Learning To Meditate

We sit, we (attempt) to get a bit more quiet, we let what comes arise, and let it fall away. We breathe. We are. We are fine. We are in the perfect place at the perfect time, feeling what we are feeling.

Jan describes beautifully her meditation today and it helps you understand that it is o.k if your mind is busy with thoughts.That is how it will be in the beginning and focusing on your breath , labeling your thoughts and letting them go will make you calmer.You feel amazingly calm, aware, and grateful after the 20minute meditation.

I did my meditation in the evening today.It was similar to what Jan describes but I did for only 10 minutes.The mind was definitely calmer.

BE HERE NOW by semas87

Today's inspiration is an article on Mindfulness and Concentration

Mindfulness and Concentration are partners in the job of meditation. They each have their role to play in meditation, and the relationship between them is definite and delicate.

Concentration is often called one-pointedness of mind. It consists of forcing the mind to remain on one static point.Mindfulness, on the other hand, is a delicate function leading to refined sensibilities.

Mindfulness notices things. Concentration provides the power.

Mindfulness picks the objects of attention, and notices when the attention has gone astray. Concentration does the actual work of holding the attention steady on that chosen object.

If either of these partners is weak, your meditation goes astray.

These are a few points I noted .You can read the complete article at tricycle.com

The breath, no matter what spiritual tradition you embrace, is the centerpoint of most contemplative practices, especially meditation.

The breath is sacred. It is not simply an influx of oxygen. It is a divine connection to your own spirit and the greater Spirit-or God.

The Hebrew word for "spirit" is ruach, and ruach can also mean "breath" or "wind." In other languages, as well, the word for spirit is also the word for breath. In Latin, spiritus. In Sanskrit, pragna. In Greek, pneuma.

Breathing in, feel the sacred source of this breath and how it keeps you alive day-to-day. Breathing out, feel how you spread this gift out into the world.

Jan describes the divine awareness of breathing in - breathing out technique.She shares her morning meditation of breathing in inner peace ,one breath at a time.

I did my Pranayama before my meditation in the evening to concentrate on my divine breath.

SEIZE THE DAY by semas87

Today's inspiration is about doing your meditation anywhere...Sitting Anywhere

When you need to slow down and come back to yourself, you do not need to rush home to your meditation cushion or to a meditation center in order to practice conscious breathing Wherever you are, you can breathe mindfully. We all need to go back to ourselves from time to time, in order to be able to confront the difficulties of life ...
from Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life by ~Thich Nhat Hanh~{ This book could be a bible for mindfulness}.

Our minds are filled with thousands of thoughts and it is up to us to create a new relationship with our thoughts; to become pro-active and determine how much we are willing to be run by them.

Jan describes the importance of focusing and concentration to help you meditate and control our thoughts.To help us focus, we can use
a mantra,
a candle,
a beautiful flower,
an image,
an element in nature,
a scripture,
a rosary,
-anything that we can hold on to,
literally, or with our imagination.

Begin by centering yourself, breathing in and breathing out, deeply and evenly. Focus on the word or object. When thoughts arise, simply return your attention to the word or object. Breathe.Focusing is a practice that takes practice and when you continue in this process you will soon be filled with a calmness that is beautiful and peaceful.

Jan's meditation today was a guided meditation,Guided meditation helps you through sound and music to a wonderful relaxation.
I did my pranayama and eye exercises before my meditation.

Jan shares with us today a meditation method to help us focus and experience inner calm, clarity, stillness.This method is called Lectio Divina.

Lectio Divina is rooted in the Christian tradition and is translated as "divine reading." It is a way of reading and meditating (praying) upon scripture (spiritual writings). It allows one to sink more deeply into silence and experience "communion with the Divine."You read a passage and let it sink into your spirit ,then repeat it 3 times to sink further each time into stillness and invite the sacred wisdom to come through...Lectio Divina can be done with any form of devotional literature to experience stillness and inner peace.

Jan's meditation for today was guided meditation and mala meditation.
Guided meditation is listening to words and music leading you to a meditative space.
Mala meditation is done by "praying" on each bead, naming and blessing a dear loved one in your life-one bead, one name.

