With the hectic pace and demands of modern life, many people feel stressed and overworked. It often feels like there is just not enough time in the day to get everything done. Our stress and tiredness can make us unhappy, impatient and frustrated.
With the hectic pace and demands of modern life, many people feel stressed and overworked. It often feels like there is just not enough time in the day to get everything done. Our stress and tiredness can make us unhappy, impatient and frustrated. It can even affect our health. We are often so busy we feel there is no time to stop and meditate! But meditation actually gives you more time by making your mind calmer and more focused. A simple ten or fifteen-minute breathing meditation as explained below can help you to overcome your stress and find some inner peace and balance.
Meditation can also help us to understand our own mind. We can learn how to transform our mind from negative to positive, from disturbed to peaceful, from unhappy to happy. Overcoming negative minds and cultivating constructive thoughts is the purpose of the transforming meditations found in the Buddhist tradition. This is a profound spiritual practice you can enjoy throughout the day, not just while seated in meditation.
Stop. Breathe.
For thousands of years, people have turned to meditation as a way to quiet the mind and obtain inner peace and tranquillity.
For thousands of years, people have turned to meditation as a way to quiet the mind and obtain inner peace and tranquillity.
The benefits
Meditation can help to lower overall stress levels and can help improve your focus and concentration. It may help you to sleep better and also help you to relax while breastfeeding.
Meditation can help to lower overall stress levels and can help improve your focus and concentration. It may help you to sleep better and also help you to relax while breastfeeding.
Practice, patience, persistence
Meditation may not be easy for you at first, in fact, it may seem frustrating. Keeping your mind quiet and focused is next to impossible. Many experienced meditators say that the mind fights back when you first start meditating and actually makes it harder. The good news is that, like anything else, meditation becomes easier the more you do it. Even if you've mastered the technique, it can take time to see the results.
Meditation may not be easy for you at first, in fact, it may seem frustrating. Keeping your mind quiet and focused is next to impossible. Many experienced meditators say that the mind fights back when you first start meditating and actually makes it harder. The good news is that, like anything else, meditation becomes easier the more you do it. Even if you've mastered the technique, it can take time to see the results.
Make it a family affair
Teaching your children to meditate from a young age may be one of the most precious gifts you can give them. Treat it like a game. For instance, see who can sit still and be quiet the longest. Try sitting around a candle (at a safe distance from the flame) and see if you can all be so still that the flame doesn't move.
Teaching your children to meditate from a young age may be one of the most precious gifts you can give them. Treat it like a game. For instance, see who can sit still and be quiet the longest. Try sitting around a candle (at a safe distance from the flame) and see if you can all be so still that the flame doesn't move.
Getting started
Here are some guidelines to help you launch your meditation practice:
Here are some guidelines to help you launch your meditation practice:
- Decide when you're going to meditate.
- Find a quiet place in your home.
- Gather a couple of items (pillows, incense, a photograph) that you will begin to associate with getting into a relaxed state.
- Get into a comfortable position. Sitting cross-legged or lying down would work. Keep your spine long so you can breathe deeply and easily.
- Think positive thoughts. When your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back without negative feedback.
- Use music or even a YouTube video for guidance. There are many guided meditation clips on YouTube find one that works for you and stick to it!
Written by Laura Doyle staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.lovelifeandlittleones.com.
