Learning Mditation Techniques
Mood:  energetic
Topic: Meditation Techniques

The intention of this piece is to offer the reader information on the benefits of meditation techniques, which can help overcoming and coping with pain by using yoga derived techniques. The techniques that you learn are not at all difficult and you can get through them very quickly as they don't take too much time.

Though it is an age old practice, it is very much in use today as well and people from all over the world swear by it. The main types of meditation can also be viewed as a contemplative technique that can be used for focusing your mind on a certain thought or object, for spiritual, religious or relaxation purposes and it often leads to feelings of peace and calmness within the soul and body.

Different techniques are available and may be performed with chants, meditation music or in absolute silence. The easiest part to learn meditation is the focus could be on some object close by or you could focus on the breaths that you take as they go in and out of your body. The main thing here is the fact that you need to be undisturbed so finding a quiet place is necessary.

Next, you are going to select the object that you want to focus on, like a certain phrase or word or maybe even your breath or a physical object, then you will should yourself into a comfortable position - not supine or you might fall asleep. The ultimate aim is particularly with transcendental meditation is to reach a state of a mild trance, a state where you are aware of your surroundings yet detached from it. This Alpha state is a good one to achieve but for those who want more, there are deeper, more still states that can be achieved with guided meditation.

In many religions, guided meditations is part of the spiritual practice. These include Judaism, Sufism and mystical Christian traditions. However, meditation is mostly associated and linked to Buddhism and yoga. Buddhism uses it in order to focus and direct one's mental path to get to the point of enlightenment. You can meditate anywhere and in any posture - while lying back, walking, sitting, whatever - however, the best position would be 'zazen' or sitting down.

In relationship to meditating, there are several psychological and physical benefits that have been documented, several of them arising out of a research project that was conducted by Professor Herbert Benson at the Harvard Medical School. Studies have demonstrated that as little as 20 minutes a day aids in the reduction of blood pressure, muscular tension, heart and breathing rates and in lowering metabolism. If you are fortunate enough to reach deep states you will start seeing psychedelic colors, mental imagery and also hear your internal voice.

Some of the follow-on studies have reflected that meditation can also help to relieve anxiety and stress, migraine, headaches, depression, fatigue, chronic pain, and insomnia. As you become happier, healthier and you being to realize that you possess a much greater self-awareness, all of the other benefits are going to start to naturally follow: for example, an improved mental functioning is going to mean a greater intuition as well as a much greater access to the unconscious abilities and resources. While traditionally meditation was a tool to get you to a higher spiritual level, today it is also used to help you manage the stresses and tension that are a part and parcel of the modern lifestyle. You can lead a stress free life if you combine yoga sessions with meditation.

Types of Meditation Techniques
Mood:  cool
Topic: What is Meditation
What I seek to give you here is an overview of how your health and well being can be greatly improved with simple yoga and meditation techniques. What we need to assure you is that these are simple techniques which can be learned and practiced by anyone - they don't take up too much time either. It may be an ancient practice but it is still performed the world over when it comes to handling stress in an effective manner. Meditation is an introspective technique, using contemplation to help focus the mind on a precise thought or object. This may be used for the purpose of spirituality, religiousness or relaxation and leads to a feeling of peace and immense calm for the body and soul.

You can meditate with the accompaniment of chanting or maybe some meditation music - you could even do it with absolute silence. You could focus on an external object like a painting or you could internalize it and focus on your posture or your breathing. Irrespective of the approach used, you need a silent and peaceful environment to practice it besides a regular uninterrupted time on your daily schedule.

Next, you are going to select the object that you want to focus on, like a certain phrase or word or maybe even your breath or a physical object, then you will should yourself into a comfortable position - not supine or you might fall asleep. The main goal is to master a mindfulness state, where you are able to be completely aware of everything that is going on around you, but you are detached from all of your immediate surroundings, similar to a light state of trance. Generally people experience the limited Alpha State. In the two deeper states, however, the mind becomes progressively more tranquil and still.

Though it is Buddhism that comes to mind when we think of meditation, most religions include it as a part of their religious practices in some form or the other. When it is used within the actual context of the teachings of Buddhism, it can be an indication of directing or controlling one's mind inward in an actual quest for enlightenment. Although it can be performed in any position including standing, sitting, walking or lying down, the sitting position or 'zazen', is the most recommended.

Harvard Medical School Professor Herbert Benson's research, documents the psychological and physical advantages of the different types of meditation. Studies have demonstrated that as little as 20 minutes a day aids in the reduction of blood pressure, muscular tension, heart and breathing rates and in lowering metabolism. Entering into the deeper states sometimes bring on colorful swirls and pictures as well as hearing voices inside of you. Studies have been done to prove the efficacy of meditation in relieving stress-related illnesses as well as pain and mental diseases like depression.

Benefits of meditation - with better awareness comes a better state of health and you will find that your functioning - whether physical, mental, emotional or psychological - is so much more enhanced and healthy. Guided meditation has been used for some means of spiritual growth however, more recently, it has become a very valuable tool for finding a place of relaxation, peace and tranquility within this fast-paced and demanding world and managing stress. Overall, the combination of yoga classes and daily meditation is going to bring you a lot closer to a life that is completely free of stress.