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Develop Your Own Meditation Style

By: Michael Molloy

Read More About Meditation

The word meditation is used by numerous people in numerous ways. Everyone seems to be meditating on something. Various religions teach some form of meditation, teachers want students to meditate on their lessons, hypnotists tell people to meditate to achieve specific goals, and there are also New Age forms of mediation. So when people talk about meditating, exactly what are they talking about?

Meaning of Meditation

One definition of meditation is constant thought, reflection or contemplation. This description gives you a pretty wide open boundary as to what is essentially considered meditation. There seems to be no restrictions as to what you are allowed to reflect on, think about, or contemplate for it to be labeled as meditation.

Another definition of meditation is "devout religious contemplation or spiritual introspection." This definition seems to limit your contemplation and internal thought to that of spiritual matters.

Still one pastor defined meditation as constant mulling over of a particular scripture, verse, or idea in much the same manner that a cow chews its cud over and over again. While the analogy is less than tasteful, the point is understood.

Some people believe that day dreaming is a kind of meditation. Most experts do not believe that day dreaming is meditation for a couple of reasons. The primary reason is that day dreaming does not give the same benefit as meditation. Moreover it is not something that one does consciously.

The general connotation people have of meditation is that the activity should produce relaxation and reduce stress. This ideal seems to put more restrictions on what thoughts can be concentrated on than any of the official definitions.

Methods of Meditation

Methods of meditation appear to vary as much as the definition for that topic. What people choose to do when they meditate differs from subtle and almost unnoticeable to extreme and bizarre. Some of those methods include:

* Quiet - Some people simply sit quietly and focus their thoughts on the topic they have chosen to bring them relaxation or revelation. This is one of those subtle methods during which passersby would be totally unaware of the meditation taking place.
* Humming - Some people select humming while they meditate. This is considered by some to help clear the mind.
* Mantra - Other people choose to practice mantra, a form of chanting a particular word or phrase, as a means of focusing their thoughts into a beneficial direction.
* Visual Focusing - Another common practice is to focus on an object such as a candle. This has been considered by some as a form of hypnotism.

While some people will tell you that meditation is a way in which to empty or clear the mind that may be only the first step. This is because by every form of the definition meditation appears to involve thought or reflection. In fact, it is even implied that it involves deep thought. So, clearing all other thoughts from your mind before focusing your thoughts on the predetermined topic will allow better focus.

Benefits of Meditation

There are a number of benefits that come with meditation. One of the main goals is to reduce stress. Lowering your stress level positively affects many different aspects of a person's health. This includes blood pressure, improving heart health, mental clarity and improving sleep. Since most health issues can be linked to stress therefore a reduction in stress definitely improves your well being in a number of ways.

Determining the methods of meditation that are most useful to you may take some work. Deciding what works, what you are comfortable with and what your focus should be will be the process that decides your personal meditation style. Your style may change over time just as your lifestyle does. Whatever technique you choose, the long term benefits to your physical and mental health are definitely going to be positive and worth the time and effort it takes to develop your style of meditation.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Michael Molloy is a qualified fitness and weight loss instructor who understands why concentration and balance are vital for a successful life! Visit: www.onesteptofitness.com/meditation/">Meditation Techniques and discover what meditation can do for you!

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