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MeditationLifeSkills.com

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    • What Is Meditation And Its Benefits – Lesson 2
    • Why Meditate? Why Examine Our Mind? – Lesson 3
    • Meditation Benefits For Health, Brain, and Body – Lesson 4
    • Is Meditation Good For You? 12 Myths and Misconceptions – Lesson 5
    • Emptiness In Buddhism: A Confusing Concept Indeed – Lesson 6
    • Scientific Benefits Of Meditation For Better Health – Lesson 7
    • Different Types Of Meditation: Which One Works For You? – Lesson 8
    • How To Do Meditation At Home: A Definitive Guide – Lesson 9
    • 6 Meditation For Beginners Videos – Lesson 10
    • Frequently Asked Questions about Meditation – Lesson 11
    • Meditation Steps For Beginners Conclusion – Lesson 12
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importance of meditation

by Don Weyant/Meditation Life Skills

10 Reasons Why Your Meditation Practice Isn’t Effective…

Meditation Practice

Your daily meditation practice is simple, cheap, and highly effective, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. And to be honest, meditation techniques for beginners is pretty easy, it’s just not quite the experience you may expect it to be. But that’s ok, let me explain.

Beginners have all sorts of challenges when first learning how to meditate, but most of these challenges aren’t really problems. The complaints beginners have are simply part of learning the meditation process and understanding how to meditate effectively with a daily meditation practice.

How To Meditate: Understanding the Purpose of Meditation

Many religions and philosophies advocate meditation. Meditation is also used for self-help and personal development purposes. While all of these things might have slightly different methods, many of these meditation techniques are similar in practice and application.

Most of us feel we have a reasonable understanding of the meditation process, but many of us can’t really describe the importance of meditation and the actual purpose that it may serve in our personal lives.

Meditation Podcast: 3 Easy Steps To Start Your Daily Meditation Practice At Home

Meditation Facts: A daily meditation practice brings many benefits:

* It’s the one time your mind really gets a rest. Your mind is constantly active. It’s thinking about ten different things every 15 seconds. It’s telling you that you need a drink of water. It’s worrying about your date next Saturday and reminding you that you don’t have enough money in your bank account to pay your cable bill and the list goes on.

* Sleep isn’t any better. In your dreams, you’re largely acting and behaving the same way you do while awake. You’re still worrying about the same stuff during your dreams. Sleep is great for resting your body, but it’s not as useful for resting your mind.

In meditation, you create a space where your mind is essentially in a relaxed focus state of being. In many forms of meditation, you focus on one thing and concentrate all your thoughts on that single item or idea. It’s incredibly relaxing for your mind and body once you take the time to learn how to meditate each day.

Meditation For Beginners: 20 Practical Tips To Quiet the Mind HERE…

* You must learn how to focus. Learning how to focus using meditation is one of the main meditation techniques for beginners that will take you down the road to successful meditation practice. When you think of meditation, do you imagine someone sitting alone in a quiet room with subdued lighting?

This is the easiest way to meditate, with no distractions. It’s like meditation with training wheels. But you could actually learn to be meditating most of your day as well.

* It’s easiest to learn to start your meditation practice under ideal conditions. Then, try expanding your meditation skills to other activities. You know you can really meditate when you can stay calm, happy, and focused on a loud, hot, busy, smelly subway. Don’t live near the subway? Try a long day with the in-laws.

* Most of us focus very poorly. Imagine how much better you would feel and how much more you would accomplish if you could stay focused on the activity at hand. Plus, it’s hard to worry about every other aspect of your life when you’re controlling the content of your thoughts.

* You can find answers to almost any problem in life. When your mind is running a hundred miles an hour, it’s difficult to find elegant solutions to your challenges. Your brain needs a little space and relaxation to find effective solutions to tough challenges. Your meditation practice can provide that needed space for your mind to develop an effective solution.

Meditation Podcast: Beautiful Guided Meditation and Script For Relaxation and Healing Your Mind and Body

Have you ever noticed that many of your best ideas have come while doing something that occupies your mind in a rather mindless way? Activities like mowing the grass, taking a shower, or driving down the highway with little traffic are great for solving problems. Your mind is occupied but free to wander a little. Meditation is similar to this activity, but with meditation, you control the process of problem-solving.

