What is Meditation? Can You Benefit from It?

To train in meditation, you first need to understand what a broad and varied topic this is. With multiple practices available, deciding which one (or more) suits you will take a little research - just a little. You can start here to learn how to meditate and then follow your interests.

What is Meditation?
It is a fundamental step in building self-awareness and a more conscious way of being. The common theme is that you sit or do an activity and completely focus on what you are doing, which in most cases will be "nothing".
The idea is to learn how to be totally in the present moment by quieting the ongoing conversations in your head (affectionately known as monkey mind). When you do this, your mental and physical bodies relax and release stress, anxiety and there is a sense of being more than your external busy self.
Based primarily in Asia, its roots go back thousands of years, as a spiritual practice, and later, a religious practice.

NOTE: It is NOT necessary to be spiritual or religious to benefit from meditation!

Compared to what is called "Eastern meditation"; the "Western" version is a relatively new idea (except for a small minority of world travelers and seekers) - hitting mainstream around the 1950-60's (although a very similar ritual called contemplative prayer dates back much earlier).
Both Eastern and Western practices were taught and passed on through principals of respect and honor: elders, shaman, theological scholars, monks, priestesses, priests of many different schools.
And as our knowledge and science has become more sophisticated so has our understanding of the benefits..

The Benefits of Meditation
Why do it? Doctors highly recommend "relaxation techniques and stress reduction" exercises. This is a form of meditation! You will find many modern and contemporary names used in science to get public buy-in. However, the benefits are proven, no matter what you call "that thing you are doing".
Let's start with a popular one-

• Reduce stress and anxiety: awareness of your breathing takes your mind off the situation and calms your heart and brain- gives them a breather (pun intended).
  Physically this reduces harmful pressure build up and hormones that can cause illness, and releases other hormones that calm you and assist in feeling good- like a calmer runner's high.
  Mentally you shift in focus and often that helps you recognize solutions or realize the situation may not be quite that bad, or even just take a little break from it all so you can come back more focused and be able to move forward.
  Big picture - less heart attacks, strokes, ulcers, negative actions and repercussions; more enjoyable living, healthier, well being, awareness, focus and energy.
  
• Physical healing: physical illness can start on a mental or emotional level. Think of these as levels of energy (we are all made of energy) that your body cannot fight for very long. Overall, eventually the cells in your body give up and become diseased.
  
  SIDEBAR: ever get a broken heart? You PHYSICALLY feel it in your chest! Heart emotional energy connected to physical heart - ouch!
  

  By working on more levels than just the physical, you can prevent and/or sometimes assist in healing what is becoming damaged. Learn more in the mind body connection article.
  

• Insight: this is similar to the mental benefit of reducing stress; when you take the time to step away from any situation AND DON'T DISTRACT YOURSELF WITH BUSYNESS!!
  It is possible to find a part of you that may have been ignored, interrupted, or too quiet to be heard. This "you" is often called your inner or higher self. You, but a presence that is wiser, calmer, and has a better perspective of your life. You are your own mentor!
  Meditation allows you time to listen and understand more about a situation, who you really are and what you truly want- like finding your purpose and developing your intuition. Self confidence comes with listening and trusting YOUR SELF.


• Connectedness: in meditation, there is a place called "center". This is a point literally inside your body and figuratively where some would say your inner self, spark, light, heart/mind rest. It is where you sit inside yourself during practice where there can be a sense of being connected to the universe.
  This will be defined by you-based on your beliefs, practice, and spirituality. Sitting in your quietest state of being is when you can feel the least alone.

At this point, lets touch on the common theme: dissolving, quieting, calming or releasing-the Ego- what is the Ego? Remember Psych 101?
In short, Ego was defined as your external world personality (along with the ID, your pleasure seeking child, and the super-ego, your strict, culturally based fear and guilt authority). Here, the term "the Ego" is used to encompass all three aspects used in your survival in an externally formed world. The Ego can also be called the second mind, the Gremlin, the outer self, the shadow self.
Understand that:

1. it has helped you survive up to this point so it is not an awful thing.
2. it is based in fear-all actions, thoughts, come from fear to survive and to get instant gratification, and most importantly now -
3. to prevent any change! It would rather be miserable, depressed, isolated, existing in the same, comfortable state than experience change-especially change for the better since that moves you away from fear and closer to your higher self.

So, the Ego is THAT voice that when you are quiet says why bother, wants to plan a party, gets hungry, brings up work, anything to distract you from your training or any practice for change, for that matter!

Having said all that (whew!) use this tool to quiet your Ego voice and expand your sense of self awareness, confidence, connectedness and well-being. It takes practice, you will start with small steps and go from there- but first,

Next - it may be helpful to have a gentle sounding meditation timer to help you stay focused on your meditation and not the time. There are all kinds of accessories to enhance your comfort - your choice, none are necessary.
Recommendations are listed in the articles of certain styles.

PRECAUTIONS:

1. Your goal is to sit and continuously return to center-not to shut up the Ego! The more you try and fight the noise, the more persistent it gets- just acknowledge it and shift the focus back to quiet center.
2. Always center first (see 1st practice below) before moving into visualization. Its a great way to start and finish a Western style practice. It is the whole process in an Eastern practice.
3. NO driving, using heavy machinery, or using sharp objects.
4. If you have been diagnosed or have tendencies of schizophrenia, please consult your doctor and do not do the meditations given on this site.
5. POST PRACTICE- Afterwards, walk around, drink some water, take a few moments to let your session set in before running back to your busy life :).

Take your first steps to creating a better life with devaliving-training.

***IMPORTANT! In meditation, intuition, higher self contact, there will NEVER be messages telling you to harm yourself or others - if you believe you are receiving this kind of information, please contact your doctor immediately! There can be a medical cause for this symptom. Stop all meditation etc. until you have your doctor's approval.***

Here are some additional resources for your meditation practice:
Meditation for dummies-Meditation For Dummies (Book and CD edition)

Calming background music for meditation:
Deuter: sea & silence-Sea & Silence
Lifescape: yoga(also good for meditation)-Lifescapes Yoga  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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