Stress… it seems that nowadays, we all have to deal with it. The facts are that reducing stress is the number one reason why people start meditating. Basically, stress affects all of us in some measures and in some aspects of our lives, be it the case of our professional or personal lives. Stress is a permanent and indisputable element of our modern life, so there is no wonder that avoiding it or reducing it is a top priority.

Stress Meditation - Tips to Follow

There are four important steps to follow that base any stress meditation program. Here they are:

1. Find a suitable place for your stress meditation. How should this place be? First of all, it needs to be clean, natural, not too busy, and it has to be private and cozy. No disturbing sounds are allowed, no disturbing smells and no uncomfortable positions.

2. Breathing. How should you breathe? Firstly, you need to make sure you are breathing slowly and deeply. Take your time, feel the pure air that surrounds you and consider breathing like a way of purifying your body.

3. Reduce the tension. This might sound harder than it actually is. Basically, try to visualize your tension, to locate it. Is it in your chest, in your legs, in your head? Then you need to focus on pushing down your tension. Push it down more and more, until you eliminate it from your body. At the same time, you need to relax your muscles and to let loose of your contractions. Feel how your body gets lighter, once you pushed away the tension and relaxed your muscles.

4. Imagine. Visualize, create a place where you feel comfortable, where you feel safe and at peace. It can be anything, as long as all the feelings that come along with that certain place are positive. Enjoy the emotions and the sensations that the place presents to you. In order to do this, you can try it alone, or you can opt for a professional tape with directions on what to do and what to imagine.

What about Anxiety?

The main thing that needs to be known when correlating meditation, relaxation and stress is the fact that in order to reduce stress, we have to work, through stress meditation and relaxation methods, on a wide range of pother disturbing problems that come along with stress or that are implied by stress. Like what problems? Well, anxiety, frustration and even depression can be a result of stress or can amplify the effects of stress.

Anxiety is very common nowadays and it is expressed in a variety of forms: from the anxiety to fail (career-wise or on the personal territory) to the more serious anxiety that can be interpreted as real phobia or that can be a cause of trauma, anxiety causes stress and, at the same time, it can be caused by stress. This is the main reason why, in order to benefit from a complete relaxation and stress meditation, one should work in order to overcome anxiety and other forms undesirable emotions. In order to do so, visualizing safe, comfortable places is very important, as part of the stress meditation program. Good luck!

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Everyone has to start somewhere. Meditation is no different.

Beginners in meditation often worry about whether they are “doing it right”. And this worry causes them to have a less effective meditation session than if they had cast aside their doubts and worries.

One of the problems we experience in modern day life is that we expect to get instant results from everything. We’re trained to expect to get everything now, this instant. So if it takes more than a few minutes to learn how to do something as seemingly simple as meditation, we are inclined to either give up or think we’re doing something wrong.

Choosing the best meditation method to start with is worth taking some time over. There are so many different meditative techniques available that it can be hard to choose where to start.

I suggest that you start by picking a simple meditation method to begin with. You probably haven’t got the time that a Zen monk has decided to devote to meditation.

Qigong meditation is a good place to start. It’s easy to pick up, so your conscious mind is less likely to question whether or not the meditation technique you’re chosen is working for you.

We’re all after fast results, so why not start with a method that produces good results quickly?

Why Qigong meditation? Well, “Qi” means life-energy and “Gong” means exercise. Combined, these two forces will take your meditation to a good, beneficial level quickly and easily. Getting good, fast results will encourage you to continue with meditation, creating a virtuous circle. Which has got to be good!

Practicing Qi Gong Meditation for just 20 minutes a day is an easy way for beginner or experienced meditators alike to benefit from regular meditation.

Discovering the best meditation method for you is one of the highs you can experience in modern day life.

Too often, we are too stressed even to contemplate meditation, even though taking a few quiet minutes to meditate could be one of the best things we could do in our lives.

For the next week, experiment with a different meditation method each day and note down the effects. You’ll then have a much clearer idea of the best meditation method for you.