* A daily meditation practice is healthy for the mind, body, and spirit. Stress is incredibly hard on the body both mentally and physically. Meditation reduces stress, lowers your pulse rate and blood pressure, and improves sleep on many levels.

Powerful 5 Minute Guided Gratitude Meditation With Script HERE…

* Meditation can be done quickly. You’d be surprised how much more you can accomplish and how much more enjoyable your day is when you meditate for a few minutes several times a day. Five minutes twice a day is a great place to start. Set a timer or find a five minute meditative mp3 to get started.

* Meditation isn’t just for a yogi in India sitting on top of a mountain in solitude. Anyone can use meditation to bring rest and peace into their life. It can also improve your performance in almost all areas of your life. Learn to meditate and enjoy a greater quality of life.

A daily meditation practice can work for anyone that puts in the time and effort. You just need to learn a few basic meditation techniques that appeal to you and your lifestyle. Then, you can expand your practice into a process that you can call your own.

Your Inner Self: 4 Easy Steps To Awaken With Meditation HERE…

Remember, you can’t do meditation wrong, any process that allows you to work meditation into your personal lifestyle is what you are striving for. Learn the basics and build on your success.

Meditation techniques for beginners

The Top 10 Reasons Why Your Meditation Practice Might Not Be Working For You

Are any of these challenges holding you back?

1. Your mind is too active. Of course, it’s active. It takes practice before the mind quiets down, and it’s rarely silent even after years of practice. It takes about 20 minutes for experienced meditators to notice a complete slowing down of the mind.

This isn’t really a problem. Part of the purpose of meditating is to learn how your mind operates. Daily practice is the key to learning how to relax your mind and create an effective meditation practice.

Learn About Mindfulness Activities For Better Productivity HERE…

Key meditation concept: Always return your focus on your breath. This will calm your mind, if your thoughts drift off your breath, just return to your breathing. You may have to do this a lot at the beginning, that’s ok. Some days will be better than others, that’s ok too. Keep it simple and keep meditating each day.

Meditation Podcast: Guided Breathing Meditation for Anxiety, Worry, Stress

2. Your mind wanders off like a kitten in a yarn factory. It’s not uncommon to suddenly realize that you’ve been daydreaming for the last five minutes. The solution is the same as the previous issue. Just return your attention to your breath and continue meditating for as long as you can.

3. A lack of consistency. Meditation needs to be done daily to see the greatest benefits. It also needs to be done every day to gain a high level of proficiency. You can’t become skilled at what you don’t practice. Get as much practice as you can, if you miss a day, just get back to meditating the next day. Look at meditation as a gift to yourself each day. You deserve the best life possible!

4. You fall asleep while trying to meditate. This is a very common problem! It’s not easy to fall asleep if you have the proper meditation position. It should be impossible to stay asleep if you have the proper posture, as you’re sure to lose your balance and fall over.

The best position for meditating is to sit up with your spine as straight as possible. If you lie down, you may struggle to stay awake. You will find that over time you may be able to lie down and still meditate effectively. If you have physical problems sitting, by all means, lay down or try a walking meditation method. Any meditation teacher can assist you in learning different meditation methods to help you along.

5. Body aches and pains. Your body will need to get used to this new activity. Holding one position for a long time can be painful, especially when you’re just starting out with meditation. Start with five to ten minutes a day and work up to twenty minutes if possible. Over time, your aches and pains will largely go away during your meditation session.

Meditation, or what some doctors call mindfulness meditation, is a practice that involves focusing on breathing while blocking out the surrounding environment. A study from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health asked patients to engage in meditation while also getting a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Then, the researchers gave participants the medication naloxone (Narcan). This medicine blocks opioid receptors in the brain. Participants then engaged in meditation while they underwent another MRI.

At the end of the study, researchers found that people reported pain relief from meditation, even when they had taken naloxone to block opioid receptors. The researchers concluded that there are many other pathways in the body, other than opioid receptors, that could help relieve pain. This is promising for those who want to relieve pain using other approaches besides opioid pain relievers.


Orange County Rehab - Drug & Alcohol Addiction Treatment - Asana RecoveryClick on this link from Asana Recovery to find out more information about how you can use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Meditation to Treat Pain Without Opioids and Why You Should Consider an Alternative to Opioids.


