Maria Duval - Meditation Techniques

Meditation Techniques
Meditation Techniques 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 is 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! Written by http://www.diyconservatories-and-windows.co.uk/ of http://www.digital-view-web.co.uk/

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How to Increase Your Awareness Around You with Mind Power
An owner of a small business company so wrapped around on his own problems of his business operations which prevented him from broadening his outlook and personality. He shut out his everything including his wife, his family and his friends. The company grew and he became successful but he died a lonely and broken man.

Do you want to avoid this pitfall or you want to have it all. This is very much possible to have happiness together with success, wealth and health, but it requires sincere application starting with yourself development. This tool is called relaxed awareness. Once you are able to build and achieve your relaxed awareness, the rewards are great.

The mind has two aspects : the conscious part which always reasoning and the subconscious part which has an accumulation of wisdom of ages. With relaxed awareness, you can grow increasing confidence to cope up with life as you learn to assign your problems to your RIGHT brain for solution.

Your conscious mind, the LEFT brain is routine and deductive which immediately rejects the query on an unfamiliar question which then make you to become anxious and frustrated. That is why the LEFT brain is the wrong machine to use.

Your RIGHT brain is your subconscious mind which will always locate the missing data for the solution to any problem knowing that your reasoning mind cannot arrive at the answer.

Now you can turn your problem to your subconscious mind and trust your innerself to deliver the answer at the RIGHT TIME. You will not allow anxiety to rob you of your peace of mind. You now can enjoy time with your family and friends and get a better solution to the problem as well.

How do you constantly get into a state of relaxed awareness? You must constantly allow your brain waves to oscillate at alpha level. At alpha level, the chattering mind in kept in abeyance and allow your RIGHT brain to bring your answers. Keep on polishing your RIGHT brain of yours and you will know whether the gut feelings is talking or your EGO which often brings you the wrong answers.

How to polish your RIGHT brain. Apart from the many simple steps which can be done without really much trying, here are some great tips on how to polish up your right brain immediately.

Listen to music. Allow your mind to settle along with the music waves. Once your right and the left brain is balance, your right brain becomes very powerful. Meditative slow music increases the speed of the balance between the right and left brain.

Get out your routine nature. At your leisure, you ought to do things differently. This is an exposure to improve your flexibility, adapt and accept changes quickly. Being able to do that is a great way to cut down your panic and anxiety attack.

Color up your life. Color holds and improves your memory to at least 78%. Why is this a great help? You can easily recall details when they are in colored with can be a great aid in problem solving.

Movement. Rigid posture decreases flexibility as your body refuse to go beyond certain limit set by yourself.

With improvement movement, you can test, stretch and achieve new limits for yourself. There will never be the word “IMPOSSIBLE” in your dictionary once you tested and achieve new limits. Roger Bannister, the first man who ran a mile under 4 minutes when most people told him that it was impossible.

Now, it is your time to stretch out without really trying, meanwhile enjoying your life doing it. How fun can that be.

K Amber eTransform Secrets - Keys to Extreme Wealth http://www.simplemindpower.com

The Secret Law of Attraction Tips and Tricks.
Looking for a simple explanation? Don’t have the time to read the book or look at the movie? But are you like to know about the Secret Law then this article is for you. It is not difficult to understand I can explain it to you in five minutes. Ok, your still reading so you really wane knows more about it? I will not to disturb you, with not important details only the simple facts. Your mind is a very powerful tool only you have to use it the right way. But it is easy to learn and easy to use, it takes only five minutes a day. If you are willing to spend that every day then it works very well for you. I have written these tips and tricks about the secret law of attraction for only one reason. It can really work, I know because it works for me, but why pay for it? Yes the movie and books are great and fun to read but you do not need them. I will explain it here for you in just a few simple steps, easy to read and understand. Let’s start now; it takes you five minutes a day to make this work. First thing a want you to know is how your mind works, do you think that your mind saves information in words or pictures? Here is the important key, it works with pictures. Just like a computer it’s saving pictures, but it’s not understand the difference between good or bad pictures. But your mind and body is always going to react on it. So if you show it only bad pictures it can make you unhappy or even sick. Just like a computer works, if you give it good input you will get a good output. So you can use it the good way or the bad way is a simple as that. But let’s be focus on the good way of using the secret law of attraction. Here is the three step way method you can use simple free but it really works. First find pictures form the things you wane have or goal that you wane reach. Do it with your search engine on internet and save them on your computer. Second make a slide show of all the pictures that you have found. Maybe put some music with it, if it is soft music it can be extra helpful to focus. Third and most important, every morning you wake up take the first five minutes to watch the slide show that you have making. Do that as long as necessary, days, weeks, months. Do not expect it works in one or two days, it will take some time before it works. It is really a great tool, just give it a try and find out for yourself. Sceptical? I was to but it is free and takes only five minutes a day so why not? And it is always nice to start the day with favourite pictures so you can’t lose. Now you know the secret law of attraction, us it well.