1. Breathing meditation. This is one of the simplest meditation techniques and focusing on your breathing is quick and easy.
2. Walking meditation. Take a leisurely walk. Breathe in the air. Notice the sounds and smells!
3. High tech meditation. Put on your headphones and a binaural beats track. Sit back and let the technology do the rest.
4. Mantra meditation. Repeat your chosen mantra over and over, either out loud or in your head.
5. Candle meditation. Light a candle somewhere safe, sit down and focus on the candle flame. Let all other thoughts drift out of your mind. Keep focussed on the flickering flame.
6. Guided meditation. Put on your headphones and listen to a pre-recorded guided meditation talk you through the process of relaxing your body and clearing your mind.
7. Mirror gazing. No, you’re not doing an impression of Narcissus! Simply gaze into your reflected image. Focus on the wall just behind your head. Let all other thoughts fall out of your mind.

Your feelings and daily journal will help you to quickly come to a conclusion as to which meditation method is best for you. You may even decide to “ring the changes” and indulge in several different meditations according to the day of the week and the time available in your schedule.

Read my review of the one of best meditation methods I’ve come across to date at http://personaldevelopmentreviews.org/index.php/2007/04/17/secrets-of-abundant-energy

Is the daily stress or the permanent problems you have at work or at home getting to you, affecting your life, health and happiness? Then it is about time to consider some meditation exercises. Here are the basic things you need to know!

Why Should I Consider Meditation Exercises?

You are probably asking yourself whether meditation exercises really work and whether their benefits are really substantial. The answer is simple: yes. Meditating presents a wide range of advantages, from a better health, a better mood and a better sleep to more energy, vitality and focus, less stress, less frustration and less worries. It sounds appealing, right? So, in case you have been feeling anxious, depressed or weak lately, in case you are having sleep and concentration problems or if you simply want to gain those desirable feelings of well-being, calmness and happiness, you should start considering meditation exercises.

What Do I Need in Order to Start Meditation Exercises?

If you decided that you should give meditating a try, then the first thing you need is determination. It is not like meditation exercises require certain tools or complicated techniques – basically, you just need is willpower and desire, in order to benefit from meditation. And, of course, you need a bit of time to allocate to your meditation sessions – 15, 20 minutes every other day is ideal. But there is one rule, when thinking about starting to meditate. And that rule is that… there is no successful meditation without relaxation, a complete relaxation of the body and mind.

How Can I Relax?

We already established that you need to relax in order to meditate. But is this easy? For a beginner, it might be quite difficult. Most beginners in relaxation and meditation exercises find themselves thinking about daily problems and worries when trying to meditate, instead of clearing their minds and enjoying the state of calmness. Or others get bored when trying to empty their minds. For sure, these can not be called “successful meditation sessions”. Still, even if this happens to you, you should know that you will definitely be better with time and enjoy meditation completely, in case you are determined to make it work.

But let’s start from the beginning. In order to benefit from a complete relaxation, you need to start your meditation techniques at the right time. Kids running through the house, a loud TV, a noisy neighbor might not be the perfect premises to start to meditate. You need peace, quietness, a good atmosphere, a cozy decor or a welcoming natural ambient. After you find a peaceful moment, try to let your body relax, to push the tension down and loosen your muscles. Feel how your entire body feels better – this will help you clear your mind later on.

Are there Different Types of Meditation Exercises?

There is a great range of meditation exercises, no doubt about that. What you should do, as a beginner, is to try them all and find the one that suits you best. But which are these different types of exercises? You can choose from visualization exercises (when you are picturing positive, beautiful elements, places or moments), concentration exercises (when you are trying to focus on your body’s sensations and stimulants) breathing exercises (which are used in all types of meditation, as an essential premise) and many more, including specific meditation exercises that regard a better sleep, better appetite, less stress and other problems that need to be eliminated from your daily life.

Remember that if you want to good results, you need to continue with your meditation exercises and try to improve yourself on permanent basis – only like this you will achieve that positive, well-being feeling that you are looking for. Good luck!

Want to calm your mind & super-charge your energy level? We’ve created a FREE audio e-course to get you started. You’ll get

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With a little effort you can create an area in your home that can be your own personal getaway, a place to hide from the stress, noise and maybe even the family. Start with a quite room where you will not be disturbed. The ambiance is the key the area must be clean and clutter free you simply can not relax completely when your are ankle deep in a mess that you know you will have to clean up.

Learning to relax or de stress is all about the little things you need to get your environment in the best possible place, pick out some of your favorite music you may even want to make a CD or a special track in your mp3 player reserved just for relaxing.
Believe it or not smells have a lot to do with being able to completely relax light some of your favorite candles ylang ylang, lemongrass and bergamot are said to be good for relieving stress. If you prefer some incense can be substituted for candles again it is a matter of personal preference.

