Natural Pain Relief Techniques

Everyone will suffer pain at some point in their lives and strange as it may sound, some pain is necessary; it’s a signal from our brain that something is wrong which we need to address to protect our health and well-being. Pain can come from any type of injury, illness or condition but it is then our job to locate where the pain is originating from to stop it. Normally once the cause of the pain is treated, the pain will gradually disappear but not always.

This is called ‘chronic’ pain and is distinguishable from ‘acute’ pain by its persistence and common examples of chronic pain include backaches, migraine headaches, and arthritis. Untold millions of people suffer from chronic pain and despite medicines best efforts there is no way currently to eliminate or prevent the cause of it. Often the cause of chronic pain is actually cured but the nerves still believe the condition is still present and the pain will often become the condition itself.
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Tags: Meditation

Training Your Mind to Increase Mental Power

What do we mean when we say increase mental power? Are we talking about the mind, churning away, like Star Trek’s warp speed, solving problems at the speed of light?

At first glance one might think this was true.

But in point of fact it is being noted in our age of enlightenment that we really don’t want to speed the mind up, but rather slow it down. We are beginning to learn that when we quiet this great computer called our mind, it actually works better. As I’m sure famed philosopher Ekhart Tolle would say, compulsive thinking is a ‘disease’, and when we follow the mind’s obsessive agenda- we become very sick.

How many of you, for instance, have gone through a time of tribulation in your life and have felt the stifling sensation of not being able to escape thinking about the problem. You try a hot bath- still the thoughts continue. You put the TV on- the thoughts sit in the background. You take a jog- your mind continues to churn. You try to sleep- but cannot. Finally desperate, you may seek peace through a sleeping pill- only to wake up still tired and with the same thoughts present. The mind in this sense could be seen as some out-of-control computer. You keep hitting the off button, but it won’t turn off. And it doesn’t solve the problem you want it to. It just churns away at the problem it wants to focus on- with very little success.

It is at times like this that we can feel that we have an enemy in our camp, and it is our very own brain. This is especially true since the mind loves to tell us disparaging and discouraging things about ourselves- thinking, I suppose, that this will help to solve the problem.

So the task when you increase mental power becomes one of literally training the mind. We need to train the mind about when to turn on and when to turn off. And we need to train the mind to focus on our subject, not its own.

And I can give personal testimony that yes, this can be done. For instance, right now I am facing what could occur to others as insurmountable obstacles in my personal life. To name a few, my beloved father is passing away and I cannot be there with him. My back is healing from an injury, and the instability of a new business has me living in the question mark in life. But because I have trained my mind, and it does not run me, I live a stable, peaceful life, one day at a time.

I have many methods that I use to train my mind and increase mental power. Today I have been focusing on things that can be done while lying down for my back. I have utilized a brain entrainment CD, a hypnosis CD, and a meditation CD- all of which I highly recommend. I have also taken a nice walk in nature. This is inherently meditational, as long as you keep recalling the mind to ‘think of nothing.’ By the way, when you do this, you should also thank it for sharing. Remember that your mind, however misguided, is only trying to help you.

Tags: Meditation

Tips to Get a Better Sleep Through Meditation

Practicing meditation can be a great tool in the battle to achieve a more restful night’s sleep. You CAN achieve a deeper and more refreshing sleep that will leave you ready to tackle your new day. Meditation is often very helpful for those who have trouble falling to sleep in the first place. It’s a way for them to deeply relax their muscles and also their minds, thus allowing sleep to come more quickly to them.

When those who take a wide range of pills for any number of reasons add sleeping pills to the mix, the result is often an interruption of sleep. They are frequently drowsy the next day. Meditation can help you achieve the desired result without medication, but you will need time and patience to master the technique.

You can meditate in many different ways, such as using music, or not using music, lighting candles, or trying a more intense technique of yoga meditation by sitting quietly and letting your mind wander. Meditation will help to reduce your stress and anxiety, so that you get a better night’s sleep.

There are several tips to help you reach better results with your meditation. You could try utilizing techniques such as a mantra, which is a positive phrase repeated aloud or in your mind, listening to relaxing CDs, or focusing on deep breathing exercises. When negative thoughts creep into your head and interrupt your meditation, try sweeping them away, making room for positive thoughts.