It’s best to try to remain as still as possible, completely relaxing into your preferred position. Shifting your position will only give temporary relief, and the process starts all over again. No matter how much it hurts, you’ll find the pain fades away if you stay still.

This, like learning to focus is part of the meditation learning curve. Tens of millions of people all over the world have learned how to meditate, you can too if you just keep practicing each day, it gets easier each time you meditate.

Itches fall into the same category. Just leave them alone and observe them. It’s interesting and amusing how the itching just disappears just by observing the itching. Meditation is about the exploration of your mind, body, and spirit, It’s an amazing learning life process, and you will never be the same.

You can learn how to use these distractions as your meditation object, just like you use your breath as a meditation object. The meditation object can be a word, or a physical object such as a candle, any consistent external noise or body sensation (including pain) that you focus on can become your meditation object.

It could be a mental picture that you can hold in your mind while your eyes are closed. It could also be a meditation mantra that holds special meaning to you. This is a great area of exploration to determine what works for you.

6. Boredom is part of the learning process as well. Yes, meditation can be boring, especially if you’re used to significantly more stimulation. Learn to sit still with your boredom and just observe it. Boredom can be more fascinating than you might think. I know that sounds crazy, I get it, give it a try and find out for yourself. This is your personal meditation process that you will develop over time. I consider meditation to be the ultimate personal development program!

7. Rationalizing that quitting is a bad idea. You have much more to lose than you can possibly know at this time. You are reading about meditation right now for a reason. Listen to your inner self and trust yourself completely. Common thoughts include things like, “This is a waste of time.” “Why am I doing this?” “Is this all there is?” Again, just sit with your thoughts and notice them. Every thought is as meaningless as the next.

Just realize that it’s your discomfort with the stillness that’s bothering you. You’ll come to understand that many of the things you do in your life are to avoid this feeling. This includes things like staring at the TV and overeating. Change can be a good thing here, listen to your inner spirit.

8. Finding time to meditate. This excuse is hardly a valid excuse. Go to bed 20 minutes early and sit in a chair and meditate. Or get up 20 minutes early and do the same. The truth is, after a little practice, you can meditate at your desk or on a bus. Either way, you win!

Meditation Podcast: Simple Ways You Can Start Meditating Today!

If you have time to watch TV, surf the internet, or play games on your phone, you had time to meditate. Put yourself first in line for your daily activities, the payoff is a much better, happier and more productive life.

9. Desiring perfection in your meditation practice. Perfection in meditation isn’t achievable, but you don’t need to be perfect. Put in the time with your best effort. That’s all that’s required. This is a process that will expand over time with accruing benefits for the rest of your life. It’s hard to explain with words but isn’t a few minutes each day worth a truly balanced, awakened, and productive life worth it to you?

10. Expecting more from your daily meditation practice. A daily meditation practice rarely involves earth-shattering insights. It’s a gradual process that brings understanding over time. Your enlightenment is a process like anything worth doing in life, this is a lifestyle that will serve you in ways you can’t even imagine in your wildest dreams. Like all truly good things in life, it takes desire and dedication to produce the desired results.

Look at it this way, the days, weeks, months and years of your life will pass no matter how you choose to live them. Why not add the gift of meditation to your life so that in the future you can look back over your life and say, wow that was a great way to live, I’m so grateful I learned to meditate and achieved the life I truly desired.

These problems above aren’t really problems per se. They’re simply misunderstandings of what normally occurs during a meditation session. Just keep at it and have faith that everything is as it should be.

Start simple, learn and explore the different methods of meditation, listen and trust your inner self to develop a meditation practice that works for you and you alone. That, my friend, is truly living the life you desire.

Filed Under: Difficulty Meditating, Effective Techniques For Meditation, Learn How To Meditate Properly, Meditation For Beginners Guides Tagged With: daily meditation practice, how to meditate daily, importance of meditation, meditation facts, meditation practice, Meditation techniques for beginners

by Don Weyant/Meditation Life Skills

The Life-Changing Practice Of Meditation For Your Best Life

Practice Of Meditation

The practice of meditation is a way for us to be still for a while and let our minds become focused until we become calm enough to deal with the daily pressures of life.

Today we live in a fast-paced world. Things happen so quickly that more often than not, we do not have the chance to react to the things thrown at us. We somehow lose the ability to think things over in favor of lightning-quick decisions.