Taste also plays an important part in relaxing, obviously you will want to stay away from caffeinated drinks. I prefer a nice glass of wine others like an herbal tea or even a favorite fruit juice that you do not have all the time but is saved as a treat. A massage is a great way to completely relax you may want to purchase a hand held massager or even some warm, hot moist towels to place on your face or shoulders where ever you feel the need.

In order to fully relax you will need to learn how to breathe. Deep slow breaths will help your relax, with every breath you will want to concentrate on relaxing a certain muscle group start with your extremities fingers and work up your arms relax your shoulders, do the same with your legs and simply let the stress leave your body.

Before you actually begin your meditation get out that plush robe and put it on your towel warmers so once your “personal time” is over you can wrap up in a nice warm comfortable bath robe. Remember to turn off the cell phones and put that do not disturb sign on the door an alarm might be a good idea. You might want to instruct your family of the penalty that will be incurred if your “personal time” is interrupted.

Megan Cherry writes articles for http://www.pegandrail.com If you are looking for high quality decorative coat hooks or to see a Oak, Cherry or Maple wall mounted coat rack please stop in for a visit.

The modern world comes with an incredible range of possibilities, challenges and, let’s not forget, with a wide selection of responsibilities. Are we ready to face them all, to deal with them all? The fact is that this modern world is overwhelming and therefore, we tend to get tired, weak and stressed. But is there a solution to all these effects of the modern world?

Undoubtedly, meditation is the one that can reduce best all these aspects of a busy, dynamic and active lifestyle, a lifestyle that implies, besides all the successes and satisfactions, an additional package of worries and, of course, stress.

Creating a Compensatory World with the Help of Meditation

So, we started from the fact that nowadays, the world is busy, overwhelming and, in addition, very, very fast. We are all running, we are all trying to keep up with life’s dynamic rhythm. So, how can meditation help? Simply. Meditation comes as a simple and efficient salvation that allows us to detach from the fast and demanding real world.

Let’s think that meditation somehow creates a compensatory world, an imaginary world that is created by us and it is created the way we like it. Our meditation world can be anything, from a vision, a fantasy, a trip to a place we love – or, why not, a trip to home, an introspection into our souls and minds, an analysis of a concept and whatever else it might bring us peace. How many often do we get the chance to do all these things in our real life? Not enough – and this is precisely why we need meditation. Analyzed from this perspective, meditation implies developing a better spiritual and intellectual life, it implies imagining, visualizing, creating - but creativity and imagination are not the only advantages or benefits of meditation.

A Better Psychological and Physical Life

The modern world affects us at a psychological level. How? We tend to develop anxiety, frustration, complexes and, even worse, depression. And the good news is that meditation can fight against all these. Besides, meditation helps is lose our increased irritability, gain emotional stability, a good mood and a general peace of mind. More understanding and tolerance towards the world are other psychological benefits of meditation that can help us develop a healthier and more positive relationship with the others.

The physical or health-related benefits of meditation can not be neglected either. In fact, most individuals find them the most relevant ones. But what health problems can be improved by meditating? The scientific and experimental facts show that meditation has a great role in accelerating the metabolism, improving the skin and its resistance, dropping the cholesterol and cortisol, decreasing high blood pressure, decreasing the aging process and improving the breathing problems, as a result of the breathing exercises. In general, meditating implies, above all these, the desire for a healthier lifestyle, a lifestyle that can only affect our health in a positive way.

As shown above, the benefits of meditation do not simply reflect at a single level – meditation is a process that affects us entirely and that presents gains at multiple levels: the psychological level, the spiritual level, the health/body level and the intellectual level.

Want to calm your mind & super-charge your energy level? We’ve created a FREE audio e-course to get you started. You’ll get guided meditations to help you transform your life
and as you

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More people are living, but fewer are choosing, life in the fast lane. The need to restore balance, find inner peace and replenish spiritual power can be satisfied by some form of daily meditation. Sister Jayanti, an extremely busy person in her own right, presents the how to of meditation and ways that meditation can help to take the stress out of busyness. I wonder how well I know myself. Sometimes I really do wonder because I surprise myself at my own reactions and responses in certain situations. I wish I could have behaved a little bit differently. It’s one of the indications that tell me that I need to know myself a little better. In a materialistic world everything carries values in terms of matter. So often the value that I have placed in myself has also been associated with external factors, the possessions that I have, the property that I own, the position and profile that I occupy or the position that others give me. Very often I see myself in compartments, just simply in the way that others see me. What is it that you see when you look at me? Instantly the inner computer begins its calculations and we connect with each other in terms of our face, our colour, our skins, our features, our age, the profession we work with and yet, when I begin to think about it, I question this and wonder whether external factors tell me anything either about myself or about you. And I begin to be aware of things that are actually not material at all, nothing to do with my external form or external situations and these are the things that I actually value and appreciate about myself.

