Peaceful Meditation
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Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in Eternal awareness or Pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity.
Francois Marie Arouet a.k.a. Voltaire / writer, philosopher / 1694–1778
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Meditation is a powerful tool that can help you break free from the illusions of fear, focus your mind for the better, and improve your overall health. It can take many forms, and it’s important to find one that suits you best, but the essence is to discipline the mind in order to detach from thought, facilitate calm, and discover peace. In so doing, you can achieve clarity that will positively influence the various aspects of your life. It can also enhance your innate abilities, facilitate the use of those abilities, and increase your awareness. If you don’t meditate already, then set aside any excuses your mind happens to conjure up, and schedule a time to practice. It doesn’t take much. It’s often quite useful first thing in the morning or right before you go to sleep, but its benefits will be effective no matter when you do it. The following list provides techniques for effective meditation:
SAMPLE GUIDE FOR MEDITATION​
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Set aside some time during which you won’t be disturbed.
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Find a private, relaxing place that is relatively quiet if possible.
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Sit comfortably, relax the shoulders, and maintain good posture.
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Rest your hands on your thighs or in your lap.
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Close your eyes or look downward without focus.
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If you won’t fall asleep, then you can lie down as an alternative.
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Breathe deeply and slowly to relax, and increase your oxygen intake.
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Maintain a comfortable position, and let your body relax throughout.
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The goal is to get comfortable without drifting off to sleep.
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Try to ignore itches and aches, but if they persist, then adjust accordingly.
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Focus your awareness on your breath, and remain relaxed.
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Don’t fight your thoughts, but don’t focus on them either.
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Let thoughts come, and let them go like clouds drifting by in the sky.
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Continuously maintain a focus on the various aspects of your breath.
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Optionally, practice visualization, or leverage one of the following techniques.
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Focus on an object, such as a candle’s flame, a plant’s leaf, or a flower.
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Focus on the mental repetition of a positive, meaningful word or phrase.
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Focus on the space between thoughts as opposed to thoughts themselves.
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After a reasonable period of time, end your session in a deliberate, gentle manner.
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Set an alarm to alert you when done if you find that necessary.
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Stretch various parts of your body, remain relaxed, and rise slowly.
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Focus awareness on your surroundings, and carry that calmness forward.
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For best results, the duration of a session should be at least fifteen minutes, as it takes time to relax initially. If you find that don’t have fifteen minutes to spare, then you should really meditate for thirty minutes because you’re in need of its positive effects. However, even five minutes would be helpful if you’re tight on time. If you can’t work it into your life each and every day, then simply include it from time to time; any amount of effort will prove beneficial. In any case, remind yourself that it can reduce stress, improve your concentration, and teach you more about your mind and body. If you find meditation difficult, then consider more active practices that yield similar results. One example would be the practice of yoga to improve flexibility and strength while relaxing your mind. There are various styles and teachers available, depending on whether you’re seeking a gentle class or something more challenging. Other peaceful practices include the Eastern arts of qigong and tai chi. These gentle styles of movement and focus can dramatically enhance the energy within your body and benefit the mind and spirit as well. Such training can be considered active meditation, and the results are well worth the effort.
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