The Herbs that Rule GUIDED RELAXATION

Stress can cause many changes to our lives. It is known as the number one cause for many health issues. Relaxation is something we all need in our lives. Yet, stress can cause us many problems, making it difficult to find relaxation.  

With all the things going on around us, relaxation is hard to find at times. When we do not have resources that guide us to relaxation the body feels stressed and tense. The muscles tense, which the elastic joints feel weak and these joints cannot do its intended job.

The meditating monk
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We lose the much, needed sleep that we all need to be able to get up the next morning and go about another day of activities. Without a good restful sleep, we have a hard time making good decisions and judgments.

There are many ways to help relieve stress but it takes time to teach our minds and bodies to learn the techniques. The brain has to be taught new things before they will help us.  Learning to relieve stress means to teach the brain by practicing everyday.

Candles are a good way to relax. Just setting candles out and lighting the throughout the house is very soothing and does a good job decorating the home as well. Light candles in the bathroom when you go in to take a bath and soak in the tub while you meditate.  Dream about things you’ve always wanted to do or places you’d like to go.

Herbs are another good way to relax. Many different herbs out will help you with many health issues including relieving stress to succeed to relaxation. Be sure you know what herbs your taking and if not sure talk to a professional before starting to take herbs supplements.

Meditation is good to practice learning in order to get the relaxation that we need.  Meditating is a learning process and has to be practiced everyday. When meditating you will need to be off somewhere, you can be alone and in a quiet area.  Materials to learn how to meditate can be bought anywhere that videos, books and CD’s are sold.

Writing a journal is helpful when your trying to relieve stress and when the stress lets up relaxation will come easier. Keep a journal for each day on all the things that has stressed you out that day.  Once your finished reread it and look for changes that you can make your days look brighter. Sometimes when you’ve reread your journal for the day it will look funny and silly to you the second time around.

Get involved in an exercise class. We all can use a little exercise 2 or 3 times a week.  Exercising is good for our health as well as relaxing. If you don’t want to join a class, find you a partner to walk with for 20 or 30 minutes a couple of time a week.  You will notice that having a partner makes it more fun and relaxing to you. You’ll begin to look forward to socializing with your friend and getting out of the house.

Try out a massage mat with sound effects. These come in different sizes from a pillow to a body size. They vibrate, have heaters in them to relieve the joint pains you might be having, some have MP3’s with speakers in them to help relax just make sure that it is soft quiet music. By using the remote, you can turn it on, off, or make whatever adjustments you feel you want.

Try of the relaxation guides you might find one that works for you.  Have fun and enjoy.  

---

---

Buddhist MEDITATION

Remember those Chinese martial art movies that feature monks with their heads shaved off? Well, those folks practice Buddhism which is a spiritual movement designed to make the person find the true nature of life. At the heart of this is meditation which is the means of making this possible. 

But to understand Buddhist Meditation, you have to know the Buddhism itself is centered on the Four Noble Truths. First, we have to realize that there is suffering in the world which happens because of our ignorance and our desires. When we do understand ourselves, we can finally find a way to end this suffering. Those who find the answer have reached a state of Nirvana.

Illustration of Buddhacinga, also known as Fotudeng (佛圖澄),
a monk who came to China to propagate the teachings of
Buddhism and Buddhist meditation.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This then leads us to the core of Buddhist meditation which is the practice of the eight fold path. These virtues namely are the right action, right concentration, right effort, right livelihood, right mindfulness, right speech, right thought, and right view.

The proceedings of Buddhist Meditation are based on two things. The first is called “Samatha” which means tranquility and the second is called “Vipassana” which means mindfulness.

Let’s talk about this a little further. “Samatha” meditation involves a lot of breathing which is designed to develop concentration, detachment, equanimity and happiness. There are 40 samatha meditations and each teaches the mind to focus on a single object to produce various states of tranquility.

Vipassana meditation on the other hand develops self understanding by being able to comprehend the things that are going inside one’s head. By practicing this regularly, you will soon develop wisdom which makes you free from all suffering.

But do you have to be a follower of Buddhism in order to practice this kind of meditation? The answer is no even if this technique is based on the doctrines of this religion and revolves around concentration and mind control.

For those who would like to get into Buddhist meditation, the first thing you have to do is find a quiet place where you can do this without being disturbed. Next, get a nice soft pillow or cushion to sit on if the floor is not that comfortable for you.

Now, let your hands rest on your lap with the palms facing upward. It’s hard to stay in this position for 5 minutes or more so don’t be afraid to make a few slight adjustments. The important thing is that you are comfortable the way you are.

Then it is time to close your eyes and concentrate on your breathing. Anybody can do this but there are 4 proper ways of doing it. You can inhale and exhale long, inhale and exhale short, inhale short and exhale long or inhale long and exhale short.

It will take some time before you get the hang of things. Don’t forget to relax all your muscles so your mind and body is able to act as one.

