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Nowadays it seems that even the mainstream magazines are discussing the numerous benefits of meditation. What was once an activity reserved for the eclectic in our culture has now taken a strong foothold in the fabric of Western society.
But there are still many of us who would scratch our heads if asked to explain meditation. What is it exactly? To meditate means to focus your thoughts on something with the purpose of quieting the incessant chatter of the mind. If done properly, your brainwaves reach a level of consciousness called alpha state, and it is in this state that your mind and body begin to heal.
The healing benefits of meditation are threefold – physical, psychological, and spiritual. The meditation benefits touted the most in our culture are the physiological benefits that can be tested and proven. For example, due to a steady increase in coronary disease over the last few decades, many individuals are turning to meditation as a way of improving their heart health. The effects of meditation when practiced regularly include reduced blood pressure and cholesterol, which means an overall decrease in your heart’s workload. Less work for your heart means it will be pumping for many years to come.
Other meditation effects on the body include a decrease in chronic pain and stress and better breathing due to improved lung and heart efficiency. Some studies also suggest that meditation may help those with sleep disorders or even those who suffer from autoimmune diseases such as fibromyalgia.
Other benefits of meditation are those which take place in the mind, and sometimes these are equally as important as the physical benefits. Psychological benefits of meditation include improved creativity, learning ability, and memory. And, let’s face it – who doesn’t need a little help with their memory? Studies also show an increase in overall happiness and emotional stability, while feelings of depression, anxiety and irritability tend to decrease.
In addition to the physical and psychological effects of meditation, we cannot discount the deep spiritual implications of this ancient art. For centuries enlightened cultures have sought the spiritual benefits of meditation and have discovered its awesome ability to momentarily separate us from our material needs and desires and put us in contact with something greater. We can use meditation to open up our minds to receive deeper wisdom, which helps to lead us down the path of self-improvement or even self-enlightenment.
The best part is that we don’t have to be a shaman, or Gandhi, or attend a Buddhist temple to reap these spiritual meditation benefits. In fact, there exists a number of ways in which people like you and I can partake in the physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits of meditation.
Mindfulness, transcendental, and breathing meditation are just a sampling of the types of meditation you can use to bring your mind into a relaxed state of healing. In mindfulness meditation we allow thoughts and feelings to enter our mind, but we do not judge them. We practice living fully in the present moment. With transcendental meditation, we use a mantra, which we repeat in order to quiet our thoughts.
Breathing meditation harnesses the rhythmic power of our own breath. Feel inspired to investigate other types. As long as the form of meditation benefits the body, mind, and soul, it is useful.
Feel overwhelmed by your choices? You can also purchase meditation tapes in order to experience the positive effects of meditation. Let an expert guide you through the process. Or, look for local churches or meditation centers that offer classes. Whatever form of meditation you choose, remember you must practice it regularly in order to experience the incredible benefits of meditation.
http://www.meditationandmore.com
Jamie Lynn has dedicated herself to teaching others the Power of Meditation and other alternative health/healing tips and techiques for the mind, body and spirit!
http://www.meditationandmore.com
Meditation chairs can enhance the experience of exploration by allowing you to sit in a comfortable and relaxed position during your relaxation session. If you have back problems or limited flexibility, the chair offers a comfortable alternative to sitting on the floor.
For those just beginning the practice of meditation, a sitting device can be an effective way of enhancing focus and concentration. There are different types of chairs available including meditation benches, ergonomically designed tilt chairs and inflatable cushions.
A meditation bench allows you to sit in alignment without putting undue pressure on your back. A tilt chair also supports your back while allowing you to remain in the optimum upright position. Many companies providing meditation supplies also manufacture portable meditation chairs, inflatable cushions and folding benches, so that you can meditate in any setting or environment. A portable chair is an excellent investment if you are continuously on the go.
Meditation chairs have several advantages over sitting on the floor or a regular chair. Meditation requires harmony of body and mind, in the sense that physical discomfort should not interfere with the meditation experience. To expand our consciousness and achieve clarity of mind, it is important to be as comfortable as possible during the meditation session. Sitting in any one position for a length of time is bound to cause cramping and distress. Specially designed chairs can provide the proper support and alignment necessary to allow you to get the most out of your meditation experience. It is important to note that regular chairs do not mold to the body in the same way as an ergonomically designed meditation device.
The best chairs have a slight forward angle, which prevents you from slumping during meditation. However, take care that the chair is not too steeply angled, as this will cause overarching. The ideal tilt should be no more than a few inches. The best option is to purchase a meditation chair that you can adjust according to your height, weight and comfort level. Having an experienced person on hand to guide you through the meditation process and adjust your posture is also a good idea.
