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Learning to Meditate

According to some polls, 10% or more of all Americans now practice some type of meditation. People of all ages, including ten year old kids in their schools, are closing their eyes and looking inward for self-development.

Reasons for learning to meditate vary widely: relief from stress seems to rank high on the list, but improved health ranks as a very close second reason. During the much-sentimentalized 1960s, meditation became famous largely due to Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and the popularity of his Transcendental Meditation (TM) program. Maharishi was canny enough to take his authentic, ancient practice and have modern science verify its benefits. Thus began the introduction of meditation and the quest for enlightenment in the modern, scientifically oriented west, although both had long been intrinsic to culture in the east.

Once Transcendental Meditation courses became widespread , the media began reporting about it. After celebrities, like the Beatles, Donovan, and later Merv Griffin and Clint Eastwood, talked publicly about their benefits from the TM technique, other schools of meditation sprang up like wildflowers. Everytime you turned around a would-be guru was touting his or her path, none of them significantly scientifically researched, but offering a myriad of results nonetheless. Eventually the phone book was filled with choices, publications on yoga and on meditation filled the shelves in bookstores, and your next door neighbor’s eighteen year old hung out a shingle and taught you to focus on your breath.

So what is it all about? According to the more profound texts about meditation, its purpose is to unite the conscious mind with the universal cosmic basis of life. This is the pure form of Yoga, which in sanskrit, means union. The experience of transcending relative phases of perception to experience silent, absolute, non-changing existence is open to all, according to the texts and teachers. The value of this supreme realization of the silent Infinite is found in the finite routines of daily life. Self realization becomes self-actualization–greater energy, intelligence, creativity, compassion, tolerance and bliss-when we open our eyes after meditation. The results are worth the trip down the path-it is just a matter of which is the most effective path.

According to some scholars, techniques that involve concentration can tire the mind and not produce the transcendent state that one desires. Although the transcendent state finds the mind highly concentrated, it is not the technique of concentration that is the means to that end. Methods that involve focus or concentration keep the mind bound and active in individual perception, disallowing unboundedness.
Contemplative practices, such as visualization, prayer, mindfulness and any method that involves letting the mind wander or involves being attentive to the wandering mind, all keep the mind actively engaged in thought. This is counter-productive to transcending thought.

One of the reasons the TM technique continues, for example, to be widely practiced is that if doesn’t fit into either of the categories discussed-it is neither contemplation nor concentration, and therefore easily adapted by persons of varied natures, ages, personalities and intellectual capacity. Because it involves neither religion nor philosophy nor change in lifestyle, it appeals to those who wish a secular self-help approach to self-development. Although no meditation program offers a quick fix, some are more likely to deliver tangible benefits more quickly.

If you are looking for the whole kit and caboodle-a package of belief, lifestyle and doctrine–every religion from Christianity to Buddhism has a meditation component. It may not be your preference to change your lifestyle and belief system, so do your research before engaging in something that might be far too consuming for you. The internet has endless information (and misinformation) as does your local library and bookstore..

Whether you call it Nirvana, the Tao, the Self, or the Kingdom of Heaven Within, it is real; please enter.

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The ancient practice of meditation prevalent in many spiritual traditions is still relevant in the modern age because of its inherent nature of promoting deep mental and physical relaxation amongst its practitioners. This is evident from the wide spectrum of physical and mental benefits that practitioners experienced as they learn to meditate regularly. Its wonderful physical benefits include relief from insomnia, reduced blood pressure, improved posture, increased energy, greater pain management and better control over libido.

Though the benefits may vary between individuals, in most cases, meditation allows the body to function more effectively. In addition, its amazing effects on the mental aspect include enhanced tranquility, patience, concentration and memory.

Given that meditation may bring about the effects as mentioned above, it gives us the motivation to practice meditation so as to improve our overall well-being in life. But, one question lies ahead,” Which is the most ideal form of meditation to practice regularly? ” The answer lies within oneself because every individual has his own preference in meditation techniques. Thus, it is best to explore different types of meditation techniques before adhering to one for the long term.

However, before one embarks on the path of meditation, it is crucial to understand the right mental approach towards it. Often, beginners who learn to meditate have a common error of a definite goal that they strive for blindly. For instance, they might practise meditation to combat stress or to experience happiness. But having such aims hinder their progress paradoxically. This is because when we have fixed notions about it, it obscures us from the true experience of meditation.