When you have a peaceful place with no distractions you will be able to easily meditate. Use the following tips to help you concentrate.

1. Find a quiet place where you’re not likely to be disturbed. This place might be somewhere in your house, or a lakeside park bench. Remove the television, phone and other things that might cause a disturbance.

2. Get comfy. Find a comfortable place to sit, on top of a cushion or pillow if you like. Your clothing should be lightweight and loose. Remove your shoes and anything else that restricts you.

3. Try to relax. With your eyes closed, set your mind free to go where it wants. Think of a peaceful lake or a meadow while you meditate.

4. Take a deep breath and focus on each one. These deep breaths will help to increase your oxygen levels and relieve stress.

Meditation right before bed can improve your sleep patterns and help you to get a good night’s sleep. Even just 10 to 15 minutes per day will help you relax and sleep better.

Tags: Meditation

Incense and Herbal Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy bases itself around the use of essential oils for the treatment and / or prevention of disease and is a gentle, healing art. Evolving over thousands of years, aromatherapy is a recognised form of medicine, reaching as far back as biblical times. It can be a supplementary, complementary or the sole treatment, treating the actual problem rather than covering it up as more conventional methods of treatment tend to do.

Aromatherapy as a medicine is great it doesn’t come with the unavoidable side effects that are associated with other treatments.

Aromatherapy is the systematic use of essential oils, known also as volatile plant oils, consisting of aromatic molecules, which are easily absorbed into the skin. Incense is a popular adjunct amongst aroma therapists.

Basic and herbal are the two types of Aromatherapy. The major difference between the two is that herbal is based more on the use of herbs than on essential oils. The limbic system and emotional centre of the brain are activated by the use of herbs, which also kills microbes and fungi. Incense is also be used for this but results vary.

There is a multitude of herbs that are used in herbal aromatherapy, these include clove, fir, gardenia, ginger, basil, lemon grass, lime, pine, rose, marjoram, sage, sassafras, spearmint, thyme, ylang ylang, rosemary, sandalwood, patchouli, birch, mandarin, jojoba, lavender, jasmine, grapefruit, nutmeg, citronella, and cajeput, all of which are available in the form of incense as well.

Of all of the herbs used in aromatherapy the most commonly used is Chamomile, and with its distinctive smell of apple it helps to soothe tired muscles and improves sleep. It also encourages calmness and emotional peace within. Fears and mood swings are eased with the use of Geranium, which also refreshes and relaxes the body.

Lavender is used in herbal aromatherapy, helping enhance self-expression and sensitivity, particularly for the introverted. It helps in the treatment of a variety of ailments and illnesses, arthritis, aches in the joints and chest, to the common cold and flu to name but a few.

One of the major benefits of aromatherapy is that it helps to treat the actual problem rather than just cover up the symptoms associated with it. This form of aromatherapy is popular throughout the world. This means that recipients will experience more long-term effects rather than short-term satisfaction.

Aromatherapy is used as an alternative to conventional medicine, now even some doctors recommend aromatherapy to their patients, as this form of treatment has no side effects or symptoms. The burning of incense in their surgery is a sure fire way of identifying these doctors.

Tags: Meditation

Walking as Meditation

Everyone knows the value of walking. It helps your heart, your circulation and your tummy (a great calorie burner)

But what you may not have thought about is this: combining your walking time with meditation to enhance the value of your walking. Most people take up walking because it’s an excellent form of exercise, it minimizes injuries and there is no learning curve; everyone knows how to walk.

There’s no special equipment required. You just start walking and you are immediately on the path to excellent health. If you combine this with meditation, or mindful walking, you will find the benefits immeasurable.

So what is walking meditation, or mindful walking? It is when you deliberately focus on your every step. You don’t have to increase your speed, in fact, you might begin by walking slower so you can get the hang of mindful walking.

As you concentrate on your walking, make mental notes of the flow of your footsteps. Mindful walking is a practice that originated in Buddhism, in particular the art of Ayatana. In Christianity, walking the labyrinth is considered a form of walking meditation.

