| Meditation is a great way to manage and reduce | | | | see what is under the water. Similarly when the mind is |
| stress. It is widely known to have positive effect on | | | | calm and emotions are still, it is possible to achieve a |
| the human body physically, emotionally and | | | | level of self realisation or illumination. |
| psychologically. Meditation produces a state of | | | | Because the mind literally has "a mind of its own", it |
| relaxation that benefits the heart, the brain, the lungs | | | | can be difficult to control the chaotic emotions and |
| and blood. It is even known to reduce the lactate level | | | | thoughts that go on inside. It does actually take some |
| in the blood which is directly related to feelings of | | | | discipline and practice to focus and stop your mind |
| anxiety, tension and fatigue. The emotional and | | | | from wandering from one unrelated thought to another. |
| psychological improvements include an increase in | | | | A common method used to keep your mind focused |
| mental alertness, feeling more alive, healthier, happier, | | | | is by chanting a mantra such as "Om" or "Amen". By |
| and a general sense of well being. | | | | chanting your mantra, you will find that the mind will not |
| There are many types of mediation techniques that | | | | wander so much. In certain traditions the use of a |
| can be employed. The easiest technique is to sit in a | | | | mantra actually carry a deeper meaning, usually a |
| comfortable chair, close your eyes, connect your | | | | single word or expression, or even a complete prayer, |
| tongue to your palette and start abdominal breathing. | | | | which is considered to be of great spiritual significance. |
| With abdominal breathing you expand your abdomen | | | | In time you will find that your mantra will be the trigger |
| slightly when breathing in and contract your abdomen | | | | that puts you into the correct mental state required for |
| slightly when breathing out. | | | | meditation. |
| While breathing, try to achieve single mindedness by | | | | With as a little as 10 minutes of regular meditation |
| emptying your mind or just focusing on one thing only. | | | | every day, it is possible to live a progressively stress |
| There is a common saying in martial arts and yoga | | | | free existence without making dramatic changes to |
| disciplines that if the water is turbulent, it is difficult to | | | | your lifestyle. |
| see what is under it...if the water is calm, one can easily | | | | |