Meditation: The Key to Our Minds

When you hear the word ‘meditation,’ what image does it evoke? Maybe you think of disciplined monks sitting in a Zen garden. Maybe you thought of a yoga teacher quiet and peaceful in her studio. Maybe you thought of a Tai Chi master in the middle of his slow, relaxed series of movements. Maybe you imagined yourself strolling down the lane surrounded by trees at the park. Maybe you didn’t think of any of these things.

Meditation can take many forms

Meditation can take many forms, and it’s something different for every person who practices it. It can be an esoteric religious practice or a simple way to clear your mind. You can use it to increase your focus or let go of your troubles. It’s a powerful tool for transformation or a simple way to experience a little peace every day. There are as many types of meditation as there are meditation teachers, but no matter where to learn it meditation has numerous benefits.
It’s an excellent, drug-free way to reduce your stress. Long-term benefits may include reduced blood pressure, better concentration, and an overall sense of well-being. Some meditators use it for anything from balancing the body’s vital energy flows to getting better sleep at night. The possibilities are endless.

Simple meditation

Without all the bells and whistles, and without all the religious connotation is easy to learn and easy to start. It’s also quite challenging. Simply find a comfortable place where you can sit in an erect, relaxed position. When you’re ready, let’s begin:
• Allow your eyes to close and take one big deep breath, hold it a moment then exhale your tension. Don’t push the breath out. Just let it go.
• Keep breathing and allow your breath to find its natural rhythm. Don’t force it.
• Allow your attention to rest on the part of your body where you feel your breath the most. It could be in your nose, your chest, your diaphragm. There’s no wrong answer.
• Observe your breath like this for the next several breaths.
When you open your eyes, congratulations! You’ve just meditated. This exercise was adapted from a book called 8 Minute Meditation by Victor Davich. It reflects many beginner meditation practices. His method is easy to begin and simple to share. There are many more ways to practice meditation, so don’t be afraid to branch out and try them all!

Meditation is a process

Which can help us grow. It can bring some measure of peace into our otherwise hectic lives. It can lead to a deeper knowledge of ourselves. Meditating daily is a big step towards taking charge of your will and reclaiming your mind. It doesn’t have to be hard either. A single minute of meditation is better than none at all. Experienced meditators eventually integrate meditation into their daily lives, meditating as they drive down the street or cook their meals or do their jobs. Everything we do can become meditation in motion.
I want to try something a little different this week. I need some feedback from you all. Leave me a comment or contact me and let me know: What should I write about next week? What would you like to read? Visit The Adjustatorium today.

LOVE
Dr. Ryan K. Marchman