I look inside and I become aware of things like my feelings, my emotions, my thoughts and I begin to wonder which bit of me is really me. It’s important that I learn to separate two identities, the material identity, that is the physical form, and the inner reality of my thoughts and feelings. It’s important to know things in terms of the external, but much more important to know that which is under the surface, that which is below the skin, and when I focus my attention inside, on my inner being, that’s when our journey begins.

Coming into this inner space and finding what’s happening in my own inner world is actually an adventure as marvelous as the adventures of outer space. Where is it that my thoughts and feelings emanate from? As I begin to allow my mind to be quiet I discover that the source of life, the source of energy that I am, is actually just a spark, a being, a point. I am not 5 feet tall, but I am just a point of light. In our language we use sometimes this expression ‘my soul’, or ‘I have a soul’ and yet this is not true at all—the reality is that I am a soul, I am this point of light. And operating from this consciousness creates a total change in my awareness. In this awareness, knowing who I am, I am able to step beyond all those limits that the physical body has imposed on me. So often I have said “I can’t do this, that or the other”, and yet none of that is reality. I am this eternal being of light. I am being of light, I am actually a being of love; these are my natural qualities, and coming back to this awareness means that I’m able to go beyond all barriers, all boundaries. I am able to find that inner freedom of the self. In this awareness of knowing who I truly am, I’m able to manage myself.

Sometimes we question whether the original state of the self is that of goodness. And yet peace is that which is totally natural for me, and so I know that it is a state that belongs to me. I don’t need to attempt it. It is there within me. In a life in which one is very busy, if I know how to turn my attention just for a moment, to this point of light that I am peace is instantly accessible. When I find that inner peace, it’s like the recharging of the battery and then I am able to accomplish all that I need to accomplish on the external level. If I can even do this for one minute within every hour I would find that the other 59 minutes are able to flow very, very smoothly.

My own being of peace inside also means I have power inside. I am able to find my own inner strength. We use this word ‘empowerment’ a great deal and yet empowerment cannot come to me from anyone else outside, but empowerment which comes from within means that it’s a strength that stays with me forever and ever. Wherever I go, whatever else it is I do, this power is that which I carry within my own being.

Let’s experience a few minutes in which we use this concept so that you can actually see how it works for yourself.

Sit quietly just letting the body be relaxed, preferably both feet on the ground and your hands folded quietly. Let your breathing become natural and slow. You can keep your eyes open. (In fact it is preferably to do so, so that this awareness becomes a natural stage of awareness for you.)

I focus inside and I watch what’s happening inside my own inner world.I see many thoughts flickering on the screen of my mind and I can consciously choose which thoughts to have.I choose the thought of peace.I visualise a point of light and in this awareness of peace I know that this is who I am.I am a being of light.I am a being of peace.My thoughts slow down and I savour the beauty of peace within, as my inner world is filled with peace.I am also filled with light.I can feel the clouds of confusion receding and as this light becomes bright I can feel my own inner power growing within. My own being is light, is might, is peace.Having forgotten myself I had forgotten these original and natural qualities of mine, and now that I know who I am, all these qualities naturally belong to me again and in this awareness I radiate light, peace and might.And now I let my thoughts come back to the awareness of the physical body that I occupy and the situations in life that I find myself in today, but now I come back with an outlook transformed with an attitude which is very different. Coming home in this awareness of I the soul, the master of this physical instrument, this precious body of mine, I know now what it is I have to convey through my eyes, through my lips, through my actions, I know the direction that I have to move in. My vision of others has also been transformed. I don’t put them into boxes anymore. I am able to see them as external beings, as souls. I still carry on with those things I need to do, but now having created that original eternal world also, there is clarity in the way which I think; there is understanding and empathy in the way I behave with others; there is power in my actions so that my actions lead to the right conclusions; and positive results emerge in my life and also the lives of others around me.