Therefore, the ideal approach towards it is to embrace it with an open-minded attitude without expectations. This implies that we should still have faith in the benefits of meditation but should not have concrete notions about how it will manifest and what exactly it feels like. The Zen master Dogen describes meditation succinctly as “just sitting”. This means that one should engage in total absorption in meditation without intention or expectation. With this in mind, learn to meditate and have fun!

Reference:  Fontana, David (1999)

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Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.

–Mark Twain

The moment of truth, the sudden emergence of an insight, is an act of intuition. Such intuitions give the appearance of miraculous flashes, or short-circuits of reasoning.

–Arthur Koestler

Many people look into learning to meditate so they can enjoy more peace. Others hope for greater clarity of thinking. Still others are hoping for spiritual gains.

Having been active in meditating for 13 years, I think it’s fair to say that meditation will take you to unexpected results. If you are ready for that kind of exploration, you should learn to meditate. If not, perhaps you should just stay as you are.

Here’s my experience:

At the start of 1995, I began studying and practicing Transcendental Meditation. Pleased with the results I felt in terms of increased calmness and mental clarity, I encouraged my wife to do the same. She, too, was pleased with her experience.

We decided we wanted to go even deeper into this discipline and devoted much of our spare time over the spring and summer to taking an advanced program to learn, among other things, levitation. I had visions of floating around in the air 30 feet off the ground; it was exciting to contemplate.

The reality was quite different from my daydreams. We actually learned to hop in the lotus position. A typical hop was a few inches off the ground. Fortunately, all this hopping provided other mental benefits.

Our instructors kept emphasizing that this discipline was independent of our religious beliefs. I began to realize why they repeated this point so often: With more meditation, my thoughts were increasingly focused on spiritual matters. My prayer life was enriched as well as my Bible study.

At the end of this training, I immediately flew off (by plane) for salmon fishing in Labrador with one of my CEO clients. I spent many hours pleasantly casting my line in the virtual solitude of the wilderness on a sparkling river. I didn’t care if I caught any fish. The experience was like a week-long meditation.

When I returned from the fishing trip, I kept waking up at about 3 a.m. and wasn’t able to get back to sleep. I could feel an idea trying to come to life inside me, but I couldn’t identify it. After a few such nights, I began to spend these sleepless hours in prayer.

Weeks passed, and I was getting pretty foggy and tired even though meditation is supposed to help with concentration and alertness. I wondered if I had somehow overdone the meditation.

Then, one morning at around 3:45 a.m., I felt a warm presence fill the room. In response, my body temperature seemed to rise and I felt deliriously happy.

A voice that I didn’t recognize filled my mind and told me in tones that were more resonant and powerful than James Earl Jones on his best day that I should hold a meeting for all of my clients to celebrate and share their greatest accomplishments on the autumnal equinox. At the end of the meeting, I should announce that I would be starting a 20 year project to find ways for the whole world to make 400 years of normal progress in only 20 years, beginning in 2015 and finishing in 2035. For the next few weeks, I could think of little else.

What had happened? I prayed over the experience quite a bit and concluded that God had sent me a message. Why me? I have no idea. Maybe He couldn’t find anyone else crazy enough to take on such an impossible task. I certainly felt that only God would know how to do it.

Why that timeframe? I don’t know, but it later occurred to me as I wrote this book that the 2000th anniversary of Jesus’ resurrection would occur during 2015-2035. Perhaps that was an important connection. But who knows except God?

How would I pursue this project? I had no idea, not even a clue. All I knew was that I was supposed to make this announcement at the autumnal equinox . . . and I did. The rest of just amazing history.

I suspect that you, too, should expect the unexpected from mediating. I hope my experience will inspire and encourage you to explore new territory through this inner-directed experience.

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Learning to meditate is much easier than most people would suppose due to the myths that have sprung up around this long practised method of relaxation. Many imagine that it is difficult and can only be undertaken after years of intensive training and long hours of discomfort.

This is most certainly not the case and anyone can meditate if they simply have the desire to do so. The first thing to do is to create an atmosphere conducive to relaxation and this begins by turning off the radio, the television, your cell phone and any other distractions. Ensure that you will not be disturbed for the duration.

