Meditation is a term that refers to Yogic meditation which originated in India. Yogic meditation has since been adapted by many other cultures. There are countless meditative techniques that promote spiritual awareness, self-improvement and relaxation. The positive effects on the mind and body are numerous - for some the deep relaxation brought through meditation is so powerful that a fifteen minute session can be as beneficial as several hours of sleep.

The brain is composed of two regions which control different aspects of the mind. The left side of the brain regulates speech, logic, analytical skills, reasoning and other important mental skills. The right side of the brain regulates creative, artistic type of skills. In the western world we tend to be more left brain orientated. Meditation can help to bring these two regions of the brain into balance, resulting in better emotional stability, self-acceptance and discipline.

When you sleep your brain produces an alpha wave - a type of brain wave which relaxes the body and replenishes physical, mental and emotional energy. Studies have shown that the brain also produces a similar wave pattern when you enter a meditative state, however the effect is greatly intensified.

Now you know a little about the benefits of meditation I’m sure you want to give it a try.  Below is a quick, easy technique that you can practice and learn in the comfort of your own home. All it takes is a little imagination and a few minutes of your time.

The Rainbow Meditation

You can do this meditation technique either sitting, lying down or standing up. Whatever is most comfortable for you.

Begin by inhaling slowly and deeply through your nose and exhale at the same pace though your mouth. Repeat this breathing technique until you begin to feel a wave of relaxation flow through your body. When you have reached this state, gently close your eyes while keeping your breathing slow and steady.

Imagine a small rainbow in front of you, so close that you can reach out and touch it. As your fingertip touches the rainbow your body becomes lighter and lighter, until you feel as light as a feather. The positive energy and beauty of the rainbow becomes one with your body as it disappears. Now your entire body is radiating the wondrous colours of the rainbow.

The colours gradually change until your body is radiating a pure red glow. From your head, all the way down to your toes, feel your body fill up with strength and energy. You are now full of strength and energy.

The red gradually changes until your body is radiating a pure orange glow. From your head, all the way down to your toes, feel your body fill up with happiness and joy. You are now full of happiness and joy.

The orange gradually changes until your body is radiating a pure yellow glow. From your head, all the way down to your toes, feel your body fill up with intelligence. You are now full of intelligence.

The yellow gradually changes until your body is radiating a pure green glow. From your head, all the way down to your toes, feel your body fill up with love and friendship. You are now full of love and friendship.

The green gradually changes until your body is radiating a pure blue glow. From your head, all the way down to your toes, feel your body fill up with peace and tranquillity. You are now full of peace and tranquillity.

The blue gradually changes until your body is radiating a pure indigo glow. From your head, all the way down to your toes, feel your body fill up with kindness and gentleness. You are now full of kindness and gentleness.

The indigo gradually changes until your body is radiating a pure violet glow. From your head, all the way down to your toes, feel your body fill up with beauty and self-respect. You are now full of beauty and self-respect.

Feel yourself becoming a rainbow, full of every colour once more. Your exquisite colours beaming brightly. You are becoming bigger and bigger - so big that you are filling up the entire room. Still you grow bigger, so big that you are covering your entire house, your entire country and finally until you cover the entire world. As you grow larger you are spreading energy, happiness, intelligence, love, peace, kindness and beauty to everyone on Earth.

You continue to grow in every direction so that your colours are shining throughout the entire universe. Your colours and positive qualities shining out and touching every corner of space.

You begin to separate from the rainbow and you are back home. All the amazing colours of the rainbow come together to form a single beam of white pulsing light. The white pulsing light beams down into the crown chakra at the top of your head. Feel the light coursing around your body and enveloping your heart.

You are at one with the universe.