I compare this to the state I was in before, a state of chaos and confusion inside, and so little wonder that there was chaos and confusion in the world around me. Managing myself means to know that I am the creator of my own inner world. I’m able to be the creator of the world around me. Managing myself means finding my own dignity, finding my own state of self-respect so that I’m able to stand independently on my own feet. We surround ourselves with so many different supports and are unable to manage without those supports. But now that I know who I am, I carry my own stage of self esteem and of course when I value my self, I value others around me. In a state of self-respect that respect extends out to others. Managing myself means I’m able to move with stability in which I bring calmness to the world of chaos around me. The peace that I have means that I can begin to create a little oasis of peace around me. The light that I have means that illusion and darkness no longer touch me. The power that I have means that I can truly be free.

Om shanti. Om means I am, shanti means peace. I can turn back to this awareness at any moment and again be a master of myself.

When everything is taken away from us, we become grounded in reality very quickly. A sage was once asked why he was so happy, he responded, “I have nothing left to lose!”

Being grounded in reality happens in that split second when we know all is lost; a moment before the car crash, a moment after the diagnosis. The reality we then face is quite different from the daydreams of our everyday illusions. The fanciful images that we had previously projected into our idyllic lives melt away when we come face-to-face with certain disaster.

There is something we can learn here, because many times, the result of a traumatic experience is that we come out of it a changed person, and the changes are usually for the better. New vistas open up for us, and we find ourselves and our interests somehow strangely altered. We actually become happier.

There are times in our lives when we do things and don’t know why, and although these things may appear foolish to our friends, we feel compelled to do them nonetheless. Sometimes these things involve letting go of something very dear to us, and we can hardly believe what we are doing. This can be a crushing experience, yet . . . we do it.

Just when things are going swimmingly, there is, many times, an underlying urge in some of us to cancel everything out. In the East, a tradition exists where people pile all of their belongings into a boat, sail out to sea, and dump them . . . every seven years. If one followed this tradition, think of how careful one might be in what one purchased! In addition, how aggressive would we be in making money? Maybe we would forget about money and do what we love for a change. That would certainly produce some happiness.

If our karma is good, however, so good that we are protected from disasters, we might need to become proactive in causing our own disasters – to help things along. Great men in the past have done just that; Christ lived as a homeless beggar; the Buddha left royalty behind to live in rags in the forest for six years, seeking and finding enlightenment. Foolishness? Perhaps, but who has affected the history of the world more than these two men have?

In essence, what the Buddha and Christ were saying is that until the bottom drops out of your life, you will continue to love your life, and as Christ once said, (John 12:25) “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.”

True happiness is that Reality we touch when all is lost. Money, love, family; these are all caught within the web of existence; and existence is nothing but stress compared to this Reality. Existence has three characteristics, three laws of the universe, and they are that 1) everything changes. 2) life is stress. 3) no “self” stands behind life.

Reality, on the other hand, has never been born, will never die, does not come from a previous condition, and has the characteristics of eternity and unchanging ness. The three characteristics of existence are unassailable, and while we remain caught in them, we can never be truly happy although we try to convince ourselves otherwise. Look into your own heart and see what is true. It is only when life is taken away for a brief moment, when we escape momentarily from existence and touch that Reality that we cannot speak about, only then is true happiness possible. The miracle is that just touching this Reality for a brief moment is enough to change our experience of life into one of happiness. Everything that we think will make us happy, all that they tell us to accomplish, to be ambitious about, and to compete for, never does so for long.

If none of this makes any sense to you, then you must continue seeking happiness in the things of the world. If for some reason seeking happiness in the world does not work for you, in the long run, then there are things that you can do to ease yourself into a Reality where happiness is assured. By easing yourself into this Reality, you are not required to give things up in a violent fashion; they fall away by themselves.

If you ever become serious about real happiness, weary of temporary happiness slipping through your fingers time and again, then go after the missing element. The missing element is emptiness, and there is a good way, a gradual way, and a certain way to bring this element into your life.

Emptiness is the doorway to a new life, and the doorway to emptiness is meditation.

