Meditation, which in essence involves developing inner calm by means of an object of concentration like your own breath or a visual or mantra, is a known therapeutic tool to assist those who suffer from chronic pain and discomfort. And many have anecdotal evidence that it actually works! Regular practice develops a more flexible body to seek equilibrium between relaxation and awareness. But how can you learn to meditate properly?
A common question about any spiritual technique is, “what is the best way to learn it?” The answer to this question depends on the intent behind the meditation. While some learners enjoy the challenge of mastering the technique of transcendental meditation (sometimes called mindfulness meditation) to gain greater insight into their own selves and their connection to the universe, other students prefer a hands-on experience that helps them to relax and overcome anxiety without judgment. If you are planning to embark on a journey of self-discovery, you should consider using the techniques of a variety of different meditation techniques.
Breath awareness is a popular technique to cultivate mindfulness meditation. This technique is best done when you are sitting comfortably with your back straight and your chest up. You should fix your gaze onto a spot above your head without looking down and without allowing other vision to distract you. Then, slowly and intentionally breathe from your diaphragm while trying to look upward. You can use the belly as a method of support if you find it difficult to maintain the eye contact with the spot above your head.
Guided meditation is another option for a beginner to learn the art of meditation. In this type of meditation, a professional helps the beginning student to achieve a state of relaxation and calmness by guiding the newcomer through a series of instructions. It is helpful for those who find it difficult to relax and concentrate alone. This is also a suitable technique for people who wish to take some time off from their jobs without being overwhelmed by their daily responsibilities.
Another relaxation meditation technique is progressive muscle relaxation. To perform this technique, the practitioner imagines that a tight band is running down the legs and brings it up toward the waist. This increases the flow of oxygen and blood in the body and relieves stress and muscle tension. The practitioner then repeats the exercise by drawing the band back down the legs and placing it in the abdomen area where it tightens up again. Progressive muscle relaxation is suitable for people who have problems relaxing and are not comfortable with controlled breathing.
Another very effective meditation technique that will help you achieve a state of inner peace is the mantra meditation. A mantra meditation is used to calm the mind and bring about a feeling of peace within you. You can choose an appropriate mantra depending on the purpose of your meditation. Mantra meditation should be performed before performing other relaxation techniques.
Many people have enjoyed the benefits of using the mantra meditation as a way to calm their minds and relieve their stress. When selecting a mantra for mantra meditation, it is important to select one that is meaningful to you. Try to avoid any mantra that has been associated with negative practices such as harming others. Once you have chosen a mantra, you should practice humming it while breathing slowly and deeply so that you establish its presence in your mind. Maintaining focus on the mantra will enable you to calm your mind and bring about a sense of inner peace.
Other relaxation exercises you can perform include deep breathing exercises and progressive relaxation. Deep breathing exercises help you relax both your mind and body through increased breathing capacity and increased intake of oxygen. Progressive relaxation requires you to tense and then relax your muscles so that you can come to a state of calmness. These relaxation exercises allow you to control your body and mind, which will allow you to gain control over stress and improve your overall well-being. This type of meditation is very useful in relieving stress and achieving relaxation.
