Browse Meditation

This book review is part of a series that covers the topic of Meditation . Meditation is the practice of focusing and turning attention inward to the mind. Jeanie Marshall is the Official Guide to Meditation . The Fine Arts of Relaxation, Concentration & Meditation, Revised: Ancient Skills for Modern Minds , by Joel Levey, is a valuable resource for people interested in Relaxation Meditation and it is available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble . n Joel and Michelle Levey h

Just about everything we actively do is on the conscious level. While this is happening on the surface, our body and all its organs are subconsciously being given instructions and messages so that they can function. Not only the body, but the mind is working subconsciously as well, as it filters ...

Conqueror was lying motionless next to the black horse. I saw immediatelty that their injuries would eventually prove fatal, but only after many long days of agony . . . and I could never let that happen. I retrieved the fiance's knife, as the black horse continued to struggle trying to get up ...

It can really get heavy at times. I was recently corresponding with a good friend of mine who mentioned that he didn’t think that he was capable of developing a calm mind in such a chaotic world, which might be a common problem for a lot of us. With stress levels at an all time high, a ...

To most of us, God is an abstract thing, so isn't it curious that we fight over our differences conce ing God? Maybe this is because few actually devote their lives to piercing the abstract and coming face-to-face with God. The reason, perhaps, that few search for God is because when they do, ...

Meditation practices are becoming more popular every year with individuals from all walks of life. Countless numbers of people are finding that meditation can help take away the stress and worry that comes with today's high speed lives. If you are undertaking any form of meditation or yoga it is essential to retain the correct posture. To loosen up your joints and muscles it is recommended to carry out a number of stretching exercises before you begin. For any form of meditat

I walked back to where a John was waiting and told him about the skeleton. He said he was well aware of the tragic situation and then told me the rest of the story. "Soon after the woman died, her body was placed in a sealed box and stored beneath one of the huts to cure, for it would take ...

Mala necklaces and bracelets are increasing in popularity and are used during meditation, or worn as jewelry. They are seen as bracelets, necklaces, and on the altars of meditation devotees and at the top of mats of yoga practitioners. These beautiful necklaces often hold special significance for the bearer based on where they got it, why they chose the stones, and the energy resonance they feel with the beads. Traditionally a mala has 108 beads strung together and one “gur

They knew how to chord a guitar, how to live together, how to relax, and how to live on a shoestring (and off Mom and Dad mostly!) And they didn't know about money or power – that would have been way too square! Hippies were a brief respite on this road of life, one of those strange eras that ...

Hundreds gather from around the country and abroad to the vortexes and natural beauty of Sedona, Arizona, to learn The Exact Science of Manifesting from some of world's leading experts. One of the highlights of this weekend retreat was when leading clinical psychologist and best-selling author ...

Permaculture and Yoga are practices that aspire for harmony both inner harmony and one with the surroundings. It is not a coincidence that both these fields are highly popular in this day and age, as the need for harmony is only growing stronger. Looking at the direction of where things are going worldwide, this interest and thirst will only grow. The need to connect to nature, to touch the earth, the need for fresh air, to know how to breath, to move, to develop and sustain

Question: I rather enjoy reading this Q & A on your site. Thanks for providing it. My question to you is how does one let go of a troubled past? I am a recovering alcoholic and, as you can imagine, there are many events from my past that I wish had not taken place. I was involved with a lot of violence at the bars, promiscuous sex life, got mixed up with drugs for a while, and anything else that comes along with leading that type of lifestyle. In one month, I will complete 5

In my teens (when I was still living in the USSR) I had a neighbor who was blind. He seemed imperturbable, monolithic, settled yet spontaneous and relaxed. I never knew anyone like that until I started reading about Zen masters with their notorious mix of non-threatening confidence and spontaneity. I had a chance to pick his brain a bit. The only thing I remember him saying about "how it is, to be blind" is this: "When you walk, it's very simple: things are either in your way

Have you ever considered the flower? It doesn’t live long, but while it does, it displays itself so beautifully. It doesn’t conce itself with tomorrow, or yesterday; only this one precious moment is important as it unfolds its petals. It positions itself so that it doesn’t crowd the other ...

Do you feel a sense of absolute awe and wonder with your life? Does your life flow effortlessly with synchronicity and abundance? Do you feel you are aligned with your purpose and feel fulfilled, completely happy and at peace? If not, why not? You already know the answers lie within you. You ...

