The Benefits of Mediation and a Simple Guide to Start Meditating Today

Ah yes…. your job is kicking your ass, your family is starting to get on your nerves and your friends are real jerks! It might seem that way but everyone has a bad day every once in a while. There is really nothing wrong with your job, family or friends – your are just overwhelmed and need to de-stress. Meditation can be the ideal solution to your stress. Meditation has been used around the world for centuries to develop calmness and inner peace. Here are the major benefits of meditation followed by a simple guide to get started:

Benefits of Meditation

Increase Focus and Concentration – Meditation takes the chaos in your mind and helps to clear the distractions to direct your thoughts on your priorities for higher productivity.

Improved Health – Meditation has been shown to help with sleeplessness, depression, high blood-pressure, reduce anxiety to increase your immune system defenses.

Higher Level of Awareness – You’ll start noticing things that you have taken for granted such as: breathing, heartbeat, and your senses (touch, sight, smell, hearing, taste). Most often we overlook the basics of just being alive, meditation helps you to appreciate it more.

Inspiration – Meditation can generate the positive energy to unleash creativity, motivation and enthusiasm.

- and of course….. Inner Peace

A Simple Guide to Meditation

Place:
First you will need to find a room that is free of distractions and is comfortable. If you can quietly read a book there then it should be alright.

Position:
Its important that you sit with your back straight up, you cannot lie down because you will tend to fall asleep (yes, it will happen). Sit traditionally in a legs crossed position or “Indian style”. You can also sit on a chair, but make sure the back is straight, don’t use a chair that allows you to recline or slouch.

Focus:
Once in position close your eyes direct your focus on your breathing. Focus on each breath in and out. Keep doing this until you achieve a steady rhythm. If you get distracted start over again.

Clear:
Once you have achieved a good rhythm and focused thought on your breathing you can start to clear your mind. When a thought comes into your head, visualize putting it in a circle outside of you. Then focus on your breathing again. Keep doing this each time you think of something.

Inner Peace:
You will know when you get here, your mind is clear, you body seems weightless, you can experience an inner silence no thoughts or movement just peace.

Habit:
Its important to realize that meditation takes practice, usually daily and needs some time to develop into a consistent habit. A great way to start is to pick the SAME time each day where you are alone and can meditate.