Do Yoda Proud: Meditation 101
Topic: meditation
Meditation refers to a state where your body and mind are
consciously relaxed and focused. Practitioners of this art
report increased awareness, focus, and concentration, as
well as a more positive outlook in life.

Meditation is most commonly associated with monks, mystics
and other spiritual disciplines. However, you don't have
to be a monk or mystic to enjoy its benefits. And you
don't even have to be in a special place to practice it.
You could even try it in your own living room!

Although there are many different approaches to meditation,
the fundamental principles remain the same. The most
important among these principles is that of removing
obstructive, negative, and wandering thoughts and
fantasies, and calming the mind with a deep sense of focus.
This clears the mind of debris and prepares it for a
higher quality of activity.

The negative thoughts you have – those of noisy neighbors,
bossy officemates, that parking ticket you got, and
unwanted spam – are said to contribute to the `polluting'
of the mind, and shutting them out it allows for the
`cleansing' of the mind so that it may focus on deeper,
more meaningful thoughts.

Some practitioners even shut out all sensory input – no
sights, no sounds, and nothing to touch – and try to detach
themselves from the commotion around them. You may now
focus on a deep, profound thought if this is your goal. It
may seem deafening at first, since we are all too
accustomed to constantly hearing and seeing things, but as
you continue this exercise you will find yourself becoming
more aware of everything around you.

If you find the meditating positions you see on television
threatening – those with impossibly arched backs, and
painful-looking contortions – you need not worry. The
principle here is to be in a comfortable position conducive
to concentration. This may be while sitting cross-legged,
standing, lying down, and even walking.

If the position allows you to relax and focus, then that
would be a good starting point. While sitting or standing,
the back should be straight, but not tense or tight. In
other positions, the only no-no is slouching and falling
asleep.

Loose, comfortable clothes help a lot in the process since
tight fitting clothes have a tendency to choke you up and
make you feel tense.

The place you perform meditation should have a soothing
atmosphere. It may be in your living room, or bedroom, or
any place that you feel comfortable in. You might want an
exercise mat if you plan to take on the more challenging
positions (if you feel more focused doing so, and if the
contortionist in you is screaming for release). You may
want to have the place arranged so that it is soothing to
your senses.

Silence helps most people relax and meditate, so you may
want a quiet, isolated area far from the ringing of the
phone or the humming of the washing machine. Pleasing
scents also help in that regard, so stocking up on aromatic
candles isn't such a bad idea either.

The monks you see on television making those monotonous
sounds are actually performing their mantra. This, in
simple terms, is a short creed, a simple sound which, for
these practitioners, holds a mystic value.

You do not need to perform such; however, it would pay to
note that focusing on repeated actions such as breathing,
and humming help the practitioner enter a higher state of
consciousness.

The principle here is focus. You could also try focusing
on a certain object or thought, or even, while keeping your
eyes open, focus on a single sight.

One sample routine would be to – while in a meditative
state – silently name every part of you body and focusing
your consciousness on that part. While doing this you
should be aware of any tension on any part of your body.
Mentally visualize releasing this tension. It works
wonders.

In all, meditation is a relatively risk-free practice and
its benefits are well worth the effort (or non-effort –
remember we're relaxing).

Studies have shown that meditation does bring about
beneficial physiologic effects to the body. And there has
been a growing consensus in the medical community to
further study the effects of such. So in the near future,
who knows, that mystical, esoteric thing we call meditation
might become a science itself!

About the Author:

Tim Maher is interested in personal development in all its
facets and has read many books on this topic. It is an
interest that is fed and nurtured by listening to audio
books and seminars when possible. To assist your own
personal growth journey get your audio resources at ==>
http://www.magillaudiobooks.com/list.aspx?catId=137