Question: rnI wanted to ask you a question about metaphysical meditation. I think that is what it is but am not sure.rnSince I was a child I have on occasion meditated on the physical universe and all existence within it. Visualizing it's vastness in my mind. I then try to bring my focus to the outside of that universe, to the outside of that physical space. What was there before the universe? And what space is that space since it cannot be the physical universe. If it was no

This group of men had become my family, and leaving them was difficult. I went through the motions of following the schedule for the next few days, but halfheartedly, faced with the reality of striking out on my own again with Conqueror, my solitary companion, and once more following a restless ...

When we focus on incense sticks during meditation, we move into a mystical space that is both physical and spiritual at once. Like us, the incense stick is earthbound with an ember that burns for only a finite time, but the diaphanous spirit it releases is unbound by time or space. Rather than shutting down our senses to focus on an inner realm, incense involves our senses as we follow whirling smoke upward and outward while we take its scent into us, filling us as we breathe

I found the dog lying almost dead near the path. A crossbow arrow, a type not used by the villagers, had silenced him. Somebody was after me, and apparently wanted the bounty all for himself. My instincts told me to slowly back away and move toward the denser part of the forest, but just as I ...

You are what your deep driving desire is. As your desire is, so your will. As your will is, So your deed. As your deed is, so is your destiny. (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad IV.5) Most of us are familiar with the law of attraction. It has been debated around the world and put into practice by many. ...

Meditation is considered to be the most powerful tool not only be the elders but also by the youngsters. The elders as well as the young ones must practice meditation for its various multi benefits. The benefits of meditation can be subdivided into spiritual as well as psychological. As far as the psychological benefits are concerned, it helps in the controlling of high blood pressure. It provides deep relaxation of the body thus leading to physical fitness. It helps in the b

So you would like to meditate. It sounds great doesn’t it – sitting quietly, letting go and straight into meditation. In fact, most people trying meditation for the first time – or even the hundredth time - feel anything but peaceful – the mind starts racing away – ...

This I didn't want to hear. But knowing that it was best to follow a John's advice, I made my way to the cliff and carefully peered over the edge staying as far back as I could. There, one hundred feet below were teeth-like jagged rocks that would impale anyone unfortunate enough to fall from ...

The important thing is to never lose a religious argument, and this article will tell you exactly how to do that - beginning with the first rule: Don't make the usual mistakes! The usual mistakes include circling arguments. You will be challenged on circling arguments every time because they are ...

The first five steps of sainthood spelled out in my previous two articles on the subject are not too difficult to understand. These last five, however, can be challenging, especially to common, non-saintly folks like us who might not have personal, deep discussions with God to fall back on! ...

"Surface happiness comes and goes," A John continued, "no different than breathing in and breathing out. We cannot breathe in always, we must eventually breathe out. The deeper happiness, however, is constant. If we are continuously lost in the surface happiness, and the temporary pleasure it ...

Meditation is a discipline where the mind is focused either on an object or on breathing. It has been described as ‘self regulation of attention, in the service of self-inquiry, in the here and now.”nnThere have been numerous articles in major magazines as well as in medical journals of the positive benefits of meditation from reducing stress to healing the physical body. Meditation has been known in eastern religions for more than 5,000 years as a quest for spirituality.

Learning to meditate is an amazing way to transform your stress and your life! Also, did you know that many of the great success & personal development gurus strongly advocate meditation as a way to help us improve, grow & achieve the life of our dreams?rn The reason is, because regular meditation can be completely transformative in terms of your emotional health & well-being and the best way to reduce stress!rn Regular meditation helps us to step out of our mind and away fro

Sahmad dispatched one of his attendants to summon a physician, while another stayed behind as an interpreter. Sahmad then instructed me to lie down, and he lit two large cones of incense, carefully placing them on my bare chest. He told me to concentrate on the pain that would soon come, as the ...

I was lying on the floor of my little hut in Thailand suffering from one of the many tropical fevers to which I seemed to succumb, and I saw, for the first time in my life, that nothing truly mattered. I found myself directly in the moment. Given the fact that as a Buddhist forest monk I was not ...

Most of us think that affirmations have a definition, meaning everything would come true if we claim it would come true, period. However, that's not how it works. Well, yes, affirmations really have that definition, but it's more than that. Think of it this way: most of us have anxious thoughts like these regularly. In theory, when we honestly believe like this, our confidence, mood, body, and outlook can all suffer. Negative thoughts have the potential to become self-fulfi

At each moment in our daily lives, we have an unprecedented opportunity. Generations before us did not have this blessing of spiritual awareness that is available today. Humanity as a whole is awakening, and we are actively participating in this process even if we are not consciously aware of it.nnOne of the simplest and most profound of spiritual teachings asks us to be in the present moment. This is an ancient teaching, and today has even greater meaning. With the advent of

When the hunter spit in my face, I felt the familiar rush that always preceded my deadly encounters. But this time, for Maradin's sake, I maintained my composure. "Wait a minute my friend," I said, as I put my hand up in a gesture of amity, "you have it all wrong. I only stopped by to help her ...