The key to meditation is relaxation, so remove any tight clothing and ensure that you are comfortably dressed. Do not try to meditate in an area that is too warm or too cold for you to be at your ease. Light several candles or use fragrant oils to perfume the air. Also ensure that you have eaten and have had something to drink before you begin.

Make yourself comfortable by relaxing in a position that will put you at your ease. You do not have to adopt the lotus position to be able to meditate. Reclining on a couch or being seated in a chair is perfectly fine so long as you can feel utterly relaxed.

This is an important aspect of the process to ensure that you can direct your focus without having any physical distractions. Relax, gently close your eyes and start to concentrate on your breathing. Try to create a circular pattern to your breath, visualizing that the inhale is one half of the circle, the exhale the other half.

As you slow your breathing, deepening the action, clear your mind of any immediate worries or concerns. If any thoughts come up, acknowledge them and let them go. Focus again on your breathing and then see if you can recognize any tension or pain anywhere in your body. If you do, see the breathe as releasing it on the exhalation, drawing in healing breath on the inhalation.

You are, in fact, now meditating, but at first this will take a while to master, to keep the stillness of the mind and to keep your focus on something as simple as your breathing. Do not be frustrated at the thoughts that come up, just keep clearing them away. Perseverance will pay off and over time you will increase the time you can spend in this manner.

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Brainwave entrainment is the easiest and fastest way to achieve meditation benefits while you learn to meditate.

Naturally, the question is: what is brainwave entrainment and how does it help me achieve a meditation mind? The answer lies in the use of monaural, binaural and isochronic beats.

Monaural beats are a single pulse at a single frequency which is repeated beneath other soothing sounds. Binaural beats are a repetitive beat which is phased at different frequencies to each ear. The brain compensates for the difference by creating a third tone. This captures the conscious mind and it gradually begins to attune to the pulse of the tones.

Isochronic tones on the other hand, are created by an evenly spaced pulsing of tones at a far higher frequency (although variable depending on the purpose of the meditation) which rapidly synchronizes the brain patterns with them. Pound for pound, isochronic tones are far more powerful than either monaural or binaural beats, especially when it comes to guided meditations.

What this means is that using isochronic tones allows the mind to rapidly achieve a very relaxed state and immediately begin to receive meditation benefits. Another advantage of using brainwave entrainment, is that no effort is required on the part of the meditator. In fact, the more passive you are, the better. You just listen to the soothing sounds of water, wind, rain and music with the pulse in the background, while your mind effortlessly achieves deep meditation. When the mp3 finishes, you are pleasantly surprised because your conscious mind has been elsewhere, allowing the creativity of the sub-conscious mind to surface.

By varying the speed and the content of the isochronic tones, it is possible to accurately target the areas of your life that you wish to improve. Whether it be for stress relief,  lowering blood pressure, (yes, that is just one of the meditation benefits), reducing cholesterol, achieving lucid dreaming or even awakening your esp. Using a meditation download of targeted isochronic tones will assist them all.

I use these mp3 meditation downloads because I have found that they really do change my mind.

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if you think meditate is easy, you are correct. Meditation is simple all right however the question is, “Is it easy?”
Remember that life includes things that are fairly simple yet difficult to try and do. Meditation is one of them.

ok this is step by step learn to meditate for everyone, don’t worry it’s easy

first step is please unplugged the phone, turned off the television and also the lights.

next, may ligthing a candle and good incense would helpful. But wait, how did you sit? Did you force yourself as a lotus stance? the “lotus” usually cross-legged
position where you two soles are resting on your own thighs.

were you in a position to sit still or did you are feeling your legs hurting and lower back aching? In that case, it really is doubtful should you be able to relax dan quiet your
mind. Most likely you started to recall a lot of things that you did or must do, with saveral thought running amonk in your mind. it is also not surprising
when you decided to give up and instead, sleep through what might have been your meditation.

Once you find a comfortable sitting position for you, you can use spoken or silent mantra, or listen to soothing meditation music or sound, or focus on a candle, burning incense or other small objects, or just simply breath. Breathing should be natural and through the nose. Head is tilted slightly downward and the body is completely relaxed. Recognize thoughts without judgment and bring back concentration to the original object of focus.

Remember that these learn to meditate methods have no goals, there is no bad or good meditation, there is simply guided meditate

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