But it shouldn’t be so. Every one of us needs to slow down a little from time to time and be calm. Otherwise, stress will build up and will affect how we deal with the people around us, not only in the workplace but also at home.

Buddha was once asked: “What have you gained from meditation?”  To which he responded: “Nothing! However, let me tell you what I lost: anger, anxiety, depression, insecurity, fear of old age and death.”

Science reveals that our mind and body benefit from taking time out of your daily life to learn the practice of meditation. The benefits of meditation are endless.  It is proven to be an effective way of enhancing the quality of life by improving physical, mental, and emotional well being.

Meditation techniques are constantly undergoing scientific scrutiny. Research often provides new insights into the effects of meditation on both the mind and body.

What is meditationSome may think that the practice of meditation is a completely religious practice. While it is true that a lot of religions, especially Eastern ones, take meditation as an integral part of their practice, it is not necessarily the case. In fact, more and more people who aren’t necessarily religious get into the practice of meditation.

People practice meditation for a variety of reasons. While we already mentioned that it helps us become still in this fast-paced world, other people meditate for health reasons and to attain a higher state of consciousness, among others.

So if you think that life is stressing you out, it’s probably time for you to slow things down a little bit. Your mind is probably too distracted with so many things to consider and to think about. The practice of meditation can help you calm down and let you be stress and worry-free.

Meditation in recent years has seen an upsurge in popularity. This is probably because our lifestyles today are more complicated and stressful than it was just 30 years ago and meditation is helpful in managing stress as well as having many other health benefits.

In this infographic, we share 10 reasons why the practice of meditation is beneficial.

It focuses more on daily meditation because that’s where the most benefits are seen. Although any meditation you do will see benefits, meditating on a daily basis has many more benefits than just meditating once a week. Try it for yourself and see if you agree.

10 Reasons Why Daily Meditation Is So Beneficial

Original infographic provided by Meditative Wisdom.

Meditation Makes Your Brain Plastic

Plastic meaning that our brains can change.  That means our brain’s potential is not set at birth — we can actually strengthen and improve our brains in ways once science said is impossible. When we train our minds to focus we are happy. Keeping your attention focused on the present, accepting the moment without judgment, has been studied extensively for its infusion of positive psychological benefits.

Many scientists are now saying, focusing our awareness is where we find our true happiness. Understanding that the mind and body are one entity and that the energetic quality of the mind is the essence of life, focusing our awareness through the practice of meditation is a practical strategy for health, happiness, and transformation.

The Practice Of Meditation Increases Your Brains, Gray Matter

One way of measuring brain-change is looking at the distribution of Gray Matter Volume, which plays an important role in mental health, behavior, and cognitive functions.  A 2005 study on American men and women who meditated a mere 40 minutes a day showed that their brains displayed thicker cortical walls than non-meditators. What this could possibly mean is that their brains were aging at a slower rate. Cortical thickness is also associated with decision making, attention, and memory.

Meditation Protects Your DNA

Telomeres are the protective caps at the end of each strand of DNA that protect our chromosomes.  They are likened to the plastic tips at the end of our shoelaces. “Telomere length represents our biological age as opposed to our chronological age”. Longer telomeres mean that you’re also likely to live longer. Research done by the University of California, Davis’ Shamatha Project has shown that meditators have significantly higher telomerase activity than non-meditators. Telomerase an enzyme that builds telomeres.

It appears that the more telomerase activity one has, means stronger and longer telomeres. So what you may say?  We know that telomeres shorten over time naturally, and the shorter length is linked to a number of chronic illnesses, so increasing telomere length is thought to indicate healthier aging.

Meditation Can Improve Concentration

Today, there are a lot of things that help in keeping us entertained. On the internet alone, there is a multitude of websites that do such that video sharing sites, gaming sites, and other websites that cater to our interests.

While there is nothing wrong with entertaining ourselves, a problem arises with our constant need for distractions. Because of that, it becomes difficult for us to focus on one thing.

We do not need to take extreme measures to help us focus. There are practices which can do the job for us. It includes the practice of meditation.

People take up the practice of meditation for different purposes and improving concentration is one of them. There are several methods by which meditation does its job.

One is through breathing exercises. Even an exercise that is as simple as being aware of the times we inhale and exhale can do wonders for our ability to concentrate. While it may sound easy, it can be quite difficult especially if one has to deal with distractions such as outside noise.