DO YOUR BEST by semas87

Today's inspiration is about Studying and learning.

Studying and learning can be likened to obtaining good medicine for one's illness from a great doctor. Meditation can be likened to consuming the medicine in order to transform the illness. If the medicine is not taken into our system, then no matter how wonderful it is, it will not cure the illness. Likewise, a spiritual practitioner must ultimately engage in a daily meditation practice in order to embody the spiritual essence learned from his or her master. To meditate means to get into the daily habit of practicing universal love and compassion, wisdom, single-pointed awareness, and other spiritual values. As a result of this constant spiritual familiarization, the individual will become more peaceful, loving, compassionate, and wise over time.
~ Nawang Khechog , Musician and Spiritual Guide

Jan describes how the Meditation Police jolted her from her sleep last night and the lessons learnt from the experience.
Nothing is a should do and meditation is not a one size fits all.We each must find our own style and rhythm.You are good enough by yourself.
Change the scenary when you are troubled and come back to the present moment.

Awake is good ... no matter what.
And always, always, have compassion for yourself.

Jan's shares her Meditation Experience for today -I am having a lovely, meditative morning. One of my favorite candles is aglow. The sounds of "Native Healing" fill the living room.

3 word quote-Yes You Can Magnet by semas87

You Can Do It

Walking meditation is practicing meditation while walking. It can bring you joy and peace while you practice it. Take short steps in complete relaxation; go slowly with a smile on your lips, with your heart open to an experience of peace. You can feel truly at ease with yourself. Your steps can be those of the healthiest, most secure person on earth. All sorrows and worries can drop away while you are walking. To have peace of mind, to attain self-liberation, learn to walk in this way. It is not difficult. You can do it. Anyone can do it who has some degree of mindfulness and a true intention to be happy.

Read the full article by Thich Nhat Hanh here.

Today, Mari Gayarti Stein , an exceptionally gifted author, artist, and meditation and yoga teacher from Oregon gives the best piece of advice for beginning meditators.

~Get regular. Set a time and keep to it on a daily basis.
~Get instruction from a teacher -- object of focus and specific
techniques, simple is good.
~Get group support if available.
~Use a tape/CD if necessary part of the time for support.

Jan's guidance for the new who are just starting to meditate and are doubtful of how much is enough...
When you are filled with doubt if what you are doing is really enough discipline will tell you if what you are doing is enough ...
Discipline, framed correctly builds fortitude, inner strength, and determination. It builds skills that carry us through difficult times. It creates a practice that we an always depend on, no matter what is happening around us, which means-we can depend on ourselves and our inner reserves, our inner wisdom, to get through life.

BE THE CHANGE by semas87

Today's inspiration is we are not alone.

Diana Lang guides us to understand that When we meditate we discover that we are not alone. We find our deep connection to the whole of life, and we come to know that we are all one. We are loved. We are good. We are forgiven.

Jan shares in today's post an article "Meditation Within ALL the World's Religions." by Lisa Erickson creator of the blog Mommy Mystic,who is a meditation teacher as well as the Buddhism Editor at Bella Online.

Lisa talks about meditation practices of different faiths and cultures in the blogpost.

For example, "In Hinduism, meditation is considered part of yoga practice...

In Kabbalah, often called Jewish mysticism, a form of meditation called 'hitbonenut', which involves contemplating a concept or light itself ...

The Sufis within Islam incorporate both energy center and devotional meditation to merge with the 'beloved divine' responsible for life itself ..."

You can read this excellent article on the spiritual practices at Mommy Mystic .

Though there are different faiths and different spiritual practices it is humbling to accept that All are One, each expressing the Divine in her or his unique way.

Jan regularly writes a Meditation Monday post and this is one of her favorites.- Metta-Lovingkindness practice .Metta involves sending lovingkindness to a series of individuals-our self, benefactors, loved ones, neutral others, and difficult others, then to all beings everywhere-in that order. We do Metta in steps so our hearts gradually open if they are closed or are blocked in some way. Done in stages, this practice opens us; softens and gentles us ... And by the time we get to the end of the prayer*, our heart is as wide as the world.

Buddha Motivating messages mousepad by semas87