Learning Meditation – Learn how to Meditate, Benefits of Meditation
Learning Meditation – Learn how to Meditate, Benefits of Meditation
The practice of meditation is an effective way to calm the mind and reduce anxiety. The best way to realize these benefits is to follow a few simple guidelines when practicing meditation.
Where should you meditate?
The environment selection is an important consideration and should be selected with care. The main requirement for a good environment for meditation is that it should be peaceful and free of distractions. Places that cause anxiety and other undesirable feelings should be avoided by beginners. Although it is common for monks who have practiced meditation throughout their lifetime to deliberately seek out such places in order to challenge their mental and spiritual capacity.
The meditative posture is also a key factor. An upright and erect posture while sitting is a good start for beginners. This posture is most conducive to various energy and other circulatory flows with the body.
Different Types of Meditation
There are different varieties of meditation, a classic form is to imagine a black dot on a white surface and concentrate on that. Another method is to gaze at a candle flame or a Buddha statue. Yet another method is called Japa, it involves repeating mantras and counting the beads.
Various tools can be used by beginners to aid their meditative practice. A cushion to support the back is advised if one has trouble sitting erect. For practitioners of japa yoga, a set of mala beads is used to count mantras.
Key points to a successful meditation practice:
- Environment
- Method
- Tools
- Varieties
One should not rely on tools to meditation well, but beginners can make use of meditation aids. Things like music, japa beads, and incense can be effective.
Key technique is vicara, or focus on a single object or point and free the mind from distractions
Japa meditation uses japa beads and a mantra to focus the mind. The mantra can be selected based on the aims the individual is trying to achieve.
For a helpful guided meditation tool, please try Saagara’s Deep Breathing app Pranayama.
Mindfulness - Information on meditation and a healthy consciousness