Another method is by reciting a mantra. A mantra is a phrase or a sound that is recited repeatedly. For Catholics, praying the rosary is a form of a mantra. The repetition becomes the center of the meditation to which the person’s attention becomes focused.

There are other more methods by which meditation can help improve concentration. However, the two mentioned above are the most basic and could help beginners start out with the practice.

Breathing is an Integral Tool in the Practice Of Meditation

Proper breathing is required in many practices of meditation and is, therefore, an important tool to be possessed by people who wish to perform this activity.

The practice of proper breathing while meditating helps you relax while doing the exercise. Proper breathing is achieved by inhaling through the nose, letting the diaphragm (not the chest) expand, and exhaling through the mouth. Doing this slows down your heart rate which leads to a relaxed mood.

Breathing also plays a significant role when we aim to improve our concentration. This is done by focusing the mind on the act of taking in air and feeling it pass through the nostrils until the air is finally exhaled through the mouth. While this may sound easy, it can be quite challenging when done for the first time.

Then there’s the method for increasing your awareness. Just like the concentration technique mentioned above, it involves putting your attention to your breathing. But instead of focusing on the act of inhaling and exhaling air, it is the sensation of breathing where you train your thoughts. The feeling of the air passing through the nose, filling the lungs, and expanding the diaphragm is the sensation that you should look for. It helps you feel how it is to be truly alive.

I have shown you how important breathing is in the practice of meditation. It is no wonder, therefore, that the two are inseparable activities that a student of meditation should learn.

Meditation and Dealing with Fears and Phobias

Every person has a phobia of certain things, be it of heights or speaking in front of people. While most people overcome their fears, some are crippled by them. This, therefore, prevents them from doing things that they would otherwise find enjoyable.

The practice of meditation is one way for people trapped by their phobias to finally get out of their shell and start living the full life. A definition of fear is that it is the anxiety caused by perceived danger. It is the state of mind by which a person foresees something wrong happening either to him/her or the people around him/her.

Meditation helps in overcoming a person’s fear by altering his/her state of mind. There are several ways by which this practice can help people achieve this.

One such way is called mindfulness meditation. By training to live in the now, your attention is veered away from the future where that person perceives the danger. Besides, it is only a mere perception and such an event may or may not actually happen.

Visualization can also help cope with fear by making the person imagine what they will do in case the perceived danger comes. By being mentally prepared for such an event, the person will be able to deal with the future situation better. Again, fear is a mere state of mind. Facing it, therefore, needs some alteration in the person’s perception of what may or may not happen. It can be achieved through the practice of meditation.

Understanding Meditation and Pain Management

Anyone who has heard of the expression about the power of mind over matter will easily understand the benefit of meditation on people suffering from different forms of physical pain. We will deal with several methods by which meditation can help in alleviating this condition.

Concentration techniques in meditation can help in easing suffering by keeping their minds away from the source of the pain. Usually, the pain is magnified because people choose to focus on it. If their attention is trained somewhere else, the pain becomes more manageable.

Another method is called mindfulness meditation. This involves being aware of one’s present condition and accepting it as such. If a person accepts that they are currently in pain, dealing with it would be much easier.

Then there’s visualization. It could be considered a form of self-hypnosis. It is done by creating an image of the pain and imagining it moving away from the body. A study showed that its participants’ perception of pain reduced significantly after just three 20-minute sessions of meditation!

This is because meditation changes the way the mind perceives pain. It trains the brain to be present which helps its practitioners to not anticipate pain. As suggested by these methods, they do not actually take away the pain. Rather, they make dealing with the pain much easier.

This is also the reason why methods like those mentioned should be coupled with proper medical advice. In fact, consulting one’s doctor is advised before even trying the meditation exercises out. Otherwise, there will be a risk of overlooking more serious conditions that could be causing the pain. Along with the proper medical advice, the practice of meditation has been proven to help improve tolerance for pain.

When life gets you down, de-stressing is the name of the game…

There are the runners, the readers, the video gamers, the bakers, the eaters, and then there are the meditators. No doubt you have heard of the wonderful and mystical world of meditation, but most people probably have not tried it for themselves.

