'll probably find that 2 minutes feels like two hours. Or your mind goes off on a tangent of its own and you will find that twenty minutes later you've planned the dinner menu, rehearsed the conversation with the bank manager and remembered that day years ago when you were in LA on holidays. Given that your mind is probably only quiet when you are asleep these problems are the normal experience for those trying to learn to meditate. If you have a lot of determination and willpower you will stick at it and succeed. However, with all the time pressures on us today, you may give it up as a boring waste of time. An easier way to learn to meditate The good news is that there is an easier way for you to learn how to meditate. You can do a form of active meditation. Active meditation You do not have to be sitting still to meditate. Anything that you do and give your full attention can be a form of meditation. If you have a run away mind, an active form of meditation will probably be easier for you at least to start with. Doing an active form of meditation means that your mind does not have to be completely still. Instead you give it something to concentrate on. This helps your powers of focus and concentration, you keep your mind totally on one thing. This is much easier than thinking about nothing. One of the most common forms of active meditation is walking meditation. You can do a walking meditation anywhere. Keep your attention on the step you are taking. Feel the ground under your feet as you place each foot down and the muscles in your legs as you move them forward. Co-ordinate your step with your breath, so each step takes the time of one breath. During your time of walking meditation there is only one thing in your life and that is the step you are taking in that moment. Make that step as smooth, calm and beautiful as you can. Keep your focus totally on the step you are taking, one step at a time. You will find that your mind wanders, particularly in the beginning, but when you notice that it has, simply bring your attention back to the step you are taking. Once you get the hang of it you will be in a beautiful, calm and blissful state. The important thing is to enjoy your meditation, so start out slowly. On your first attempt only meditate for 2-5 minutes, build this up over time. Other active meditation exercises Doing the dishes is another activity that is great for practicing your meditation. Cleaning your teeth, brushing your hair, even grocery shopping can be done in a state of meditation. Keep your attention totally on what you are doing. Use all your senses to keep you focused in the moment. Really notice the colors on the box of breakfast cereal, what does the box feel like when you pick it up? Is it smooth or textured? Is it heavy or light? What sounds do you hear as you push your trolley? Do your footsteps make a sound? Keep your attention on your brow chakra as you go about your daily lifelocated at the center of your forehead, as you go about your daily life. Also try to keep your focus soft, instead of looking at one thing that is straight in front, use your periphery vision to see 180 degrees. Try it now, when you are doing it correctly you will find that your mind is immediately calm. Your life can become a living meditation and every moment becomes special and joyful. It takes a lot of effort to start with but just keep trying, the rewards are well worth it. Kerry-Ann Cox is a natural healer, environmental scientist and author. She has written 'Seven Ancient Secrets for a Happy Life - Chakras' and the soon to be released 'How to do a Home Environmental Audit' For more articles and to find out more visit her website www.exaltedliving.com |
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