Meditation
Explore Meditation
WHAT IS MEDITATION?
Meditation is an active training of the mind to increase awareness. This ancient wellness practice is used to reduce stress, create mental clarity, increase compassion, calm the mind and body, achieve peace, stability and harmony. There are several techniques and practices but all share the same goal of resting the mind in order to tap into an inner quiet state consciousness beyond the normal, distracted waking state. When the mind is clear and relaxed, one can know and experience his or her true, essential nature - which is love, fulfillment, peace and happiness. Everyone including the disabled, elederly and children can practice meditation and will derive great benefits.
HOW TO PRACTICE MEDITATION
There are countless meditation techniques from different cultures, religions and spiritual paths, however, the six major types of meditation practice are: mantra, transcendental, mindfulness, spiritual/prayer, focused and movement.
Mantra Meditation is the (usually silent) repetitive chanting of a word, phrase, syllable or sound in coordination with the breath. As distractions arise, one can return to the mantra and begin again. Over time and with practice (meditation IS a practice) the periods of concentration become longer. The most popular mantra is the universal Om.
Transcendental Meditation/TM was created by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, an Indian guru in the1950s. It refers to a specific form of silent mantra meditation that allows the body and mind to “transcend”; to settle down and through quieter levels of thought to experience pure consciousness. It is typically a personalized course taught by certified teachers and practiced twice a day for 20 minutes. Millions of people including celebrities, athletes, peak performers in business, the arts and science attribute much of their success to TM.
Mindfulness Meditation is the combination of awareness with non-judgement; to be fully, unconditionally present by paying attention to thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations and focus on the breath. By taking a few minutes every day to simply sit, breath and observe passing thoughts without assessment induces a deep sense of calm and peace. This allows you to become more awake, openhearted and aware throughout the day long after you left the meditation mat.
Spiritual Meditation is the quieting of the mind to gain a deeper connection to God (Spirit, Light, Source, Universe) in order to recognize the individual self/ Ego is not separate from the Creator. To know that everything and everyone are interconnected and part of the Universal Soul and that the root of all suffering (doubt, fear, pain and illness) stems from this disconnect from the Creator. By making the connection through mediation and understanding one’s true nature as Pure Spirit Consciousness restores confidence in the flow of life allowing for a more peaceful and joyous existence. Spiritual Meditation is a gentle reminder that the only reality is Love and the Present Moment; everything else is Fear and Ego.
Focused Meditation quiets the mind by concentrating on a singular object, sound or sensation (candle, breath, mantra, prayer beads) to be fully present and disengage from the constant internal monologue and distractions The goal is to detach from the reflexive reactions to each passing thought and develop a sense of equanimity by always coming back to the present and breath. With patience and practice, you will start to realize the benefits including stress relief, less emotional reactivity, improved memory and better sleep.
Movement Meditation also known as dynamic or active meditation focuses on the motion of the body allowing the mind to be still and quiet. It is a call to be present and aware but not engaged in thought. This can be as simple as walking in nature, or down the street while feeling and listening to each step concentrating on the sound it makes. Other such meditations include pottery, gardening, painting, tai chi, quigong and yoga.
WHY PRACTICE MEDITATION?
Some of the major benefits of meditation include spiritual enlightenment, reduced anxiety, depression and physical pain, lower blood pressure, better sleep, greater focus and increased acceptance and patience. While in the meditative state and throughout the day, by practicing even a few minutes a day, one is able to remain in a peaceful state and better able to deal with the chaos, frustration, hard work and noise of daily life.
It is important to detach the thoughts and emotions from the Self in order to gain clarity. While meditation will not in and of itself resolve problems, having a consistent practice to calm thoughts and relax the mind will improve brain functionality, focus and the ability to think faster and deal with problems better; particularly in times of stress. Studies have found that meditation has neurological benefits and a positive impact on the brain’s functionality including enhanced connectivity,
WHERE DID MEDITATION ORIGINATE?
Meditation stems from the Latin “meditatum” meaning “to ponder” and may be as old as humanity itself. Some archaeologists date meditation to the ancient civilizations of Egypt, India and China where it had ties to Judaism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism. Wall art drawings from as early as 5000 BCE depict people in meditative, seated postures with eyes half closed in a dream-like state presumed to be deep in meditation. The oldest recorded texts are from approximately 1500 BCE India in the Vedas, (sacred scriptures). However, prior to this, the teachings believed to have existed from the beginning of time were passed down orally from generation to generation. In the course of history, there were numerous people who were instrumental in spreading the practice of mediation, wisdom and self-fulfillment through silence but the most prominent were Buddha, Lao-Tzu and Dosho.