E. Raymond Rock of Fort Myers, Florida is cofounder and principal teacher at the Southwest Florida Insight Center, http://www.SouthwestFloridaInsightCenter.com His twenty-eight years of meditation experience has taken him across four continents, including two stopovers in Thailand where he practiced in the remote northeast forests as an ordained Theravada Buddhist monk. His book, A Year to Enlightenment (Career Press/New Page Books) is now available at major bookstores and online retailers. Visit http://www.AYearToEnlightenment.com

To Medi-TATE or Medi-CATE

Stress related disorders are increasing at an alarming rate. According to health officials, it is not our stress that is killing us; it is what we are doing with it (Sapolsky, 2003). Stress, like pain, is there for a reason; it is our body’s way of telling us that something is wrong or out of balance. Unmanaged stress takes many forms but most often manifests as illness (Transcendental meditation: Reducing and eliminating stress, 2006). To deal with stress, many people turn to temporary fixes such as alcohol, prescription drugs, sex, smoking and any number of placating activities, all of which actually help to increase stress rather than decrease it in the long run. Many doctors are now taking a preventative approach and are prescribing daily medi-Tation, rather than medi-Cation, for stress relief (Weil, 2005, p. 209).

The ‘What’ and ‘Why’ of Meditation

“O omnipresent cosmic sound of Aum, reverberate through me, expanding my consciousness from the body to the universe, and teach me to feel in Thee the all-permeating perennial bliss.” Paramahansa Yogananda

The mental image that many people get when meditation is mentioned is that of a yogi or monk sitting in lotus (inverted cross-legged) position, eyes closed, fingers in upside-down OK sign and chanting the word Aum, over and over. Others may think of new-agers or hippies and still others may associate meditation with cult-like behaviour. While it is true that many religions practice meditation for the purpose of spiritual enlightenment, and forms have been adopted by new-agers for a variety of reasons ranging from enlightenment to astral or out-of-body projection, one does not have to have any specific belief system in order to reap the benefits of meditation.

Originating in Vedic Hinduism (Meditation, 2006), the practice of meditation is thousands of years old and is utilized by many different religions and cultures all over the world.

“Meditation is usually defined as one of the following:
• a state that is experienced when the mind dissolves and is free of all thoughts
• focusing the mind on a single object (such as a religious statue, or one’s breath, or a mantra)
• a mental “opening up” to the divine, invoking the guidance of a higher power
• reasoned analysis of religious teachings (such as impermanence, for Buddhists).
Its ritual and contemplative qualities are similar to prayer in Western religions, but prayer emphasizes communication with a higher being, whereas meditation focuses on developing oneself” (Meditation, 2006).

So why meditate? According to peace visionary and renowned author Sri Chimnoy, “we meditate because this world of ours has not been able to fulfill us. The so-called peace that we feel in our day-to-day life is five minutes of peace after 10 hours of anxiety, worry and frustration” (Sri Chinmoy, 1989. P.3). Taking time out to just be still and quiet has an amazing effect on the body, mind and spirit.

The Effects of Meditation

Trancendental Meditation or TM, founded by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1957 (Transcendental meditation: Reducing and eliminating stress, 2006) is a simple type of meditation that when practiced twice daily for 15-20 minutes has been shown to reduce stress, improve overall health and increase energy levels. The effects are cumulative in that the more one practices the better and faster the results. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, author of Healthy Aging, “meditation does you no good unless you practice it on a regular basis” (Weil, 2005, p. 209).

Extensive research of TM at more than 200 hospitals, universities and research institutions in over 27 countries has shown marked physiological, psychological, and sociological effects (Transcendental meditation: Reducing and eliminating stress, 2006). A randomized study of Vietnam War veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder showed significant improvement:

“Over a three-month period, patients practicing Transcendental Meditation showed clear-cut improvements in all aspects of the syndrome studied, with significant decreases in depression, anxiety, insomnia, and alcohol consumption, improvement in family problems, reduced severity of delayed stress syndrome and less emotional numbness, as well as greater ease in obtaining a job. By contrast, the control group who received standard treatment with psychotherapy showed no significant change on any measure” (Transcendental meditation: Reducing and eliminating stress, 2006).

According to Lawrence Leshan, author of How to Meditate (1995), the reason meditation works so well at reducing stress is that “the lactate concentration of the blood decreases sharply during mediation” (Leshan, 1995, p. 26). Anxiety and tension are related to blood-lactate levels and during meditation these levels are decreased four times faster than in non-meditative states. MRI imaging of electrical activity of the brain has confirmed that “Zen meditation rewires the circuitry of the brain” as reported by Dr. James Austin, a neurophysiologist at the University of Colorado (Meditation, 2006). The deep relaxation that comes with meditation results in an overall calming effect which when practiced daily helps to improve health at a fundamental level.

