May is National Mediation Month– Therefore, during the month of May higher emphasis is placed upon the practice of meditation around the world. This is especially true in Western cultures, where daily stress seems to be the norm and multi-tasking is the customary approach for most people.
Inner peace is the goal for all meditation and can be experienced in a number of enlightening ways. The practice of meditation is meant to bring you back to the true self, such that, you experience the higher realms of your inner being with conscious clarity.
Meditation is not some-thing you do…it is the experience of Being that which you are!
- Terry Swejkoski
If you search the Internet you will find a variety of meditation techniques including, basic, group, activity, focused and spiritual to name a few. The key is to place yourself in an environment that enhances inner peace and allows you to move into a higher state of consciousness without distracting from your ultimate purpose for meditation.
When you meditate you bring out the best of you…the part of your deeper understanding within the Universe. Although, there are many techniques, there is no right or wrong way to meditate. You should endeavor to do what is most comfortable and peaceful for you personally.
One popular pose often practiced in meditation is the lotus or half lotus, where you sit with legs crossed and your feet are placed over the thighs. In the half lotus position only one foot is crossed over the thigh, while the other is placed comfortably on the floor. The back is straight, hands resting on the knees, palms up and the thumb and first finger tips touching. The main intention of the lotus posture is to maximize the Kundalini energy flow through the chakra energy system.
Meditation is an excellent practice for reducing stress brought on by allowing life situation occurrences to influence your peace of mind. Manifesting stress in the body is typically a fight or flight process of dealing with life, which will eventually cause the body to breakdown in some manner, rather than acceptance of what is and moving through life with a balanced life plan in harmony with the Universe. Meditation affects the body exactly the opposite of stress.
During meditation the body is relaxed, the mind is silent and the body manifests a natural state of healing. Meditation is also an excellent practice for eliminating headaches and anxiety brought on by the stories we tell ourselves. When meditating the breath and heart rate slows down, this in turn lowers the blood pressure and returns the body to its natural state of calm.
Energy is free flowing; therefore, physical position during meditation is not as important as some would have you believe. If you need to lie down to meditate that's fine, however, be forewarned this increases the possibility of falling asleep. The main purpose of meditation is to enhance peace by quieting the mind while allowing energy to flow through the body unrestricted by the challenges of life. When the body is peaceful the immune system operates at peak efficiency and life perception changes considerably.