A person learns to focus attention in meditation. Some forms of meditation teach to be keenly aware of thoughts and feelings without making judgments. The purpose is to bring calmness and relaxation and change how a person responds to their own emotions.
Most types of mediation have 4 criteria in common:
- A quiet location with few distractions.
- A specific but comfortable posture.
- A focus of attention whether it's a spot on the wall, repeating a mantra, or focusing on breathing.
- An open attitude which means letting distractions go and not making judgments about them.
These are some of the types of meditations:
Guided meditation or visualization. The concept here is to form mental images of places or events that you find relaxing.
Mantra mediation in which you silently repeat a calming word or thought. TM or transcendental meditation practices this approach.
Mindful meditation in which your goal is to have an increased awareness of the present such as focusing on your breath. You observe your thoughts and emotions but let them pass without judgment.
Qi gong. Part of traditional Chinese medicine, this approach combines meditation, relaxation and breathing exercise to maintain balance.
Tai chi. In this form of gentle Chinese martial arts you perform a self-paced series of postures in a slow manner while practicing deep breathing.
Yoga. One of the more popular forms of meditation, the different postures and approaches require concentration and balance.
All you need to start meditating is a few moments without interruption. You can attend special meditation centers or you can easily practice on your own. You can make the time as informal or formal as you want depending on your lifestyle. For instance, some people have a fixed time to meditate in their daily routine while others end each day with meditation. Still others find a few minutes somewhere in their day to meditate and that may be all you really need.
Do you practice any of these meditations? How well did they work for you? Please share your thoughts with our readers.
To your successful balanced life
Ruthan Brodsky
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