MEDITATION

What is Meditation?
Meditation has been practiced around the world in every known religion,
from Buddhism to Christianity. Many people have meditated for spiritual
communication, personal fulfillment, as a form of worship or just to
relax and relieve stress.
During this century western societies have begun to recognise the
benefits of meditation. The breathing and visualisations employed by
traditional medicine help people fight cancer, physical illnesses,
relieve stress and so on.

Basically meditation is an altered state of consciousness achieved
through controlled breathing and visualisation. Webster's New
World Dictionary defines meditation as a deep continued thought
and solemn reflection on sacred matters as a devotional act.
Both definitions are accurate, but meditation is so much more.
Meditation helps the physical conscious mind connect with the
higher or divine consciousness we all have inside ourselves.
Through practice and dedication, this bridging between our
physical and divine selves, opens the doors to a new spiritual
knowledge that has always existed, but that we may not have
been able to tap into.

The Health Benefits of Meditation
Meditation can transform our lives. As we meditate and expand our
consciousness we open ourselves up to love and light. We begin to see
things from a more loving, spiritual viewpoint. We become more tolerant
of others. We find more inner peace and joy...that inner peace touches
everyone we come in contact with.
As you practice meditation you should become a little calmer and more
relaxed during your regular daily activities. You become better able to
handle unexpected events or can think more clearly when dealing with a
problem or trying to find a solution.
Some of the stress and tension you experience should begin to subside
each time you perform your chosen meditation technique. All in all, less
stress and tension will lead to a healthier and happier you.
On a spiritual side, you may begin to notice an increased interest in your
chosen religious path. A degree of self-discovery may also begin to happen.
People who meditate on a regular basis report feeling the `need' to improve their attitudes or outlook on life.

The Best Ways to Meditate
There are many meditation methods. Some are passive -- such as observing the breath. Others are active -- in the sense that you actually do something like repeating a word or mantra.
Christian meditation is a form of quiet (but not necessarily silent) contemplation often associated with prayer or scripture study. It is rooted in the Bible, which directs its readers to meditate. In Joshua 1:8, God commands his people to meditate on his word day and night to instill obedience. The psalmist says that "his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2)
The Bible mentions meditate or meditation many times.

Buddhist meditation, meditation used in the practice of Buddhism, "includes any method of meditation that has Enlightenment as its ultimate aim". The closest word for meditation in the classical languages of Buddhism is bhavana or "mental development".

Chakra meditation is a unique form of relaxation that involves deep concentration. By achieving an uninterrupted level of focus, psychic energy is able to flow up through your body, energizing and reinvigorating all of your different chakras along the way.
No matter what method of meditation you choose; your body and mind will be better and stronger by sitting, breathing and taking a quiet moment for yourself.
Your health is worth the time to find the technique that is right for you.

The How To's Of Meditation
There are numerous forms of meditation. Yoga, Ti-Chi, Mantras, Gazing and Freeform are the most common types practiced in the western world.
No one way is better than another. What works for one person may not work for another. So it's best for a person to choose the type of meditation that feels the most comfortable for them.
Yoga and Ti-Chi.
These methods use physical movements or positions to focus the mind and body away from everyday happenings.
Mantras.
This vocal method uses a personal sound, like a hum or phrase, to focus and clear the mind.
Gazing.
Using an object, such as a crystal ball or candle, to help focus and find the meditative state.
Freeform
This method is generally the most common type of meditation practiced today.
Freeform is just that, it does not rely on sound, movement or visual stimuli to focus the mind and body. Rather it uses your own ability to concentrate on nothing. Soft relaxing music can accompany this form of meditation to help the mind block out background noises and distractions.

Creating a Space to Meditate
First find a space to use on a regular basis for your meditations.
Doing this conditions your mind to relax. In time, just sitting in your
meditation space will immediately relax you.
Your meditation space can be a small area in your home where you
can sit with your eyes closed for at least a few minutes each day.
Choose a clean, quiet place away from all distractions where you
can sit on a chair or on the floor. If you use a chair, choose one that
allows you to keep your back as straight as possible.
If you sit on the floor, you may want to lean your back against
something so that you can keep it straight.
For a few days just sit quietly in your space for five to ten minutes.
This will help establish your energy. Before you sit you may light a
candle or some incense, if you like. Eventually, lighting the candle
or incense will signal your brain that it's time for meditation.

Meditation Methods - A Spiritual Meditation
First and foremost most people think that you must clear your mind. WRONG!
You cant! It's not possible. Our brains or minds are far to complex for that, what we can do is alter the level of our awareness. Secondly, we cannot shut out background noise, in many ways it would be dangerous to do so. So quietly play some soothing music to help you relax. Even if you can hear traffic or people just keep going. We also have to be patient sometimes.
Spirit will be working with you, but on their understanding not yours.
They often wait for us to remove doubts, blockages and other distractions that may undermine the very work they strive to teach.

Finding your Spirit Guides

Haunted Weekend is producing a series of meditation cds, from beginners to advanced practitioners, in which you will be talked into and out of meditation.
These meditations are designed for stress relief, coping with life problems and to bring forward your Spirit Guides so you may get to know them and so they may work more closely with you and give you guidance.

The first of these, entitled 'Spirit Guides' - Develop Your Psychic Ability, is a three meditation cd aimed at beginners to intermediate levels. These guided meditations have been used with Haunted Weeeknd's own Spiritual circle with great success over many months. There will also be support from Haunted Weekend's Mediums to answer questions and offer guidance where needed. 'SPIRIT GUIDES' in now on sale from the HW shop. To buy it now click >HERE<