writer: Jeroen Kaslander business director of: Jarvers Ltd websites: www.jarvers.com www.startbusinessonline.eu and www.networks4all.com feel free to use these sites to start your online business.

Use Meditation to Overcome Short Term Memory Loss
Use Meditation to Overcome Short Term Memory Loss Meditation is a wonderful method of helping the entire body to relax. Through a system of breathing exercises the body naturally feels the stress being released and for many people it allows them to be much more open and receptive. Meditation can also aid in helping to overcome short term memory loss. When a person feels relaxed the memory seems to function much better. Through the use of breathing and concentration the memory feels alive and vibrant once again. Remember the last time you forgot someone's name or their birthday? It was probably during a period where you had a great deal on your mind or you were feeling stress. Upon realizing your forgetfulness this generally stirs up even more anxiety which again leads to more memory problems. It's a cycle that some people find themselves constantly in. By employing some of the techniques of meditation that people have been using for years, you can help open up your mind and memory thus allowing it to function better. It's wonderful to imagine having the ability to recall names, numbers and important dates without having to look for pieces of paper or check a calendar. Instead it would all be there within your memory. Meditation does not need to be a complicated process. There are simple exercises that anyone can do for a few moments each day that will help boost the memory. The key to using meditation as a memory booster is that it will help build concentration which works hand in hand with improving your short term memory. Finding a quiet spot is very helpful when you want to meditate. Some people also feel that having essential oils or candles burning adds to the necessary ambiance. If that does help you relax than it's going to beneficial to the entire process including helping you to reenergize your mind. There are also certain scents of oils and candles that are said to be beneficial for memory functions. Meditation can be taught in a class and there are usually classes offered at natural health care facilities and often even at regular gyms. Some of the classes are geared towards helping the memory to function. For a person who feels as though their mind isn't as sharp as it once was, taking one of these classes will benefit them for years to come. Building up a regular routine of meditation to aid in improving short term memory loss will also build self-esteem. Feeling as though you are on top of your game mentally is a wonderful self-image booster. For someone who feels less comfortable within a class of people learning meditation, there are many books and manuals that offer substantial information on mediation as a method of empowering the memory. Some offer illustrations of body position and along with descriptions for the breathing exercises. Following the methods outlined daily will open the person up to the benefits of meditation. By using the techniques described they will not only be relaxing their bodies but fueling their memory as well. Having a relaxed and clear mind is one of the most important aspects to overcoming short term memory loss.

By Chengsi Gu. Learn more about how to improve your memory by checking out my blog Short Term Memory Loss