Those same people probably believe they can’t meditate. Admittedly, with the fast-paced world we live in, it can be hard to calm the mind and sit still for any period of time. But the practice of meditation is still possible. There are many other misconceptions about meditation; however, with some helpful information, you can master the art of meditation and naturally utilize it to relax.

Importance Of Meditation - Infographic

Source:  http://liveanddare.com/benefits-of-meditation/

5 Misconceptions and Common Myths About The Practice Of Meditation

Misconceptions and Common Myths About Meditation

1) Empty Mind:

The practice of meditation, contrary to common belief, does not completely still the mind. Meditation practitioners instead observe the mind in its unfettered state. Your mind never stops thinking. It’s impossible because that’s what it does. But slowing our minds, however, and focusing on the thoughts that come through can provide insight into what causes our stress. Once that has been addressed, we can more easily and effectively deal with said stress.

2) Religious Practice:

It’s true that meditation developed from religious or spiritual practices. But meditation itself is secular. There is no present belief system attached to meditation, so no added pressure! The practice of meditation is all about no pressure. It allows you to be kinder to yourself, so you can chillax, relax and detox from your busy life.

3) Years of Hard Work:

You don’t need to be a super master unicorn of the practice of meditation to get the best results. It’s not necessary to practice hours of meditation for years to reap the benefits. According to scientific evidence, as little as 10 minutes of meditation a day can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve clarity, focus the mind, and help foster an overall sense of wellbeing. It’s that easy and simple, and rewarding too.

4) Calm Personality:

You need to be calm to meditate. FALSE! There’s no certain personality type that finds it easier to meditate. Meditation makes people calmer and more gentle and compassionate by repetition. By consistently meditating, people who are willing to invest the time in meditation can find balance and a calmer side of themselves.

5) Weird positions and strange words:

Sitting with your legs folded over your head and chanting witchcraft words, that’s what meditation is. Nope. That is a teetotal myth and one that has been perpetuated by the media. True, some meditation practitioners recite mantras while they meditate for hours. That being said, there is no standard for the practice of meditation.

The chanting and hour-long sitting are optional. You can meditate in silence, or with music, and practice in any position you want. You can sit, stand, drive, or even lie down (Try not to fall asleep if you do the latter. That’s not meditating; that’s napping). Ask any meditation practitioner and they will tell you that they meditate while riding the bus to work, in their office chair, and after waking up in the morning.

It can be done anywhere and in any way. There are no brownie points for making yourself uncomfortable. Remember, meditation is used to calm the mind and relax the body. If you aren’t comfortable, you can’t meditate.

Facts About The Practice Of Meditation

Facts About Meditation

These days, going to the doctor when you are sick is not the only way so you will feel better. According to the National Center for Complementary Medicine, meditation is among the top 10 alternative therapy treatments. But before we get into that, it is best we learn some meditation facts.

First, the practice of meditation means awareness. Why? This is because your senses are heightened as you concentrate on your breathing and your hearing is sharper than before. You tell your mind to block out these distractions so you are able to find inner peace which you can carry with you when you open your eyes.

Some think that meditation is a religion when in fact it is a science. This is because numerous studies done in the past show that those who practice it feel relaxed, are physically fit, have improvements in their academic standing in school, and have an increase in their productivity at work.

But where did the word meditation come from? This comes from two Latin words. The first is called “Meditari” which means to think, dwell upon, or exercise the mind. The second is “Mederi” which is to heal. If you put these all together, it describes basically what this activity is which is a time for you to reach deep in your mind and recharge.

Meditation Improves Your Memory

Research at UCLA showed that long-term meditation increases gyrification – which refers to the folding of the cortex. More folds on the cortex create more surface area, which allows for a better ability to retain information. A separate study by the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging also showed that those who practice meditation are able to adjust their brain waves better. Meditation practitioners are able to screen out distractions faster than non-meditators, giving their brains more room to accept and retain new information.

Meditation slows down neurodegenerative diseases

A study at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center suggests a link between positive brain changes like stress reduction as a result of the practice of meditation to the slowing of the progression of age-related cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. According to the study, Alzheimer’s patients who were part of the study showed less cognitive decline after an 8-week mindfulness stress reduction program than those who didn’t take part. Instead, these patients showed higher levels of well-being.

