Meditation Advice, Guidance and Tips

By Remez Sasson Meditation is sticking to one thought. That single thought keeps away other thoughts; distraction of mind is a sign of its weakness; by constant meditation it gains strength. - Sri Ramana Maharshi Meditation is more than a technique for relaxing the body, as some people might think. It is a method for gaining freedom from constantly nagging thoughts and worries, and for quieting the chatter of the mind. In its higher levels, meditation leads to inner peace and happiness, and to spiritual awakening and enlightenment. Meditation plays an important role in various religions and spiritual traditions, and has always been practiced everywhere, from ancient times until the present day. There have always been people, who had the desire to go within, beyond the mind, and to discover who and what they are, and attain a higher spiritual consciousness. There are many forms, techniques and traditions, which are practiced and followed for various reasons and aims, for relaxation and health, for mental mastery and inner peace, and of course, for attaining spiritual awakening and enlightenment, and for discovering who you really are.

Meditation calms down the body and the mind. Reduces stress and anxiety. Normalizes the blood pressure, and has a healing effect on the body. It improves the power of concentration, sharpens the mind and strengthens the intuition. Its constant practice reduces the number of restless thoughts in the mind and brings inner peace, happiness and bliss.

In order to obtain results meditation has to be practiced every day, at least once a day, twice a day is better. A beginner may start with only 10 minutes and gradually increase the time. Essentially, there are two forms of meditation. One that requires focusing the mind on a certain activity, such as on the breathing process, or on a concrete object, mental image, a word, thought or a quality of character. The other form, requires that you do not focus on anything in particular, but to empty the mind of thoughts, and merge into the inner silence within you, into your Real, Inner Self. This form can only be practiced after one is well trained with the first form.

Below, you will find several things you can do to improve your ability to meditate, reduce the inner resistance of the mind, and improve your chances of success. Read these suggestions attentively, and apply them to any technique that you choose to practice.

Tips and advice for meditation:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. It is important to meditate every day. Keep up a positive attitude. Do not meditate when you are tired. Meditate in a place where you can be alone and undisturbed. Sit in a comfortable position with your spine erect. You can sit on the floor, on a cushion or on a chair. 6. Relax your body. 7. Take a few slow deep breaths. 8. To relax even more, for a few moments focus on a pleasant memory, or a mental image of a place that makes you feel calm. 9. Think for a few moments about the benefits of meditation, how it will strengthen your focus, calm down your mind, ease stress and tension, etc. 10. Before you start to meditate, tell yourself that all thoughts, ideas and plans will have now to wait until you finish, and that nothing is going to distract your mind. 11. Start meditating calmly, yet with focused attention. The more focused the attention is, the easier it is to ignore thoughts and other distractions. 12. Strive to stay calm, both mentally and physically, and do not tense your body. 13. Patience, perseverance and self discipline should be always cultivated. 14. 10 minutes of practice are quite enough for a beginner. 15. Start with a simple technique. Here are two examples: a) Focus your attention on your incoming and outgoing breath. For a few minutes, focus your attention on your breath. Breathe normally, while focusing on the act of breathing in and breathing out. Be careful not to strain your breath and your body. b) Focusing on an inspiring quote. Choose an inspiring quote from any spiritual teacher, and repeat it in your mind, trying to find its deep meaning, beyond the written words. "Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom." - Buddha -