Meditation Techniques

Medical research has uncovered many benefits of meditation to the human body and mind. These tips will help you understand how to meditate correctly.

When you meditate, your body and mind are both relaxed and alert. If you just relax... well, that's not meditating. That's taking a nap. Meditation requires focus and presence. You become awareness itself, with no thoughts of judging or even interpretation. Just experiencing experience.

It takes practice to still the mind of it's chattering thoughts and fantasies. You don't want to blank your mind, though. That's a common misconception. When you learn to meditate the right way you are not a vacant, insensible mannequin. You just don't attach any importance to your thoughts. Let them come and go like clouds in the sky. Over time, the chattering will still, the clouds in your inner sky will clear.

To meditate the right way, take off your shoes, put on loose, comfortable clothing, and find a place relatively free of distractions. Distractions are a common problem for people who are just beginning to meditate. When you master the art of meditation you'll find that you can meditate on a bench next to a busy city intersection without any problem, but at first you'll want to minimize distractions as much as possible.

Sit comfortably with your back erect, but not rigid. No slouching! You can sit cross-legged on the floor or in a comfortable chair. You can close your eyes or keep them slightly open. It's helpful for the beginner to focus on something. Many focus on their breathing. You can count your breaths. One, inhale; two, exhale. Or you can repeat a word or phrase, just a bit of nonsense is best so you don't get distracted and caught up in the meaning. La-la or shi-doo is fine. This is called a mantra. There is a lot of mysticism associated with mantras, but really it's just something for a person who's beginning a meditation routine to focus on. You can also focus on parts of your body, naming them and releasing the tension in each part as you continue. Eventually you will want to simply focus on being present and experiencing the act of experiencing.

Meditation is a powerful self improvement tool to increase one's concentration, focus, and attention, and provides a very positive attitude. Start improving your life today with a relaxing and energizing meditation routine!