Master "The Force" Like A Jedi
Whether you call it "The Force" as in Star Wars, innate intelligence, nature or spirit, we all recognize that there is something inside us animating our existence, and all existence. Some kind of energy is flowing, intricate systems of organizing intelligence and will, all working together. The more we connect with this force, the more powerful we become in using it. The more you find it within yourself; the more you realize the true nature of your Self:you enlighten. You ARE this spirit, and it is guiding you now to the full realization of God, within you and around, in every place, in all situations, all the time. As you tap into the wellspring of life itself, you tap into the flow of love that sustains your existence:and it is guiding you now. Use The Force: Take a deep breath and connect with the life force within you, that is you. Be present to that presence within you that knew to lead you to these words. Feel the volition that is guiding you, and guiding us, to bring more light into this world. As you begin to connect and be guided by the spirit within you, you will also begin to become conscious of how spirit is guiding other people, situations and events and will know when, how and what to do. You are so much more powerful when you know what is going on. As you become more conscious you learn to use these flows of spirit as this is how we are guided to fulfilling our life purpose. The more you are on purpose, the more everything flows. To the degree you are "off" you will find your life becomes more difficult and painful. Difficulty and pain is a sign of resistance; you just need to be guided back on track, to get back on purpose. Use your Jedi skills; use The Force. Where there is darkness bring the light. Like Master Yoda says: "Anger leads to hate, hate leads to the Dark Side." Watch where you energy goes. Are you getting angry? Are you in fear? Is there darkness in your mind? Meditate. Connect with the source of life within you, the light within you that is you. As you become increasingly more conscious of how energy is flowing into and out of your mind and your life, you will become adept at using the energy like a Jedi. An instinct innate within you is already guiding you. The Force is with you now compelling you to read these words. Spirit has your mind's attention. You have come to a pivotal point in the evolution of your consciousness where you are now consciously seeking ways to further evolve yourself to enlightenment. Your training is about to begin. Are you ready? From the Heart, Steven S. Sadleir "You are part of a movement that is changing the world forever."

Steven S. Sadleir is the Director of the Self Awareness Institute and is recognized as a Shaktipat Master in two lineages. He has developed powerful distance learning programs for people of all cultures and faiths, trained thousands of people from all over the world, and welcomes all of you who are ready for full Self-Realization. Visit http://www.SelfAwareness.com for FREE guided meditation mp3s and ebook!

“You’re an Idiot!”
No, no, I’m not referring to you. I personally don’t feel that anyone on this planet is an “idiot” �" although it seems there may be a few of us cruising through life a few French fries short of a Happy Meal. But that’s the way life is. We can only play the cards we’re dealt and that’s OK. The title of this piece is not intended to be a personal slam against anyone. Instead, it is basically a three-word synopsis of several of the comments posted to a blog I recently read. That concerns me. In my opinion, it was a pretty good blog. It was well written, insightful and overall provided brief discussions of several things worth thinking about. There was only one small section that seemed to raise the hackles of a few of the readers. As a result, some of the postings weren’t very nice and instead of making an observation related to the blog, they were directed more at the blogger’s “stupidity”, audacity and lack of sensitivity. The “You’re an Idiot!” lights were flashing red. I understand that every single person in the entire world has a reason for thinking, believing and acting as they do. I understand that everyone has the right to their own opinions �" about anything �" no matter how widely their opinions may differ from mine. I also understand that we are extremely fortunate to live in a society that allows us to express our thoughts and opinions freely �" including unkind posts in the comments section of a blog. I understand, and yet it concerns me. Maybe I’m just old-fashioned or maybe it has something to do with the way I was raised. At a very young age I was taught that we should be nice to the people we’re around - that we should be polite and never say mean things to other people. Mom took it a step further when she pointed out that “If you can’t say something nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.” I’ve slipped up on this last part more than a few times in my life and for that I’m truly sorry. I’m doing much better at it now that I’ve figured out that it was genuinely top quality advice. I guess what concerns me most is not the effect of the put-downs or the demeaning comments on the individual they are directed toward, but more the effect these types of comments are having on the individual that made them in the first place. The way I see it, whenever we verbalize negativity �" or even think it in the first place �" it tends to reinforce the negativity that is already present in our lives. If we keep doing that, the little not-so-positive cloud that we started out with could turn into a giant negative thunderstorm that might just have the potential to wash many of our hopes and dreams right down the drain. It’s pretty simple actually. Negative thoughts and comments will produce more negatives both in our words and in our actions. On the other hand, positive thoughts and comments will produce more positives in our lives. It’s just the way it works. So just as a suggestion, before you launch a slap-face verbal missile toward another person, stop and think about how you might be adversely affecting you and your life. You’ll know what you should do…

Gene Simmons, through NuPathz.com, provides an easy reading self-help blog, articles, quotations, thoughts and links along with affordable personal growth and self improvement books & materials - all designed to help folks find the road to a more enjoyable lifestyle, to pass on some of life’s “secrets for survival” in a chaotic world & offer a few smiles along the way. It's a down-to-earth, simple approach to discovering a better life. You can visit Gene at http://www.nupathz.com/

Think Positively to Change Your Life
These days it can be really difficult to think positively. It seems like every day there is more bad news about the economy, and no one really knows when a change is going to come or when the bad times are going to end, or even how bad it's going to get before things turn around.

