Meditation is simply known as "consciously directing your attention to alter your state of consciousness." [Worldwide Online Meditation Center, 1998] There are several different objects that one can focus on in order to become self-aware. Self-awareness is the focal point of helping the body and mind to relax. Such objects consist of one's own breathing, mantras, colors, etc. The point of meditation is to see where the attention is directed and how it can alter one's consciousness.
Meditation Misconceptions
There are several reasons that some people may not try the meditation process. These such reasons are definite misconceptions of the technique.
- One must be highly trained in meditation to practice it correctly: This is not true. The only thing that can be truly difficult with meditation is if the person becomes so fixated on doing it right. There is not so much a right or wrong way, but it is more of just doing it or not doing it.
- During meditation, one must have a complete thoughtless mind: False again. This happens with more practice of meditation. It is not easy for a person to sit down as soon as they get home from work and expect all their thoughts to disappear. Different meditation techniques allow the mind to lose thoughts from the day and focus on self-awareness.
- One must be great at keeping their attention focused on one thing: Not true. The idea of staying focused on one thing also comes with more time and practice with meditation. A beginner is not expected to be able to do this immediately.
- There is only one kind of meditation: False. There are several different types of awareness that one can feel. This is the idea of meditating in the first place.
Tips for Easy Meditation
There are a few things that can derail meditation such as not finding the time, the discomfort of releasing physical and emotional toxins, and not allowing the mind to grow. Fortunately, there are some tips for an easy meditation session.
- Thoughts are not the enemy. Some people may think that if their thoughts are the only thing with them during meditation then they are not doing it right. It is almost absurd to think that someone just beginning meditation can erase all the thoughts from the day and focus so easily.
- Do not be so concerned on the actual experience of meditation. This will make the experience less enjoyable. It makes it more difficult to relax when the person is only thinking about how meditating is supposed to be done.
- Leave all expectations at the door. It does not matter what people say about meditation until they have actually tried it. Although it may not seem like anything is happening after each meditation session, the experience starts with the inner being, so the positive changes may take effect after a few sessions.
- Relaxed effort is the key. As mentioned, do not over think how meditation should be done. On the other hand, an individual does not want to use zero effort at all and space out. Relaxed effort falls comfortably in the middle.
A person can meditate in the morning, afternoon or night. It depends on when there is time in the day. It is best to start off with thirty minute sessions of meditating. Depending on the individual, the allotted time can increase from there.
Sources
Worldwide Online Meditation Center by Jim Malloy. www.meditationcenter.com
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