Adverse Effects

As a precaution, many meditation practitioners suggest beginners receive instruction from trained meditators or time-tested systems such as TM. This is because studies have shown that in some cases people have experienced adverse side effects ranging from confusion and disorientation to severe delusional or psychotic episodes (Perez-de-Albeniz, 2001). Although these cases are rare, they seem to be triggered by the deeply relaxed state which possibly ‘unlocks’ suppressed memories or emotions (Sapolsky, 2003).

More commonly, meditation side effects are positive with reports ranging from overall feelings of well-being, better health, improved relationships and the most treasured side effect of all: peace of mind (Meditation, 2006).

The Practice of Mediation

Meditation usually begins by finding a quiet spot. This can be anywhere but try to find a place that provides at least 15-20 minutes of undisturbed silence. Personally, I find that the more I meditate, the easier it becomes to ignore the occasional disturbance such as passing cars or barking dogs but ideally the quieter the better.

Beginning meditators can start by sitting comfortably with back straight and legs crossed. As one becomes more advanced and flexible, there are yogic postures such as half lotus and full lotus positions as possible alternatives. The benefits of these more advanced postures and straight back are explained as encouraging the ‘spiritual energy’ or Kundalini, also described as the ‘life force’ or prana (Meditation, 2006).

Eyes can be open or closed, but if open one should relax the gaze or focus on a point or object. Breathing should be relaxed and slow. One may wish to repeat a mantra such as “Aum” or simply concentrate on the breath.

Aum and No-Thought Awareness

Focusing the mind on a single thought, mantra or breathe is usually how one eventually moves past the “constant dialogue of the mind”. The monosyllable mantra “Aum” (also Om) is the most sacred syllable and symbol in the Hindu religion. “Essentially, all the cosmos stems from the vibration of the sound ‘Aum’ in Hindu cosmology” (Meditation, 2006)so it is no wonder that this has become the most common mantra to use while meditating; but just about any single syllable word will do. Some people use the word ‘home’ (sounds like Aum), ‘love’, ‘peace’ or just the ‘mmmm’ sound. Bare in mind however, that whichever word or sound is used, it is best to have a positive association with it (e.g. one wouldn’t have a very positive meditation experience if they meditated using the mantra ‘hate’).

Achieving a state of “no-thought-awareness” is available to anyone who possesses a ‘mind’ (Vinod, 2002, p. 29) but is harder than it sounds. If one were to sit in silence even for a few moments and take notice of what internal dialogue was going on in one’s mind, it is easy to see how trying to quiet that dialogue becomes a near impossible task. Dr. Samprasad Vinod author of 9 Secrets of Successful Meditation (2002) suggests that we need not try so hard to free our minds of thought, rather we should just allow those thoughts to stream through as we passively observe them. Eventually the mind gives up and becomes quiet – like a child crying for attention; after a certain amount of time with no response he wears out.

Conclusion: Divine Peace

It is hard to imagine someone who does not wish to experience peace of mind. To be free of worry, frustration, stress and anxiety would, for most, be the ultimate freedom. Meditation, if practiced daily, offers this peace:
“It is only through meditation that we can get lasting peace, divine peace. If we meditate soulfully in the morning and receive peace for only one minute, that one minute of peace will permeate our whole day. And when we have a meditation of the highest order, then we get really abiding peace, light and delight” (Sri Chinmoy, 1989).

Opening up mentally to ‘the divine’, can be thought of as simply being open to the experience. In other words, by taking expectation out of the equation and just letting the meditation experience happen one is in essence opening up to something larger than oneself.

The peace and health benefits derived from meditation are available to anyone at any time regardless of age, ability, faith or conviction. It is merely a deep ‘rest’ for our troubled and seemingly ‘restless’ minds just as sleep is rest for the body; and through this ‘rest’ may we find good health, long life and the most divine peace.

Works Cited

Leshan, L. (1995). How to meditate. Hammersmith, London: Thorsons, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Meditation. (2006). Wikipedia: The free encyclopedia. Retrieved 28 August 2006 from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meditation.

Mind Exercises. (2006). Wellness.com’s Total Wellness Program. Retrieved 16 October 2006, fromWellness.com: wellness.com/totalwellness.asp?catID=mind_exercises.