A sitting device may be particularly useful if you are practicing Zen meditation, which requires several sitting postures. Zen meditation chairs can be made out of numerous materials and come in several different styles. You can choose the style that best suits you as long as the device enables your diaphragm to contract and expand freely.
Meditation is all about discovery and inner peace. Contrary to popular belief, self denial and physical discomfort detracts rather than enhances the experience. It is difficult to expand our minds and awareness when our legs are cramping beneath us. A meditation chair is a device which allows us to focus on what’s really important during our meditation session. With the proper tools and surroundings, the meditation experience is sure to be a positive one.
http://www.meditationandmore.com
Jamie Lynn has dedicated herself to teaching others the Power of Meditation and other alternative health/healing tips and techiques for the mind, body and spirit! http://www.meditationandmore.com
Yesterday I did a work out that included meditation, Tai-Chi, and Chi-Kung. Today I did one that included Meditation, Jun Bao, and another form of Chi-Kung. Although it may not seem like it to some people, I consider this working in order to make the world a better place. I will go even further and say that when you do these things, if you do them sincerely and regularly, you are working to make the world a better place. I have written on this subject in a previous article, but I think that we, somehow, forget how important self care is. Those who are service providers and helpers for others, often neglect themselves, thinking that dedicating their time to others is more important. This is not the case. When you take care of yourself, you are taking care of others. How can this be? You may ask.
Through self care such as doing meditation and exercise on a regular basis you calm yourself. You make your mind, body, and spirit stronger. You relieve stress from your body and you foster a lifestyle that is proactive, instead of reactive. In other words, you take charge of your responses to negativity and positivity in the world, instead of just running on automatic. If you go on to do the deep work, the hard work, you begin to realize who you are on the inside. When you realize who you are, you become free. You cannot realize who you are, however, until you engage in the very difficult work. Pema Chodran explained this as Boddichita work, the work of the warrior, or Going where we don’t really want to go.
Meditation is not always an escape from an oppressive world, nor is it necessarily only to reduce stress, or the improve health, though these are very important results from it, meditation is also daring to look at the ugliness in ones soul. It is observing the anger, the hatred, the fear, all the prejudices implanted in our minds during the socialization project. After looking at them without judgment, it is also about releasing them, thus nullifying their power.
If you do meditate and want to take it to the next step, I would suggest you do a practice somewhat like the Zen students do. In this case it is to think about some of your fears and prejudices before meditating, formulating a question about their origins, or their authenticity, and then meditating. You will be surprised at the insights that arise. When they arise let them go and speak of them no more, realizing they don’t exist. They are only shadows of the past with only the power that we give them.
Today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Kalidassa
As you begin to claim your true identity, the illusion of the false self, the identity created through socialization, begins to fade. You become the greater you, the more authentic you. You begin to live each day in response to how the world is and more importantly in response to who and what you really are. This is greater then freedom. This is freedom and responsibility. As you live with freedom and responsibility you partake of the tree of life, as the fruit you bear as a human and divine being, brings forth life and regeneration.
Reunion of Souls, Dr. John W.Gilmore. A book of deep spirituality in Sci-fi form.
Dr. John Gilmore is a Writer, Spiritual Director, and Healer. In order to see more articles like this one search through the rest of these ezine articles, or explore our Practical Spirituality Journal at http://www.dswellness.com To take our free course, Stress Reduction 101, or to take part in our weekly Universal Circle of Creation Spirituality Cyber Service, visit: http://dswellness.htap.net The service is open to the public.
What is Allergy
An Allergy is a hypersensitive response of the body to certain substances, called allergens. These allergens can be of plant origin such as pollens, animal origin such as dander (scales shed from the skin, hair, or fur of animals), and insect origin such as the stings of bees and wasps, or the dust mites themselves. House dust, smog, smoke, and some strong odors may trigger allergies. Drugs like penicillins and cephalosporins evoke allergic reactions in sensitive patients. Food allergies are also extremely common and vary individualistically from animal sources like eggs, milk, and sea food to plant sources such as eggplant, drumstick, and wheat. Allergens can be inhaled, eaten, injected, or contacted by the skin.
Signs and symptoms of Allergies
The body's defense mechanism is considering simple and otherwise harmless substances to be potentially dangerous and is preparing for battle by producing a particular type of antibody called IgE in large amounts but in a way that on exposure to an allergen for the first time, only its memory remains. However, on subsequent exposure, an allergic response is manifested in the form of signs and symptoms depending on the tissue, organ, or system involved. All these are due to the release of a chemical substance called Histamine by some body cells under the influence of IgE, thus inducing congestion, excessive secretion, and muscle spasms. The most common examples are those of Asthma (a respiratory allergy with wheezing and breathlessness) and Eczema(a skin allergy with eruptions, itching, oozing, etc.)
