Article Source: The Positive Observer

Written by - Maggie Connor, DCHc - December 2008

WHY meditate?  By now you’ve heard of the many benefits of meditation.  Stress reduction, lowered resting heart rate and pulse, lowered cholesterol levels, increased metabolism, decrease in overall stress, etc.  Deepak Chopra (world renowned physician of ayervedic medicine & best selling author) claims you can take 10-15 years off your “aging index” through consistent meditation. 

WHAT is meditation?  You’ve heard the descriptions: resting the mind, stopping the mind, stopping the thinking process, jamming inner dialogue, like a deep sleep, etc.  The descriptions of meditation have you “think” you know what it is.  Yet meditation is not a process by which one THINKS.  It is a process where by one FEELS and is a state of BEING. 

HOW does one meditate?  Simple.  You can meditate one or two ways.  First, let’s talk about what happens when most people (more than half) begin meditating.  Generally, people have a lot of internal chatter going on.  They may be unaware of just how much is going on until they begin meditating.  During this experience they may realize how much the “monkey mind” is chattering.  Some people will quit shortly after beginning to meditate  thinking and feeling “I can’t do it"... “I’ve failed at attaining enlightenment” in just a few sessions.  How unfortunate.  If they only realized every one has this experience.  It is perfectly normal.

Here are two simple ways to begin enjoying the many benefits of meditation:

1.  Seed Meditation:  Meditating with “seed” simply means focusing on a thought pattern, mantra (a saying), or even a symbol which “jams internal dialogue” in such a way that you transcend the thought pattern.  An all time favorite seed meditation sound is “OM”, a Sanskrit seed sound which means God or One.  If the Sanskrit language does not resonate with you, then simply choose whatever word(s) or sound that does work for you.  Dr. Wayne Dyer says most sounds or words for God have the sound AH in it.  My recommendation is:  Be wise and choose a positive word or sound.  That is the beauty of meditation. There is no “right way” or “wrong way”, just your way.  Other popular sounds are:  Ah, Ha, Mmm, Shring (like a bell), Ram, Dam, Lam, Pam, Ham, IAO, IO, etc.   

2.  Without Seed - Meditation On Nothing:  This one may be more challenging.  I recommend attempting this only after a period of time of consistently meditating on a “seed.”  Imagine going all the way back in time... before the creation of humans, birds, whales, dinosaurs, plants, water or volcanos. A time before the creation of the earth or the planets.  When nothing...no – thing existed.  When there was nothing but the purple blackness of space; empty and void of any and all things.  All that existed was pure potential!  The tricky thing about meditating on nothing is once you get there and realize “I’m at nothing.” – that is something, so you must begin again.  Yet with practice you will realize how easy it is to tap into nothingness.  The realm of pure potential, of creation!   

Some helpful tips to get you started:  

1. Morning is best. Upon awakening, simply sit up, support your lower back and begin.
2. Wear comfortable clothing (cotton pajamas are great).
3. Unplug or turn off cell phones, pagers, alarms, etc.
4. Tune into your own breathing rhythm.  Inhale, exhale, let go.
5. If meditation is new for you; then begin with just 10 minutes a day.
6. Later, you may feel you want to do 15-30 minutes in AM and 15-30 in PM. 
7. When meditating in the middle of your day (at your office or workplace), close your door or go to a bench or tree outside. Bring a small blanket or pillow to sit on.
8. Be easy with yourself.  Meditation will open and connect you to the divinity you carry inside you.  Remember – Divinity is unconditionally loving and accepting, never judging.       

Maggie M. Connor, DCHc

Olympian, 2X World Pro Champion, Master Trainer in Personal & Professional Excellence 

Owner - Ultimate Journey & Maggie Connor International 

www.maggieconnor.com

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