Perez-de-Albeniz, A. &. H., J. (2001, March). Meditation: Concepts, effects and uses in therapy [Trance net: Negative side effects of TM]. International Journal of Psychotherapy, 5(1), 49-59. Retrieved 28 August 2006, from onwww.net/trancenet.org/research/2000perezdealbeniz.shtml.

Sapolsky, R. (2003, August 10). Taming Stress: An emerging understanding of the brain’s pathway points toward treatments for anxiety and depression beyond Valium and Prozac. Scientific American (Online edition)(September 2003), Neurochemistry. Retrieved 11 September 2006, from sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&articleID=00083A00-318C-1F30-9AD380A84189F2D7.

Sri Chinmoy. (1989). Meditation: Man-perfection in God-satisfaction. Jamaica, NY: Aum Publications.

Transcendental meditation: Reducing and eliminating stress. (2006). Retrieved 28 August 2006, from transcendental-meditation.org.uk/benefits/stress.shtml

Vinod, D. S. (2002). 9 Secrets of successful meditation. London: Watkins Publishing.

Weil, A., & M.D. (2005). Healthy aging: A lifelong guide to your physical and spiritual well-being. United States: Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.

Shauna Ratapu is a regular meditator and independent representative for The One Group: Certified Organic Nourishment for the Skin, Hair and Body.

http://www.sacredsun.mionegroup.com

Shauna, an American, lives and works in New Zealand with her Kiwi husband and their three children. For more information on Eco-travel in New Zealand, Meditation or Organics visit Shauna’s homepage:

http://www.soulfoodcafe.co.nz

Another benefit from DM training is sixth sense skill. However, this is not main goal of DM because not everybody will experience this. This is very interest to discuss it and I hope some people who train DM can feel and experience six sense whatever they can get it. Sixth sense is not paranormal phenomena but only other benefit of feeling training. This article discuss into three section: What is Sixth sense, Develop sixth sense with DM and What you feel if You have sixth sense skills.

What is Sixth sense?

Sixth sense is an indigo capability that get in from meditation especially DM. Once again, this is not main goal you have train meditation especially DM. This is only positive side effect of DM. In sixth sense condition, you have some character with you:

1. You feel in very calm condition whatever happened with you. Dangerous, happy, sad, uncertainty, etc is not matter condition because your heart and feel in very calm condition. Your mind can think anything in good process and your feeling can guide your decision of these conditions.

2. You feel and know something that will happen to you or other peoples or environment.

3. You can handle something will happen depend on how strong your feeling and how long your DM training. You will know self as long as training.

4. If something will happen and you know it before happen but you cannot avoid it. This is God divine decree. Please be patient!

5. You can hear feel and think other peoples without these peoples say to you.

6. You “can see (and feel)” some body that you know in other place what they do, think and feel.

7. If you have friend with same sixth sense skill, you can communicate with your friend in other location based on agreement or you contact him to chitchat this time.

8. You can feel other world like jinni and ghost but you are not afraid. Please do not interaction with this area. It will be hurt of you. Do not care is more better.

Develop sixth sense with DM

As I said above sixth sense is not main goal. However, you can get in if you can feel your DM in your training. There is no specific method to develop and train sixth sense. There are only happen if you

1. You get in DM training very serious, patient and always keep your feel in your hand and other wave in DM.

2. You should be maintaining your ethics and relationship with GOD.

3. This is need long time of training to get in indigo capability.

4. You can control of your feel, think, emotion and activity.

5. Keep close to your GOD based on your own way.

6. If you feel very enjoy in DM and able to train in long time meditation without boring and tired, then you start enter to indigo area. Keep feel it and enjoy!

What feel if you have sixth sense skills?
This is very depending on your self with your indigo skills. You can feel enjoy or you can feel not enjoy because you can know anything what will happen. If you feel disturb with your new skill, you can neglect it with any activities make you always busy. To control of your capability is Close your GOD based on your way and keep busy with your activity everyday. So, you must creative to fill your live. The Indigo skill came to your soul because you are good in DM training. You can reduce frequency of training to control indigo skill and now: your level is DM application to everyday life like for stress management and healing. Trust me: if you close to your GOD, god will protect you.

Mike Handy is meditation practitioner almost 18 Years in South East Asia. He has 8 seven type of Dragon Meditation for selected people. Now, he want everybody can enjoy this meditation via his website: http://www.mydragontattoo.com Ignore word tattoo in his website. The content is more important.