Over many millennia, meditation continued to evolve and be practiced throughout the world. It is now mainstream, providing broad access through smart-phone apps, best selling books, meditation pods and storefront studios. Use of the word Namaste is now ubiquitous - where it is said as a general greeting as well as at the end of most yoga classes when the teacher and participants look each other in the eye and with hands in prayer position at either the third eye or heart chakra, bow and say “Namaste”. This gesture acknowledges the Divine Spark and soul within others, where your Divine Spark meets theirs in the One Soul of Divine Love. Essentially, the Divine Light in Me Honors the Divine Light in you; a Soul-to-Soul recognition where our true nature of love, light and joy reside. Meditation helps to access this state of consciousness during practice and more importantly - throughout the day.
Meditation Resources
Meditation Videos
Meditation Books
Jon Kabat-Zinn | When first published in 1994, no one could have predicted that the book would launch itself onto bestseller lists nationwide and sell over 750,000 copies to date. In this book, the author maps out a simple path for cultivating mindfulness in one's own life. It speaks both to those coming to meditation for the first time and to longtime practitioners.
Ram Dass | Beloved guru Ram Dass tells the story of his spiritual awakening and gives you the tools to take control of your life in this “counterculture bible” featuring powerful guidance on yoga, meditation, and finding your true self.
Paramahansa Yogananda | Autobiography of a Yogi is at once a beautifully written account of an exceptional life and a profound introduction to the ancient science of Yoga and its time-honored tradition of meditation. Profoundly inspiring, it is at the same time vastly entertaining, warmly humorous and filled with extraordinary personages. Selected as "One of the 100 Best Spiritual Books of the Twentieth Century", Autobiography of a Yogi has been translated into more than 50 languages, and is regarded worldwide as a classic of religious literature.
With engaging candor, eloquence, and wit, Paramahansa Yogananda tells the inspiring chronicle of his life: the experiences of his remarkable childhood, encounters with many saints and sages during his youthful search throughout India for an illumined teacher, ten years of training in the hermitage of a revered yoga master, and the thirty years that he lived and taught in America.
Dr. Wayne W. Dyer | Beloved spiritual teacher Dr. Wayne W. Dyer often shared his thoughts on the path and practice of personal empowerment during his writings and presentations. He'd say, "This is not about self-help. It's about self-realization, which is way beyond self-help."
In this book, which collects some of his timeless words of wisdom in a new format, the internationally renowned speaker and author offers spiritual tools to transcend your current circumstances and old patterns in order to reach true fulfillment. He will show you how to become genuinely awake, aware of the power you have within to shift your thought processes, release attachments, and tame your ego-to name just a few topics covered in these pages.
Meditation Classes & Learning
Meditation and Modern Buddhism | Heruka Kedampa Meditation Centre
Heruka Kadampa Meditation Centre runs weekly online meditation classes suitable for beginners and more experienced meditators. Each session covers a specific topic that is relevant to our modern lives, helps solve our daily problems, and brings lasting peace and happiness. The sessions include guided meditations and instructions from an experienced teacher.
UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center
UCLA. MARC's mission is to foster mindful awareness across the lifespan through education and research to promote well-being and a more compassionate society.
Insight Timer Classes & Meditations
A Smartphone App and online Community (17 million people from 120 countries) offering the largest FREE library of more than 55,000 guided meditations, music, special events, courses, talks and Timer in more than 30 different languages. 8000 Meditation teachers and musicians to choose from.
Named by the Center for Humane Technology as “The World’s Happiest App”, this is one of the top-rated apps for Sleep, Meditation, Focus and Relaxation as well as Master Classes, Visual Nature Scenes and Sounds.
Created by Deepak Chopra, a world-renowned author and pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation and Oprah Winfrey. These easy, fun and inspiring online guided 21-Day Meditation Experiences are guaranteed to promote joy, peace and well-being. Themes include “Hope in Uncertain Times”, “Manifesting True Success” and “Shedding the Weight - Mind, Body and Spirit”.
Tara is the founder of the Insight Meditation Community of Washington, Awareness Training Institute and the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program, author of several best-selling books and a top-rated podcaster. Her Meditations address emotional healing and spriritual awakening through mindful, loving awareness, environmental sustainability and the alleviation of suffering, racial inequality and injustice.
Derived from the science of Yoga, this technology is a comprehensive study for personal growth that leads to a positive shift in all aspects of life. The programs offered allow one to explore their highest potential through powerful processed of self-transformation, classical yoga and meditation to address key aspects of life and access secrets of ancient wisdom leading to a life of fulfillment and joy.
Trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India and Burma, best-selling author and meditation teacher since the 1970’s, he is recognized as one of the key teachers to bring mindfulness practice to the West. His books have been translated into 20 languages and sold more than a million copies. Learn to be aware and present and to integrate mindfulness into all areas of your life, open to the body and breath, work with physical, mental and emotional challenges, deepen relationships to bring clarity, wisdom, resilience and love to your daily life.
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