At times like this it's really easy to get caught in a cycle of negative thinking. It doesn't seem like anything is going right, so you think negative thoughts and fill your mind with worry about the next bad thing that's going to happen, whether you're going to be able to keep paying your bill or even if you'll still have a job next year.

All that negativity isn't very much fun, for one thing. It's impossible to be very happy about things if you're filling your mind with worry, doom and gloom. It's also hard to see the good things that are already in your life if you're worrying about those things going away.

And the truth is the more you think negatively, the more negative effects you're going to see in your life. You might find that after a day of negativity you're actually feeling physically sick like you have a cold coming on. This isn't your imagination, it's a real physical manifestation of your negative thoughts, and a clear example of how we're able to influence our environment and what happens to us through our thoughts and feelings.

On the flip side we can also influence what happens to us in a positive way, though positive thinking and feelings. Focusing on the good that is already in our lives and thinking about the greater good that will come to us in the future, the goals we want to achieve and the things we want to have, will make more good things come into our lives.

The key is to focus on what it is that you want in your life, not what you don't want. Clearly we all want security, peace and stability in our lives, our jobs and our families, but all too often we think about what would happen if those things were taken away from us. We dwell on lost jobs, illness and divorce, and those negative thoughts and feelings just bring more negative energy into our lives.

If you want to feel more positive, think more positive thoughts. If you want more goodness in your life, think about the good things you have and how you'd like your life to be. Imagine a life that is calm, a job that provides all the money you need and a family that is happy, and that is what you will have.

Positive thinking isn't just a way to make you feel better in hard times (though it will do that). It's a concrete thing that you can do to turn your life around, no matter how crazily things are swirling around you.

Marisa Singhnarinaath is passionate about helping people solve life's problems through self-help products and understanding the law of attraction. Learn more at Self Help Product Reviews.

My first experiencse with Vipassana Meditation
I started Vipassana in 2001. A friend mentioned it to me and that same evening I had booked myself onto a course on the internet. I was really looking forward to it because I had been looking for something for a very long time and somewhere deep inside I knew: this is it.

The course was very different from what I had expected. I thought it should be about relaxation, blanking the mind, etc. The first three days was like a concentration exercise, concentrating on the breath, calming the mind. It was hard. Not only was I not accustomed to sitting for up to 12 hours a day on a mat on the ground, I also was unable to keep thoughts from getting into my mind so I was getting upset about not being able to concentrate properly. I had pain everywhere, was unable to find any comfortable position whatsoever. There were loads of other people, whom I did not know but was unable to speak to.

On the 4th day, Vipassana Meditation was taught. Although it was quite an experience, it created something I had not expected. Lots of things came up from my past, lots of thoughts and mental pain. It was hard to face. But finally, after about 10 days of this, Metta Meditation was taught and after that we could speak. It was a bit strange and by that time I did not really feel like speaking any more. I did feel very relaxed that day.

The real interesting part came afterwards. All the stuff that had come up during the meditation seemed like something of the past, something I had lost. As if a burden had fallen from my shoulders. It felt incredibly liberating. I kept on meditating daily and became better and better at the technique and more stuff started falling of. Not always was this easy. Usually it started with periods of anguish, the pain of letting go. But when I finally let go it was just great. It made me into a much calmer and more relaxed person. Although anxiety and stress still come occasionally, it does not really matter any more that much - I can let go and relax much quicker and easier.

It has been the greatest gift anybody could have given me. I am so much more aware, relaxed and happy then I every was. I can face the world, while before I just made due. I have no stress, only the occasional storm but you always know that they will pass and they do not happen very often any more. Even the difficulties that sometimes come up are something that pass and when you come out the other side, your are a happier person. So much weight will fall off your shoulders. Just try it ... what does it matter if you try. You will not change that much if you do just one course so try and see if you like it. If you continue, you know now what can happen and what you might have to face. Then again, you might not. Not everybody is the same. Be Happy.

