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Meditation--a pathway to the inner self
from: Tracy Norwalk
Gives an overview of meditation and its benefits.
Often times to the inexperienced or unfamiliar, the very idea of meditation can conjure up such visions as a robed master sitting on some remote mountain top, chanting a primordial sound all in order to evoke some deeply altered mental state. To the ever increasing numbers who are finding value in this form of inner communication however, meditation has become a valuable tool to everyday life, in terms of its positive impact on body, mind and soul.
Like many other “alternative” practices such as herbal medicine and acupuncture which are enjoying a big resurgence in interest today, meditation can be traced back thousands of years to the health related and spiritual rituals of both eastern and western civilizations. To understand its true essence, short of actually experiencing some form of meditation, would be to grasp the concept that it involves a quieting of both mind and body in order to better access our own inner voice or intuitive insights.
Although this may seem at first glance to sound a bit remote and far fetched, if we can understand and accept that in each and every moment of our lives we exist as a tri-dimensional being of mind, body and soul regardless of whether we are aware of this or not, then perhaps the idea of tapping into our own intuitive voice does not seem that far fetched to us after all.
Meditation can take many forms, from the most basic of breath meditations in order to gain a moment of peace and relaxation by sitting quietly for a few moments in silence and putting focus on our breathing, to the much more spiritually provoking, where in our stillness we can open up to divine energies and knowledge that can help us heal virtually every facet of our sometimes complex lives. Often times this will involve becoming quiet and listening to a spoken dialogue which can take us on an inner journey, or perhaps going into the silence with a specific question or intent, to see what our own wisdom may be trying to tell us at the time.
It does not take a moment of crisis or deep spiritual dilemma in order to fully access what is deep within, although for most of us, this seems to be when we are most vulnerable and willing to allow our true selves in. Take for example the day to day stresses of job, raising family, financial concerns etc.. and imagine for a moment that there are ways to help offset these concerns by taking a little time each day if possible, to silence ourselves and access the peacefulness and bliss that is there waiting to be tapped into. Imagine also that if we choose to do so, that we can begin a process of understanding how to resolve our areas of concern by beginning to understand why these issues are present in our lives in the first place and where there is room for personal growth. The various means of meditation are just such a path and can be of great value to us.
To begin to experience meditation first hand I would recommend the following exercise when you have a few moments of time to yourself: Go to an area of your home where you can be alone and undisturbed. If you like, play some gentle, melodic music in the background. If candles, incense or use of aromatherapy essential oils are to your liking, make use of them at this time. For the next 10 minutes or so, close your eyes and sit comfortably in a chair, or lie down and begin to focus on your breathing. As you begin to settle down, try to let go of all extraneous thought, without making an extreme effort to struggle to do so. Reflect on the phrase “Peace And Harmony Are Now Within My Total Being”. After you have had time to feel a sense of ease and calm come over you, begin to open your eyes and stretch your body and gently rise and go about the rest of your day. Try to avoid bolting up and rushing immediately into activity. Do this exercise every day for a week, particularly if times are stressful and see if you gradually begin to notice more inner calm and tranquillity in your life.
The range of benefits in making meditation a regular part of your life, are a hundred-fold, be it reduction of stress, better physical and emotional health, or in making deeper spiritual connection. Try it today to see if it can begin to make a difference in your own life.
About the Author
In her diversified career as a holistic practitioner, Tracy Norwalk has conducted corporate stress relief programs, taught classes in Aromatherapy as a certified practitioner, and worked as a Nationally Certified Massage Therapist for state-of-the-art spas in both Pennsylvania and California. She has designed and sold her own all-natural bath and body line, and done freelance newspaper writing on topics pertaining to alternative medicine. In addition, she has studied and works with various forms of energy healing techniques. Web address: www.geocities.com/naturelady42
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