Causes of Allergies
Although modern medicine claims that allergies and most of the other chronic diseases have a hereditary predisposition to blame, homeopaths and naturopaths all over the world believe that every disease is multi-factorial in origin. Health according to them is a dynamic state of physical, mental, and spiritual equilibrium where a homeostasis is maintained in spite of a continuous influx and interaction of the opposing or negative energies with the life perpetuating ones through harmoniously orchestrated processes that are so subtle that they can hardly be perceived. In simple words, other than one's genes, the lifestyle, diet and regimen, psychological state of a person, and degree of exposure to toxins or irritants, together contribute to giving rise to an allergic personality. Thus logically speaking, it is the immunity at fault and not the allergen. In fact, observations show that in most cases, once an allergic disposition is acquired, the body gradually begins to react hypersensitivity to more and more substances so as to only add to the medical list of allergens. Hence, it can be easily surmised that the remedial measures must be capable of bringing the deranged immunity back to normal rather than expecting and advising the allergic patients to give up or stay away from all the probable allergens.
Auxiliary treatment of Allergies
It has been known for long that natural foods and natural living always pays off good dividends probably because Mother Nature completely shoulders our responsibility, but if it's the artificial that you cherish, then Mother Nature will see that you perish. One doesn't really need to browse through research documents to fathom the truth in this statement. All that one needs to do is to go into retrospect and compare his or her life with that of his or her grand parents. It's not that there were no illnesses then; however, those illnesses were genuinely caused by miasma such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These days, the number of allergic and auto-immune disorders has gone up to such an extent that they beat all the natural causes.
Following is a list of probable underlying causes that set the background for the development of an allergy.
* Regular exposure to pollutants in air, food, water, etc.
* Sedentary lifestyle which leads to impaired blood circulation and poor oxygenation of the tissues.
* Lack of sleep.
* Injudicious administration of vaccines and allopathic medicines which are after all foreign proteins and chemicals which have the capacity to alter the immunity.
* Frequent negative or overpowering mental states such as depression, anxiety, grief, fear, anger, irritability, despair, jealousy, etc.
* Improper external as well as internal hygiene inclusive of proper bowel/bladder/sexual habits and avoidance of substance abuse in the form of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.
This artical is a part of Biogetica.com a health portal.
I stood first in the Mumbai University Homeopathic degree examinations. The oldest Homeopathic pharmacies in India chose me as one of their main consultants at a young age. I had done plenty to further the cause of homeopathy and vibrational medicines. I am familiar with iridology, classical homeopathy, magneto therapy, naturopathy, yoga, meditation, urine therapy, bio chemical salts, Bach flower remedies, and mana force spiritual healing. I am Medical Director of Biogetica.com.
For centuries meditation has provided the pathway to enlightenment for many of the most advanced souls ever to visit this earth plane. Meditation may take many forms not everyone will wish, or be able, to sit in the lotus position chanting a mantra for hours on end. However, it should not be beyond any of us to devote a few minutes each day to simply block out external distractions and to focus our attention inwardly.
What is Meditation?
There are many forms of meditation but all share the goal of promoting an altered state of consciousness in which our attention is temporarily removed from the external world. Meditation is associated with relaxation, and meditation usually begins with a period of relaxation. However, meditation goes further than mere relaxation, it requires some kind of conscious and active mind control.
Why Meditate
Many of us try to take care of our physical bodies by eating healthily and taking regular exercise. But we often fail to pay the same attention to that (at least) equally important part of ourselves, ie our inner, or mental, world.
Perhaps we feel stressed, or mentally washed out, but feel the demands of daily life leave little or no time for introspection.
Mental distress can easily cause physical illness. But the much-neglected inner world can become a powerful ally if shown just a little tender loving care. We've all heard the expressions "healthy mind, healthy body" and "mind over matter". Meditation can help promote these.
Meditation creates a private space or time in which we can step back from the physical realm and re-connect with our true, inner self.
In addition to promoting inner peace meditation can also unlock the door to our subconscious, the seat of our intuition and source of much creativity and inspiration. By temporarily distancing ourselves from the constant distractions of daily life we allow ourselves to become more aware of our Spiritual essence. This awareness, if we wish to make it so, is the seed of psychic ability and mediumship.
Meditation Techniques
There are numerous meditation techniques and books on how to meditate. It is worth familiarizing yourself with the techniques introduced here and those described in the literature. However, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for all. Try several techniques until you find one which feels comfortable and beneficial.
