What is meditation

Meditation is a conscious effort to change how the mind works.  It is about listening to our inner voice and calm

Is meditation important?

Yes, it is. No matter how much we may wish to be good, if we cannot change the desires that make us act the way we do, change will be difficult. An example of this is when we intend to be more patient and not lose our temper at the kids when they are running riot, you make a concerted effort to stay calm but before you know it the intention has gone out of the window as our mental habits come to the surface.   Meditation helps to develop the awareness and that energy which is needed to transform in-grained mental habit patterns.

Meditation is now accepted as having a highly therapeutic effect upon the mind and is used by many professional mental health workers and hypnotherapists to help induce relaxation, overcome phobias and bring about self-awareness.  It has been used since for thousands of years and can be done anywhere even with only 5 minutes to spare.  See Mediation in a rush!

Try this basic mediation which is good for beginners and those of you who have struggled to relax enough to mediate in the past.

Basic Relaxation Techniques for the mind and body

The following exercises aim to relax any physical tension and stress, they are simple exercises to do and will relax and calm you in preparation for any mediation.

 First get your self comfortable, select something to lay on, or simply sit in a comfortable chair.  Either way you must be comfortable.   Make sure the room is quiet and warm, your clothes must be loose and comfortable.
Now, take a deep breathe and while holding the breathe in, tense every muscle in your body as hard and tight as you can, increase the tension as much as you possibly can,  then relax totally whilst breathing out. Wait a few seconds and repeat the process, focus on the words Release and let go.  Repeat this 3 or 4 times.
You will feel your body sag as the tension releases, you should also experience a nice kind of tiredness.

 Next, you may wish to do this to each part of your body, starting with your feet, squeeze and relax as above each individual part of your body working upwards.  Your legs, buttocks, stomach etc to the head area.
This technique relaxes muscles, increase blood and lymph flow and brings a general well being to the physical body.

You have now relaxed phsically now its time for mental relaxation.

Firstly ensure that the room is quite and any background noise is minimal.  Ensure you are undisturbed.  If you prefer some background relaxing music is a good way to counteract any outside noises but ensure that it isnt loud enough to distract your thoughts.

Close your eyes,
Now relax your body and slowly breath in and out, concentrating totally on your breath as you do it.  Hear it, feel it, now slowly imagine all the stresses and strains of the day rising to the top of your head, imagine a trapdoor that you open slowly releasing all of that tension to your guides and angels to take away.  Feel the release as the tension lifts out of your body and disappears.  Relax in the knowledge that the tension and stress of everyday life has now gone for today.  When you feel that you are "empty" then simply visualise yourself closing the trapdoor.  Revel in the feeling of being free and although a little tired you are completely free of any worry and tension and will be for the rest of the day and enjoy.


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