Do Yoda Proud: Meditation 101

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!

Tags: Meditation

Moksha hot yoga is a unique yoga

Hot Yoga

Hot Yoga is built on many of the poses and philosophies of Bikram Choudhury and Bishnu Ghosh, but incorporates different means ofentering into poses, as well as several variations so that practitioners of all abilities are able to experience the full benefits of the workout. His method of Hot Yoga is a set series of 26 yoga poses, including two pranayama exercises, each of which is performed twice in a single 90 minute class.

Yoga

Yoga means union of body, mind and spirit. Yoga is that state of Absolute Peace wherein there is neither imagination nor thought. Yoga teaches us how to control the modifications of the mind and attain liberation. The yoga discipline’s image has transcended the stereotype of a skinny, long-haired guy twisted into a pretzel on some mountainside.

Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga is performance of actions dwelling in union with the Divine, removing attachment and remaining balanced ever in success and failure. Karma means not only action, but also the result of an action. The Law of Karma is one of the fundamental doctrines not only in Hinduism, but also in Buddhism and in Jainism. The path of Karma Yoga eventually leads to the attainment of Bliss of the Self.

Tantra Yoga

Tantra Yoga is a holistic approach to the study of the universal from the point of view of the individual: the study of the macrocosm through the study of the microcosm. Tantra Yoga believes that as long as the phenomenal world exists, it is the Universal Mother who is the creator, preserver and destroyer. By refining our thoughts and feelings by means of these Tantra Yoga practices, we learn to create peace, harmony, and order within ourselves.

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga, a devotional form, generally encompasses chanting, reading of scriptures and worship practices. Bhakti yoga is based on the doctrine “Love is God and God is Love”. To kindle the candle of love with the spark of knowledge and to do the yoga of love or Bhakti Yoga. This is the essence of Bhakti Yoga.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga contains substantial tantric influence and marks the first point at which chakras and kundalini were introduced into the yogic canon. Hatha Yoga in its many modern variations is the style that most people actually associate with the word “Yoga” today. Outside India, Yoga is mostly associated with the practice of asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga or as a form of exercise, although it has influenced the entire Indian religions family and other spiritual practices throughout the world. They are sometimes divided into the lower and the upper four limbs, the lower ones being parallel to the lower limbs of Hatha Yoga, while the upper ones being specific for the Raja yoga.

Tags: Meditation

An Introduction to Meditation

What is meditation, and is it as difficult as it looks? The answer to the second question is a definite “no”. The first question will take a little longer to answer, which will also help to explain why meditation is easier than it might look.

When you meditate, your body and mind are in a state of purposeful focus and rest. You will have sharpened consciousness of both your outer environment and your inner self.

There are numerous schools of thought regarding meditation. At their core, however, the principles are the same. The key to the practice of meditation is to calm your mind by eliminating negative thoughts through intense focus. Afterwards, your thoughts will be less scattered and your actions more purposeful.

Think of it as housekeeping of your inner being. Your negative thoughts and emotions (think of how you react to traffic jams, telemarketers, and your neighbor’s new Lexus) are what “pollute” your mind. Meditation “cleanses” the mind, allowing you to focus on the things that really matter.

Find a Sanctuary for Your Meditation

Your meditation session will be most effective in a calm environment. Find a room in the house where you feel comfortable. If there are other people at home, choose a location where you can close the door and muffle the noise. Turn off the phone, the dishwasher, the washing machine, and don’t let anyone vacuum.

When you become more comfortable with meditating, you’ll probably want a few accessories to help you achieve your Zen state. Scented candles, a meditation pillow or chair, a few scented candles and a meditation tape will all enhance your experience.

Assume the Position

You’ve probably seen the typical pictures of people meditating, twisted up like a pretzel with impeccable posture. You’ll be relieved to know that this isn’t at all necessary. The idea is to be comfortably positioned so you can focus on your meditation, not your screaming muscles. You can sit cross-legged with your back against the wall, you can lie down, stand up and even walk around.

Keep in mind, however, that your back needs to be straight if you’re standing or sitting. If you slump, you’ll be too relaxed and run the risk of falling asleep. And for maximum comfort, wear something loose and comfy so that you’re not focused on your pants cutting into your middle. You have much more important things to focus on.

Focus is Key

Many people who meditate include a mantra as part of their practice. A mantra is a word or sound that is repeated over and over, and your focus should be on nothing but that sound. Choose a word or phrase that has significance to you, or just a sound that feels good. Although not a essential part of meditation, it does help you to concentrate on your breathing and can lead you to a higher state of awareness.

The key to a successful meditation experience is focus. Choose an object in your mind or in your line of vision, and concentrate on it to the exclusion of everything else. The same applies to a specific thought as well as to your mantra.

