Meditation is no longer confined to eastern
religions; its influence is felt on a global scale. Perceived as a simple
therapy,
it has been adapted and altered to provide a local appeal. Our lives are challenging
and time-bound with little room for self-care.
Meditation is a popular practice
to keep you calm and focused and is not even time-consuming.
Meditation, simply put is a powerful form of
relaxation that teaches you to consciously focus on your
breathing and/or an
object, thought or image. It allows for the inflow of positive energy and self-realization.
Some people chant various mantras to clear the mind of negative thoughts and achieve
full concentration.
To achieve total concentration, it is essential
to create the right ambiance. Opt for a well-ventilated room with minimum
distractions and preferably natural light. Some people find the natural setting
of parks or gardens ideal for meditation. Alternatively, you can set up a
atmosphere using soothing music, incense sticks and aromatic candles - these
could help in cleansing away the negative energy and thoughts. It’s important
to be comfortable with your surroundings to find inner peace and strength. A
good posture is of extreme importance; an upright, cross-legged posture would be
ideal. For best results, meditation can be practiced twice daily for about 15-30
minutes.
Here are some basic steps to meditate. Sit in a
comfortable position and gently close your eyes. Focus on your breath. Begin by
slowly eliminating all distractions, thoughts, sounds from your mind. You could
also choose to concentrate on pleasant images like flowers or the flame of a burning
candle. Focus does not imply any sort of strain or stress. Once you are aware
of your breathing, your mind becomes even more tranquil and body begins to
unwind. Gently open your eyes once you feel calm and unruffled.
Although meditation is a gradual
process, if practiced regularly, its benefits are immense. On a psychological
level, it results in awareness of your mind and its activities, composed temper,
improved concentration and memory power, decreased irritability, mood swings
and greater emotional stability. Research shows that meditation is efficacious in
physical ailments as well. It reduces blood pressure, helps relieve asthma, reduces
the body’s metabolic rate, relieves insomnia, improves muscle relaxation and
blood circulation. Meditation thus takes good care of both your physical and
mental well-being.
Everyone loves to look after themselves.
You pamper yourself with spa treatments and massages, which do little for emotional
stability and mental peace. Meditation does not burn a hole in your pocket and
all it requires are a few minutes in a day. So practice self-actualization to clear
the clutter out your mind and open your soul to fresh insights.