Meditation increases your ability to multitask

In an article by Scientific American on How to Be a Better Driver, the editors suggested taking up meditation, as it increases the brain’s ability to multitask. A study by the University of Washington showed that people who practiced mindfulness meditation two hours a week for eight weeks had better focus during multitasking tests than those who didn’t. Why is this – you asked? The main reason is that meditation practice allowed them to notice interruptions and distractions without losing focus on their present task!

As you can see, the practice of meditation has benefits that are physiological, physical, and psychological. You don’t have to take any pills or get a prescription from a doctor. It is free and it doesn’t consume much of your time. This can be done in 5 to 20 minutes each day. You just have to sit comfortably and close your eyes then continue with whatever you were doing.

Given that meditation has been practiced for centuries, various movements have emerged. But regardless of their names or techniques, this can be grouped into two basic approaches.

The first is called concentrative meditation. Here, the person focuses his or her attention on the breath, an image, or a sound to create greater awareness and for clarity to come forth. Think of it like you are looking at something through a microscope so you are able to narrow your focus.

This is quite easy since all you have to do is sit down and just breathe. The correct way of doing it is to inhale and exhale slowly because as this becomes deeper and slower, your mind becomes more aware and tranquil.

The second type is called mindfulness meditation. Just like concentrative meditation, the person sits quietly and then reflects on his or her feelings, sensations, and thoughts. These things come to mind one at a time without the person calling on any of them to come forth. It just appears and no action is taken so that when you wake up, you see the bigger picture and know what you have to do.

Which meditation technique is the best of all? There is no correct answer to that because this depends entirely on the personality of the individual.

The one fact about the practice of meditation you should remember is that regardless of what you choose, its focus is to quiet the busy mind.

It does not remove the stimulation which you feel but rather directs your concentration to something else to achieve that inner peace. You just have to keep an open mind to see what the practice of meditation can do for you because it is a science.

Filed Under: Learn How To Meditate Properly, Meditation For Beginners Guides Tagged With: Benefits Of Daily Meditation, daily meditation practice, How To Meditate Effectively, importance of meditation, Learn Meditation, Meditation Myths, Practice Of Meditation

by Don Weyant/Meditation Life Skills

The Importance Of Meditation: 4 Painless Tips To Empower You

importance of meditationThe importance of meditation can be confusing and even be intimidating to some people. Meditation is an art form that dates back thousands of years and can be used as the ultimate self-improvement tool.

It is well known for being a practice that monks and other religious people participated in for the many benefits of meditation.

Today the importance of meditation is often associated with many health benefits for the mind and the body. Many methods of meditation are being used today, and what many people don’t realize, is that there is more than just one form of meditation.

The practice of meditation allows you to learn how to relax your mind and your body.  At the same time, you can learn how to love again, have compassion, improve your generosity, and to forgive things are just some of the importance of meditation in your life.

10 Reasons Why Your Meditation Practice Isn’t Effective…

The best way to describe the importance of meditation is by this; it is a practice that allows a person to train their mind to a better way of thinking. This could be to stop focusing on the past and let things go or to develop a more positive mindset.

Buddhist monks use meditation on a daily basis and it helped them perform all of their rituals. Almost all Buddhist monks use things like prayer beads or mantras to help them keep track of things that needed to be accomplished and to help them stay in the present moment throughout the day’s activities.

Consider These 4 Tips To Empower Your Life:

1. Slow down. The stress of rushing around can erode your confidence. You’ll probably accomplish more with less effort as meditation trains you to move more deliberately. Figure out your priorities and shorten your to-do list. Take breaks throughout the day to prevent burnout.

2. Express gratitude. Being thankful makes you feel more secure and connected to others. You’ll have the confidence to take worthwhile risks and try new things. Your warm and relaxed attitude will also make it easier to collaborate with others.

3. Keep practicing. Change is usually a gradual process. Be patient with yourself as you build your confidence. Expect some setbacks and evaluate your progress on a regular basis. You’ll probably find that meditating is more productive on some days than others. You’re a success as long as you keep trying.

4. Create a balance. Understanding the importance of meditation in your life helps you to look at the big picture. As you balance the various aspects of your life, your confidence, and peace of mind increase.

Meditation Success: 10 Easy Guidelines You Can Use Today

Many religions incorporate some form of meditation into their beliefs

It is often used to help clear the mind and to sync your body and mind together. Mantras were often performed while in a sitting position and helped a person develop a calm state of mind.