For a simple routine to get you started, start by settling yourself in your chosen sanctuary. Close your eyes, and envision each part of your body, from the top down or bottom up, it doesn’t matter. Silently name each part as you think of it, and give it your full attention. You’ll immediately notice if there’s tension or discomfort in that particular location. In your mind, visualize the tension leaving that body part. You’ll be amazed at the results.

Tags: Meditation

How to Recreate Your Life

“School days, school days, wonderful golden rule days. Readin’ and ‘ritin’ and ‘rithmetic””

Remember those Three R’s? There is another set of three R’s which can change your “sort of - kind of” into “Absolutely Positively:” Recognize, Refute, and Reprogram.

Recognize: If we want to recreate our life, we have to start by becoming aware of what we aren’t happy with. And sometimes, it is hard to recognize. For example, think about the phrase “yeah, but?”

“Yeah, buts” are strong negative affirmations. (I am filled with glorious heath and energy — yeah, but do I feel so lousy? OR yeah, but I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer. Here’s another one: I am a money magnet, and have plenty to share and spare — yeah, but how am I going to meet my bills this month? I am one with God and all is well — yeah, but God seems to be sleeping this week!)

“When, then games” are how we trick ourselves into putting off our joy. (For example, we might say “I believe that what we give comes back to us multiplied — and when I get that new job, then I’ll start really tithing!” Another example is “I believe I a, connected with Divine Substance, and when I start getting my retirement income, then I’ll be able to have fun!)

“Mismatching words and actions” occurs when what we say and what we do don’t match. (For example, when we dance, we count steps — triple step, triple step, rock step — but quite often our feet are not moving in sync with our words!

Refute: Deny any power of other people’s attitudes to affect you. (I refuse to allow our attitude to have any affect on my attitude). Deny any power of appearance of lack, or illness, or fear to affect you. (There is no lack in my world. OR This perceived illness has no power over me.)

These statements are called denials — which means to declare to be not true; to declare as utterly false. We use denials to put our error thoughts where they belong. Denials are a way of talking back, refusing to give power to something ‘outside’ of us that seems controlling or restrictive.

Reprogram : Whenever we deny power to something, it is extremely important that we follow up with a strong affirmation! We must fill the void created by denials with powerful statements of Truth. In the Gospel of Luke 11:24-26, Jesus shares a parable about a man who cleaned his house and eliminated an evil spirit. However, when the spirit returned and, finding the “house” swept clean, decided to move back in, and brought along seven of his cronies, all more evil than he. This is just a reminder to us of how critical it is to solidify our beliefs and reprogram our thinking, by following up denials with powerful affirmations!

In her classic, Lessons in Truth, Emilie Cady states: “to affirm anything is to assert positively that it is so, even in the face of all contrary evidence. Deny the appearance of evil; affirm good. Deny weakness; affirm strength. Deny any undesirable condition, and affirm the good you desire.”

The critical ingredient for success is to claim your affirmations with power — with faith! When you use a lackadaisical approach, you are simply wishing. When you affirm in a manner that says “Without a Doubt,” from the strength of your Christ consciousness, you are speaking with a voice of knowing faith and Truth!

We attended our granddaughter’s graduation from the pre-Brownies group, Daisies, and enjoyed looking through the gift her leaders had given each girl: an album filled with pictures capturing the events they had participated in during the year. One of the pictures showed the girls lying on the ground, in front of a fire truck, with the words “Stop, Drop, Roll” above the photo. Our granddaughter proudly told us that it was a phrase the firefighters taught them, so they would know what to do if they ever caught on fire: Stop, Drop, Roll.

It connected with us as a reinforcement of these 3 R’s: STOP — Recognize the “sort of-kind of’s” that dilute your spiritual growth and happiness; DROP — Release thoughts and actions that are out of sync with Truth by denying their power; and ROLL — Reaffirm the transformative power of the beliefs, the Truths, of spiritual principles! Make the 3 R’s a regular part of your life, so you change your “sort of-kind of” into ‘”Absolutely Positively!”

Tags: Meditation

Reiki and Meditation

by Laurelle Shanti Gaia

Creating Time and Developing Focus

When teaching Reiki classes I often speak of “my Reiki meditations”. This stirs questions and comments from many of the students. Frequently students exclaim “I just can’t meditate”, “My mind is always wandering”, “I don’t have time to meditate”, “How do I use Reiki to help me learn to meditate”, “I’ve meditated for years, why do I need to use Reiki?”

It wasn’t until I began incorporating Reiki into my meditations that I began to feel like I was really accomplishing something. I happen to be a Gemini with an Aquarius moon, talk about mental chatter! So if I can learn to meditate with the help of Reiki, I believe anyone can!
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Tags: Meditation, Reiki