What it generally considered important in meditation is that one is regular with the meditation -every day- and that makes a reasonable effort, but not strain, to remain with the object of concentration during the practice? With regular practice, one inevitably gains an increased understanding of and proficiency with the particular meditation technique. Some people use formal concentrative meditation as a preliminary step to practice mindfulness meditation during the day where one tries to maintain a calm but increased awareness of one’s thoughts and actions during the day. For some people, meditation is primarily a spiritual practice, and sometimes, the meditation practice may be closely tied to the practice of a religion such as, for example, Hinduism or Buddhism.
2.How is meditation different from relaxation, thinking, concentration or self-hypnosis?
Relaxation: Relaxation is a common by-product of meditation. Relaxation itself can assume many forms, such as taking a hot bath or reclining in the Lazy-boy and watching TV. Meditation is an active process where the meditator remains fully aware of what the awareness is doing. It also attempts to transcend the thought process, whereas many forms of relaxation still engage the thought process. Meditation allows the body to relax and can offset the effects of stress both mentally and physically to a potentially much greater degree than passive relaxation.
Thinking: Thoughts consume energy in the process of their formation. Constant thought-activity, especially of random nature, can tire the mind and even bring on headache. Meditation attempts to transcend this crude level of thought activity. Through regular practice one knows they are not their thoughts but that there is an awareness that exists independent of thought. Descartes (“I think, therefore I am”) obviously was not a regular meditator!
Concentration: Meditation begins with concentration, but after an initial period of concentration, thought activity decreases, and keeping the awareness focused becomes more spontaneous. At this point, the person may or may not continue to employ the object of concentration.
Self-hypnosis: Self-hypnosis, like meditation, involves at least an initial period of concentration on an object. However, in hypnosis one does not maintain an awareness of the here-and-now, or to stay conscious of the process. Instead, one essentially enters a sort of semi-conscious trance.
3. What are the different meditation techniques?
Meditation involves concentrating on something to take our attention beyond the random thought activity that is usually going on in our heads. This can involve a solid object or picture, a mantra, breath, or guided visualisation. Typical objects employed include a candle flame or a flower. Some people use pictures, such as a mandala–a highly colored symmetric painting – or a picture of a spiritual teacher in a high meditative state. Mantras are sounds, which have a flowing, meditative quality and may be repeated out loud or inwardly. The breath is also a common focal point. Finally, guided visualization is also considered by some to be meditation. A guided visualization can help to bring one into a meditative state; also, visualization may be used once a meditative state has been reached to produce various results.
4.Which is right for me?
There is no “right” meditation technique for everybody. Some techniques work better for certain people while other techniques work better for other people. The important thing is to find what works for you.
5. What are the ABC’s of meditation?
There are a few recommended guidelines for meditation:
• We should do it every day, preferably at the same time.
• It should preferably be done before a meal rather than after a meal.
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