The first requirement for a successful meditation regime is self-discipline. It can often seem we are too busy to spare even a few moments a day in meditation, and even when the demands of the physical realm die down we would rather just flop in front of the TV screen than make the conscious effort required. Keep it regular. Just 5 minutes a day, every day, is better than forced meditations of 30 minutes once or twice a week.
Try to avoid any disturbances, which can cause quite a shock to our system once in the meditative state. Disconnect the phone and politely ask your family members to respect your "quiet time".
You may, if you wish, like to play some gentle background music - classical or new age music is excellent for this purpose. Instrumentals work better than songs with words as you may find it hard not to focus on the lyrics.
Books invariably recommend a particular posture for effective meditation. Aim to make yourself comfortable enough to relax, but not so comfortable you will drift into sleep - a common response to the removal of the external stimuli to which we are so accustomed.
The mind often feels like a contrary child, determined to wreck all efforts designed to help it.
If you find that you keep falling asleep while trying to meditate this might indicate you need more sleep at night, or would even benefit from a nap during the day. Most of us probably would benefit from a mid-day nap but are prevented from taking one by convention. Sleep is a great healer and always beneficial, but sleep is not meditation. In meditation the mind is under the control of our conscious will.
The techniques described here are for very mild meditation; meditation for beginners or busy people, if you like.
Begin by breathing deeply. In through nose and out through the mouth. Do this for 10, 20, or 50 times. Try to concentrate on your breathing.
And/or try to relax the body. Focus on each part of the body in turn allowing it to relax. It might help if you move or tighten that part of the body before releasing it into relaxation. Focus on the toes, feet, lower legs, upper legs, hips, abdomen, chest, shoulders, upper arms, lower arms, hands, fingers, back up to the neck and head. If it helps, take it back down again, from the head to the toes.
And/or silently say a prayer to yourself. Not only does this focus the mind inwards but it also reaffirms and gives expression to inner feelings, intentions and desires as well as bringing you closer to your own deity.
You may try the Lord's Prayer, familiar to Christians, or create something more personal to yourself.
For the meditation itself try one or more of the techniques below.
You might repeat a mantra (a word or phrase that is meaningful to you) over and over, or just count - eg to 100, 500, 1000 or whatever. If counting is too automatic, try counting backwards, or in multiples, eg of 7, 9, 11... Try to keep your attention on numbers and don't let mind wander off.
But if your mind does wander off, it's OK. When you notice it, just bring it back.
You might find part of your mind wandering off while another part continues repeating the mantra or counting.
Slightly more difficult is to fix your mind on one thing, perhaps a color or an image, (eg a candle burning).
Try to visualize a place - somewhere you know, maybe the very room you're sitting in, or somewhere you know or used to know.
Try to see it in as much detail as possible. Experience the sights, the sounds, the smells, the feel of it.
Or try to visualize a desired outcome, eg see yourself opening and reading a letter saying you got a job you would like, then see yourself successfully doing that job.
Visualize a journey. You can use our meditations - The beach or The forest - or create your own.
You can describe your journey on tape - at least to begin with - but these meditations work better if you can memorize, or internalize, them so they can become part of you. They can then be modified and improvised, and develop as you do.
If you would like to develop your psychic powers, devote part of your meditation to visualizing something that you can't know at the time, eg it could be tomorrow's lottery numbers, or where a friends or loved one is and what they are doing at the time of your meditation etc etc. Compare your visualization with reality.
Johnny Finnis is the editor of new age spirituality - exploring the idea that this life, this world, is not the totality of our existence. In fact, it might be just one small part of something much bigger, just one tiny step along an infinite journey...
Boost Immune System - It comes as beta carotene which can be eliminated from your body through natural processes.
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Meditation Supply Items - If you are not comfortable in the traditional crossed legged or Lotus positions, you might benefit from one of the following meditation supply items.
Deep Meditation - The key to meditating in a noisy environment is to change the way you think about noise.
Preksha Meditation - Kayotsarga has two implications--complete relaxation of the body and self-awareness.
Colour Meditation Scripts - During the pratyahara you will play the role of a neutral observer of your thoughts, with the ultimate aim of achieving a state of consciousness without any thoughts.
Martial Arts Seminars - Desk dining can be the epitome of mindlessness—or a remarkable opportunity to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy a delicious moment or two.
Bio-Etheric Energy - These people were of any race, sex, age, job, and with different personal political or religious belief.
Therapeutic Essential Oils - The research showed that Baroque Music played at 60 beats per minute produced an optimum amount of alpha waves, better known as Calmness Waves that help you gain a sense of calm and to relax.
Mindfulness Meditation - As a psychic, medium and qualified holistic healer, I often give guidance to those seeking a way of clearing stress and ‘back luck’ philosophies out of their lives.
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