For many years, I suffered from anxiety depression. I tried everything, from psychoanalysis to medications but nothing really worked. Some things helped for a little while to relief my anxiety, but eventually it would always come back.

One day I was feeling particularly down, I saw a friend coming towards me on the road. We said hello and he told me about somebody he met in the pub the night before. He said she was a very happy, radiant and relaxed person. I felt a little pang of jealousy because with my anxiety depression this was exactly the opposite of myself. He said that her secret was Vipassana meditation. I had never heard of this type of meditation, but my friend gave me the website address. He said it was a great way for treating anxiety so the same evening I was on the internet and had booked for a course.

The course was great and I felt better than I had felt for many years. But coming home into the stress of everyday life was a different matter. Soon my anxiety attacks were back again. I tried meditation but as soon as I closed my eyes all the problems of the day came flooding back to me so it was impossible to meditate. After many years of meditation and many courses and moving away from my old life, my anxiety depression has disappeared, but it has taken a long time and a lot of effort. I am certain however that my anxiety will never come back. Vipassana really is an excellent anxiety depression treatment method. But it comes with a cost of time and effort, not something that many people can afford.

Luckily, if it is just anxiety depression you wish to cure, then there are other methods. I wish I had known about them back then but I did not. Vipassana is a very involved spiritual path and although it helped me well, you need to be certain that this is the path you wish to travel. It has many more benefits than just curing anxiety and stress.

There are other methods which will help cure anxiety depression effectively. One especially I found very good and it is especially designed for people with a lot of stress in their lives, which is usually the cause of anxiety depression. So rest assured, there are effective methods to control stress and get rid of anxiety depression without going the path that I have gone. But if you wish to know more about Vipassana meditation, I will be happy to share my experiences with you.

Margret owns blogs on anxiety depression.

Choosing your career? Listen to yourself
Ever been called to lunch and refused it or postponed it because you had a late breakfast and were not hungry? Ever seen people cajoled into marriage, even if they were not ready, because it was time for them? In short, have you ever, when told it was time, felt otherwise?

Some people choose the evening snack over the lunch. Many choose to remain unmarried if they realise they can’t do justice to the bond. What do you think separates these people, however moderately, from the great majority who live by the book?

It is the realisation that there are more tracks than one to choose from. Nobody’s life is predetermined. There are a thousand different ways to go in at any point in your life. And cliche as it may sound; you ARE in charge of your life.

Career paths are usually laid out in order of merit. The best on top and the less promising below. Sadly, this numbered list is so off the mark, even with the basics, that it serves no useful purpose whatsoever in the long run. The average clueless student (and I mean clueless in a good way) is asked to choose from a given number of careers. These inevitably, are the most popular ones.

The shortsighted ones will tell you that there is no hope beyond what lies before you now. They will also tell you how foolish you are to even consider the possibility that you can be different. You will find it difficult to resist their words, because they have, over time, convinced you that being stubborn is bad. That being different is just not done.

The math of it is simple actually. The world works like a machine. People are cogs. It is easy to be a cog. You move with the other cogs, which move with the others. There is very little you can decide, if you want to decide at all. The machine conditions the brains out of you and soon you are happy to be a cog, unable and unwilling to look beyond a cog’s existence. In time, you will even recommend a cog’s life to others.

I am not saying cogs are not important. I am saying you don’t have to be one just because everyone you know is one. Not if you can be something else. Something you will be happier as. Something you can do that no one else can.

You can start by assigning the list of careers to trash. Realise that there is only one list. And that list is inside you. It is made up of all the things you can do and want to do. Maybe you can do more than one thing. Maybe it’s something nobody would bother doing. Maybe it’s something nobody has ever done. It wouldn’t matter, because the answer, unlike the so many disembodied voices you grew up hearing, would come from within yourself.

It is time when you decide it is time. Not yet? That’s just fine. Hone yourself if you have to. Learn more, unlearn a few things. Get back that stubborn streak you were caned and conditioned out of. That’s the way!

With all due respect to the cogs, in time, you will run the machine.

Vijayendra Mohanty is a freelance writer from India who blogs stories and essays at MYPAJAMA.COM. Much of his fiction is set against the rich backdrop of Indian mythology and folklore. He is currently writing his first book.