Meditating in 1997 Thailand Janet and I couldn’t stay at Bhavana as a married couple, so a kind nun at the Bhavana Society referred Janet to a friend of hers; a Buddhist nun living in Thailand, thinking that Janet might be interested in going back to Southeast Asia. When Janet got in touch ...

I began as a normal type article, pretty laid back and entertaining, but then, suddenly. I found myself in hell! Well, I can tell you, hell is no place for a nice article like me, and I certainly did nothing to deserve it (hmm). At any rate, there I was, in the middle of Hades, and it was a . . ...

6 Simple Tips to Incorporate Meditation into your Lifen(Without taking ANY time out of your current schedule)nnWhen most people think of meditation they picture sitting in an uncomfortable position, eyes closed, with no distractions repeating some mantra they can’t even pronounce! nnWith this way of looking at meditation, it’s no wonder that many of us don’t want to meditate. The sad truth is that while most of us are aware that meditation is beneficial, very few of us

We are the world. You and I. How we treat each other; with respect or hatred, how we work things out together and compromise, this will determine the future of humankind. Can you see this? We are the world. Humankind so far hasn't been doing too well. *"huge numbers of Eastern Orthodox ...

He guided me down the narrow, winding stairs into the bowels of the abysmal cave s where rats ran freely and the stone floors were awash with slime. Coughing and moaning oozed from hidden chambers as we made our way through this hell that could only be described as the most horrendous nightmare ...

For five long years, I did fine by myself in the forest, but when I came upo Maradin and her cottage, everything came apart. It was my first real challenge and I wasn't up to it; I could still be easily duped and victimized by the grand illusions of the world. I was so disheartened that I sat ...

There are many reasons for why a gathering of people in a circle is powerful. A circle is a shape that is found repeatedly throughout the natural world, and it is a symbol of perfection. We recreate this perfect shape when we join others to form a circle. Being in a circle allows us experience each other as equals. Each person is the same distance apart from the next participant, and no one is seated higher than or stands apart from others in a circle. From tribal circles to

The meditation jungle Google “Meditation” and you’ll get literally over 24 million hits.rnMany people wanting to learn meditation give up quickly. There is too much to choose from.rnMost of us don’t have the time or energy to spend years learning meditation techniques. On the internet you find everything from Indian guru’s intending to save the world with their meditation technique to hyper expensive meditation programs, CD’s with whale and dolphin sounds, chantin

A John was tireless, and continued with his story, "These forest dwellers made another tremendous breakthrough. They discovered ‘kamma,' the part of us that continues after death. What continues after death is rather complicated so I will go slowly. Whenever you act, this act is remembered by ...

A meditation teacher’s top 12 tips to achieve the most from your meditation practice. Through meditation you can bring about a better understanding of yourself, greater peace of mind and improved power of concentration. The focus you give during your meditation is the important thing. In the silence of meditation you can develop your own divine qualities of inner peace, happiness and joy that are independent of any outer circumstances.

The most tenacious fighter wins. This is true in war, politics, religion, and all aspects of human relationship. The times when we don't have to fight, the times when we can live without fighting, we call peace. However, there are those who say that peace is not sustainable because peace creates ...

"What do you mean, ‘mistaken identity?' Was Maradin lying about who she was?" "In an indirect way, yes, she was lying without knowing it. You see; it was not Maradin that you were in love with; the real object of your affection was something deep inside of her cleverly disguised as Maradin. ...

We made our way through a peaceful countryside where we were always given the utmost courtesy and respect from the villagers. There were many days; however, when we didn't run across any villages and were forced to fast (a John was very strict about not picking and eating fruits and coconuts, or ...

The auspicious night finally arrived, accompanied by a brilliant moon playing in a deep, black sky that was busily spewing out its myriad diamonds. A silvery-white glow suffused the entire forest as we made our way to the meadow under this immense canopy of stars, and only the bubbling of a ...

If you are a normal person, you will serve your family and your country by trying to do what's right. This necessarily involves ambition and goals while you try to solve your problems in life. As you settle into your career, whatever it turns out to be, your government in turn tries to equalize ...

One good way to find God is to lose yourself! Which is easier said than done, because in order to lose yourself, you must first discover what your "self" is! Once that discovery is made, then you can decide which is more important; yourself... or God? Assuming that you decide God is far more ...

Images. . . . What are images? None of our religions asks us to look into images, which would be a shift of consciousness. Instead, our religions reinforce our images. So, what are images, and why do we create them? More importantly, why do we then use images to direct our lives, instead of ...