The Quiet Mind – Why Is Meditation Universally Appealing?

The goal is to relax your mind and become totally aware of your thoughts and feelings. You may wish to focus on your personal goals like losing weight or forgiving someone or learning a new skill for work.

Today it is recognized that the importance of meditation can be done in many ways with tons of benefits

Taking part in yoga is one way to experience the importance of meditation. Sitting and repeating phrases, affirmations, or quotes, is yet another way to meditate. You could learn how to meditate while walking, and many people actually perform meditation this way every day.

There was a time in the past when you had to use strict guidelines and methods for meditation. Today, how you meditate is a personal choice as to which method you want to learn. You want to choose a location and position that is comfortable for you and one that allows you not to be disturbed to understanding the greatest importance of meditation.

importance of meditation in our lifeThe Importance of Meditation In Building Your Self-Confidence

You probably know that one of the main importance of meditation and its benefits is that it’s an effective way to relax, but it can be used for many other purposes too. If you’re trying to build your confidence, daily mindfulness practice may help.

Mindfulness and Meditation: Discover Your Best Personal Power

Self-confidence is one of the most important ingredients for your happiness and success. It makes you feel more motivated and energetic. It helps you to reach your goals. It can even strengthen your relationships and enhance your health.

Do you want to feel surer of yourself and your ability to face life’s challenges? Learn how the importance of meditation can be used to build your self-esteem and confidence.

Using Meditation to Increase Your Awareness

Self-doubts can narrow your experiences and opportunities if you shy away from taking risks. Knowing the importance of meditation creates a safe space for looking at yourself and your habits with honesty and courage.

Try these strategies:

1. Scan your body. Your posture affects your confidence. Start your meditation session by sitting up tall and taking deep breaths. Examine yourself from head to foot to spot any discomfort. Try squeezing your muscles and then releasing them.

2. Let go of judgments. Notice your thoughts and feelings without criticizing them. Embrace your strengths and weaknesses.

3. Challenge your assumptions. Do you cling to outdated beliefs that hold you back? Rewire your thinking by examining your typical reactions and considering more constructive approaches.

4. Make conscious decisions. It’s easy to wind up drifting along on autopilot. Mindfulness practices help you to take charge of your life.

Using Meditation to Generate Compassion

You may be undermining your self-confidence without even realizing it. Paying attention to your thoughts gives you an opportunity to transform the way you treat yourself.

These techniques can help you to be kind to yourself and boost your confidence:

1. Change your self-talk. What does your internal chatter sound like? Replace harsh messages with friendlier feedback.

2. Chant mantras. Reciting uplifting words and phrases is a proven way to stay focused during meditation. Write your own encouraging affirmations or find inspiration in scriptures and self-help books.

Easiest Transcendental Meditation For Beginners Guide

3. Nurture yourself. Scheduling daily meditation time is a great way to start investing in your confidence and wellbeing. Make healthy eating, regular exercise, and restorative sleep part of your routine too.

4. Seek support. Childhood memories and other influences can make it difficult to show compassion for yourself. Consider listening to guided meditations or talking with a therapist if you need more assistance.

Using Meditation to Accomplish More

True confidence comes from within and recognizing your achievements can give you a boost. The importance of meditation teaches you to live more mindfully, and that can help you to excel in your personal and professional life.

Realizing and understanding the importance of meditation can make your confidence soar. When you love and appreciate yourself for who you are, your life becomes richer and more rewarding.

Filed Under: Science-Backed Benefits Of Meditation, Learn How To Meditate Properly, Meditation For Beginners Guides Tagged With: Benefits Of Meditation, importance of meditation, Meditation Benefits

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12 Minute Guided Meditation For Stress And Anxiety In this guided meditation for stress and anxiety, Linda is a Clinical Hypnotherapist at Feel Good Dynamics. She guides you through tried and tested simple techniques to help you to relax. These meditation techniques help to calm you in order to … [Learn How You Can Meditate More Effectively Here...] about Easy 12 Minute Guided Meditation For Stress And Anxiety

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I have done some mindful meditation app heavy lifting and research for you to find the best mindfulness meditation apps. These are just a few but they are very good. Of course, there are other meditation methods within these apps, but all of them excel at teaching and learning … [Learn How You Can Meditate More Effectively Here...] about What Is The Top Mindful Meditation App For Android and iOS?

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