Using walking as meditation helps you stay focused on the here and now. As you become more skilled at this practice, you will find yourself better able to let go of your worries and stress.

Common forms of meditation have you sitting with eyes closed, concentrating within. With walking meditation, your eyes are wide open, absorbing the outside world. This gives you the opportunity to break away from the mind and all its clutter; a priceless tool, especially for us westerners

Basic guidelines for walking meditation:

* Walk in an area that you are familiar and comfortable with.

* Shoot for a 20 minute time period. If that is too long for you, start with a 5 minute period and gradually increase your time to 20 minutes.

* Start walking with a relaxed posture.

* Concentrate on how your feet feel.

* Relax your arms.

* As you walk, keep your focus about 3 to 6 feet in front of you.

In conclusion, mindful walking is a practice that is easy to implement into your daily exercise regiment. Not only will you be helping your body out, but you will be taking your exercise program up a notch by improving your mind and spirit.

Happy walking!

Tags: Meditation

Easy Meditation Technique: Visualization

Have you considered incorporating meditation into your daily routine to help you unwind and relieve your tension? It may appear that meditation is a complex process that requires advanced awareness and ability, but at its foundation, meditation is largely about focus and relaxation.

The following visualization exercise will help you realize just how simple it is to meditate. The instructions aren’t hard to follow, and the exercise can be done easily in any comfortable location in your house.

Many people prefer to meditate first thing in the morning, although it can be done anytime that’s convenient for you. There are usually fewer distractions in the morning, and your mind hasn’t had a chance to become cluttered with to-do lists, irritations and everyday crises.

The first step is to choose a peaceful, secluded room in which to meditate, away from other people and noisy distractions. Next, find a comfortable position in which to sit. You might think you have to sit cross-legged with a stiff spine like you’ve seen in pictures, but that’s not at all necessary. You can sit on the bed, the floor, in a chair or on a pillow, just as long as you’re comfortable. You might find it uncomfortable to cross your legs, or find that it hinders your blood flow, so keep your legs extended and relaxed if you want. Make sure your spine is upright but relaxed.

Once you’re settled, relax your body and close your eyes. Be conscious of this state for a minute or two in order to calm your mind and loosen up.

This visualization exercise consists of focusing on a specific object. You can select any object you wish, such as a tree, a candle or even a favorite animal. Think about this object and its many qualities. Vividly imagine its texture, smooth or rough; its shape, curvy or sharp; and its color. Next, picture yourself becoming that object.

Try to stay calm and relaxed during your visualization meditation. Don’t force your thoughts, just focus on your object and effortlessly become a part of it.

The key to your success in this visualization exercise is to not let your focus be sidetracked by obtrusive thoughts or noises. If you hear something that distracts you or if you start thinking about your schedule for the day, just let go of the distraction and concentrate once again on your object.

To attain a high level of concentration and the ability to focus your mind will involve considerable practice. But through time, you should be able to visualize any object with little effort.

Learning to block out distractions and focus your mind will be accomplished much more quickly if you add visualization meditation to your daily routine. Soon you’ll be well on your way to a calmer, more relaxed state of being.

Tags: Meditation

Energy Healing 101: Pranic, Tantric, and Reiki

You have probably come across exotic-sounding terms such as “chakra”, “prana”, “aura”, and “tantra” in your course of reading books on spirituality, sex, and healing in the New Age literature section of the bookstore. But what’s the real scoop behind these exotic vocabularies?

Are All Energy Healings the Same?

Chakra or energy center is a term used in Pranic healing, an ancient Hindu system of energy healing. “Prana” means life energy. “Aura” is another terminology traced to Pranic healing. Aura is a non-physical body that consists of energy, which exists along with our physical body. The aura that covers our body is said to have seven layers pertaining to the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of an individual as manifested by energy. Studying the color and thickness of auras give ideas on the state of health of individuals. Six colors are associated with aura and interpreted into six personalities. These colors are all present in an individual but one or two are more pronounced. Green – ambitious achiever Blue – spiritual peacemaker White – unconventional chameleon Red – activist Orange – creative communicator Violet – psychic
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Tags: Meditation

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