Tag: meditation for beginners

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Mantras for Open mindedness

We want to be inspired, peaceful and creative — while reducing stress in our lives. There is strength in opening our minds to change. Ultimately, this is being open to new ideas, perspectives and information. The challenge is ‘how’ do we attain these goals. One great way is thru meditation and mantras. You may have heard of mantras, but do you understand the difference between a mantra and an affirmation?

Mantra: A Mantra is a ancient tool with hindu and buddhist roots that is used to shift the mind and emotional state. This can be attained through the repetition of sounds.  These sacred sounds and vibrations are repeated again and again to achieve a zen state, removed from your everyday state of focus. A great mantra to start with is Ohm.

Affirmation: An affirmation is a positive statement that you would like to achieve. 

“I am safe” 

“Everyday I attract abundance”

“I sleep easily and wake refreshed” 

Affirmations are a great way to change your mindset when used consistently. 

The key to a mantra is creating a zen state where you can influence your consciousness and mind — which impacts your life outside of meditation. Reach out to an advisor that calls to you for more insights

C) Exercising an open mind with energy healing

Energy healing is a very powerful tool for your mind, body and spirit. Do not get intimidated by this term if you are new to it. You are a powerful and amazing person with many skills, talents and abilities that you have not uncovered yet. Or if you have already jumped into energy healing, you can take it farther and deeper when coming from a more neutral, open mindset. When you approach it with an open heart and a lot of compassion you can learn and grow as a person.

5 Ways to strengthen your energy Healing with an Open Mind

  1. Consciously breathe into your heart space several times, with the intention to open up and expand your energy heart space. Between breaths, pause and listen for any insights or information. This may takes some time, so do not be harsh with yourself. Keep practicing this daily. 
  2. Focus on gratitude from a new perspective. Focus on the love and light in the world, rather than the darker side. Gratitude for your basic needs, and gratitude for you figuring out how to handle the growing and changing world around you. How are you grateful for others, those close to you, and mankind in general? 
  3. Share with others: This can be repurposing items you no longer need, paying for the person behind you in drive thru line, or simply sharing a smile. The flow of giving & receiving really does lighten up the tension in our world. 
  4. Express your creativity in whatever way calls to you. Maybe you remember ways you expressed yourself in the past — or maybe this is something new. Either way, carve out regular time to explore this area, and you will be a much happier you. 
  5. Play and Be Silly. Be like young children and stretch your legs and have some fun. Be downright silly. We are way too serious in our everyday lives and it is time to exercise your silly muscles.You will be very glad that you did!

These techniques will loosen you up to the positive and abundant flow of  energy healing. The energy healing can be for yourself and for others. Remember, with energy healing, we are simply a conduit. The key is to make that powerful connection to the universe, and let the energy flow. 

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How To Meditate

Meditation has been around for thousands of years Originally handed down from generation to generation. The english word, meditation, is based on a latin word meaning ‘to ponder.’ But, you do not need to be a yogi seated in an ashram for hours and hours to benefit. 

Modern meditation is a proven and powerful tool that has many health and life benefits including stress reduction. A basic meditation can be broken down into a few simple steps:

  1. find a desired location 
  2. get comfortable
  3. close your eyes
  4. take deep breaths
  5. quiet your mind and relax

Start with a short time, up to 5 minutes, then work your way up to longer times that fit best for you. Many find meditation upon waking to be helpful. Find the ways meditation helps you the most. 

It is important to be focused and present in the moment. This is not the time to respond to emails or try to get other things done. If distracting thoughts pop up, simply say ‘thank you’ and let them pass like a cloud in the sky.  

Enjoy this process of taking care of yourself. The more you practice meditation, the easier it will be and it will become a beneficial habit of self-care. 

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Why You Should Meditate

The act of meditation is thousands of years old.  It has been associated with religious and philosophical teachings for a good portion of that time.  However, in the last fifty years or so, it has progressively become more mainstream.  That is due in large part to the medical and scientific community beginning to test the results of long-term practices of meditation.

What these studies suggest is that there are psychological, emotional, and physical effects that come from a regular practice of meditation, but even more surprising is how quickly some of these effects begin to occur even after only a few days or weeks of consistent meditation.

One of the most obvious developments that happens from meditation is a reduction in stress levels.  It isn’t only stress from daily situations that are improved, but meditation seems capable of reducing levels of anxiety and depression along with helping to ease some other mental health issue symptoms as well.  People who practice meditation regularly seem to be able to handle higher levels of stress and also be able to remain calm in the middle of extremely high anxiety inducing situations.

Certain studies have shown that meditation can also help some people when overcoming addictions with smoking and also other more intense addictions like drugs and alcohol.

It has been shown to improve memory by organizing information stored in your brain in a more efficient way.  As well as helps to strengthen your ability to concentrate and focus on tasks, which help in all areas of life. 

The impact is not just about how it can help you in the current phase of your life, but also seems to have the ability to improve the future of your life as well.  Studies have indicated that it can help keep the brain elastic during the aging process, as well as, actually helping to reduce the loss of grey matter which occurs as we get older.

It also has been found to increase your empathy and compassion for others through helping you feel more connected to the world at large. Connected to this, studies indicate that meditation can rewire the part of the brain that helps you relate to others which can help with relationships and family dynamics not to mention work place stressors.

It isn’t just mental and emotional ways that meditation has been found to help people.  Because your mind, body and emotions are all connected it has been shown to help people with their physical health as well.  There have been several studies that have shown that it can improve your heart health as well as enhance your resistance to illnesses through increasing your immune system’s ability to protect you.  Research has been done recently that shows that meditation can even help people deal with pain better than some medications.

These have been just a few of the many results recent studies into meditation have found about the ancient practice.  Indications seem to point to there being even more benefits that will be uncovered in the future.

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Meditation for Beginners

Meditation 101

What is meditation? While Merriam-Webster’s definition of meditation mentions reflection, contemplation, and heightened spiritual awareness, there’s so much more to meditation than that. When you meditate, you should gain a healthy sense of perspective and learn to observe yourself, your thoughts, and your feelings without self-doubt or judgment, so you can learn to understand yourself better. With time and attention, you can improve your mindfulness, reduce stress and anxiety, and regulate your sleep patterns.

Meditation Techniques for Beginners

It’s easy to learn to meditate. However, it does take commitment, and many first-timers feel a little daunted by the idea of sitting with their innermost thoughts and feelings. Many practitioners start with the basics, such as chakra meditation. You’ll find that simpler is better, and balancing your chakras is straightforward, thanks to easy-to-follow breathing and chanting techniques.

Consider using a meditation app to help guide your mind. Some of the best meditation apps include Calm, 10% Happier, and Inscape. Specifically, Calm is often mentioned as a top mediation app.

Clearing Your Mind

What do you think about when you meditate? Many novices report that they are concerned about clearing the mind. While this does seem challenging, the goal isn’t to stop thinking. The purpose of meditation is to practice focusing your attention. If your mind wanders, rein it back in and keep at it. With time and attention, you’ll master this technique.

If you’re like most first-time meditators, it may feel strange to sit in silence. Take advantage of these tips so you can get started.