Buddhist meditation is just one of the many techniques around that can help relieve you from stress, make you think better to have a better outlook in life and do all sorts of things that will improve your overall physical health.

If you appreciate what Buddhist Meditation can do, you can already invest in cushions, prayer beads, incense and a few other accessories. It is optional so don’t think that just because they are not around that your experience is not a fruitful one.

---

---

---

Your Best Life Awaits You, Be Involved in Scripture MEDITATION Now

Are you not satisfied with your present life? Are you dreaming that someday you will be able to live a rewarding life? Perhaps you're aspiring for a stronger marriage or a better job, gratifying relationships, and a happier family life; whatever your wishes and intentions are, all those things are realizable.

Most people would write down their dreams and goals hoping that someday all their dreams will eventually come true. Although all those things are important, it's not easy to pursue such dreams. This is because your everyday life is always crowded with routine demands from work, family, community, and etc. Oftentimes, you focus on other priorities and that's why you can't easily break away from all those things.

Scriptures AS (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you want to experience and break out and see what God has intended for you, it's really very simple. Try reading the scriptures and you can learn a lot. In fact there's the so-called scripture meditation. You can even find sites about it and by reading the scriptures or the Holy Bible you can greatly improve your way of life.

You can learn a lot from the scriptures. A simple verse from the bible can give a lot of meaning, and by meditating on it you can actually apply the words from the bible into real life situations.

Take for example Proverbs 12:11; it's about food and fantasies. Many people are easily tempted of fantasies because real life is sometimes uninteresting. The verse is indeed true and is applicable to real life. If only a person works faithfully on his land, then he will have food for his table. Whereas, persons who chase their unending fantasies and don’t plant crops, then they have nothing to harvest.

The important point in that verse is that people should stick to reality, and that each person should take risks not blindly. There are risks involved when you're pursuing your dreams, and if you lack knowledge, in can be very expensive in life's terms.

Different religions have different beliefs, but one thing that's common among them is that they trust one God although the name varies from one religion to another. They also have different bibles where the scriptures are written. These things are considered as food for the soul, and so one must not forget to live by what the scriptures say in order to live the best days of his life.

Power of Meditation

If you want, you can join certain organizations that read the scriptures, and reflect on them. By meditating on the scriptures, you will understand what God has planned for you. Your mind will be clearer and you can set your priorities straight. No more dreaming because you now know ways to achieve such dreams through God. If you only focus on your dreams and live by what the scriptures say, then perhaps you can have a rewarding and fruitful life. The best times of your life are waiting for you.

So don’t be left behind. Many people are also into scripture meditation. Try to find someone who can help you out. It's never too late, and who knows, the best times are just around the corner waiting for you. You have to start meditation now, and don’t postpone it for tomorrow.

---

---

---

What Are Some Similarities and Differences Between RELAXATION and MEDITATION?

Mahasati Meditation Basic Rhythmic Movements

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Relaxation and meditation may feel similar sometimes yet a line can be drawn between the two.

Let me share an experience. I decide it's time to have a meditation practice - for whatever reason or for no reason at all except it's time to sit. After 1 minute of sitting in an upright posture my mind is drawn to my tight shoulders. The muscles are screaming - "Please release me. I've been trying to get your attention for a long time."

Relaxation supports a meditation practice. We need silent muscles.

Meditation is a practice that ultimately helps us get a handle on the mind. A mindfulness meditation practice makes us aware of the mind. We may realize it is busy or heavy; scattered or focused. Or it could be dull or alert. The key is awareness; being aware of the quality of the mind without judging.

Relaxation as a practice is usually done lying at the end of a yoga class. The pose is called Shavasana - the corpse pose. The intention is to release tension in the muscular and the psycho-physiological system. The pose develops awareness of the body.

Practice of both relaxation and meditation can be formal or informal. With a formal practice there will be a time period. We might practice every morning before the regular activities. Or at night before going to sleep to help us unwind.

An informal practice occurs as we go about our day. We notice our shoulders creeping up to our ears and move them down. Or feel our hands in fists and soften them. It's an awareness of the body that grows out of the formal practice.

The same is true for the mind. We notice thoughts like a pattern of being critical, or the beginning of anxiety. We accept what is and have a choice to create a new thought or simply witness feelings and thoughts.

Mind versus Body

Life happens and sometimes the body may be forced to be inactive because of an injury. The mind however remains as active and engaged as before and now we notice. In this situation, if the formal practice of meditation is new, being inactive and having a scattered mind might be disconcerting.

Relaxation and meditation practices both help us befriend the body and mind. Our awareness and appreciation for these parts of ourselves deepen and we experience more of our inner world.

By Heather Greaves Heather Greaves is an avid yoga student and the owner of Body Therapies Yoga Training. She organizes yoga and meditation retreats and workshops in Ontario and Barbados, and has been helping yoga enthusiasts learn to teach therapeutic yoga in a certified program. For more yoga tips or to sign up for our monthly newsletter visit http://www.yogatogo.com Article Source: EzineArticles

---

---

---

WALKING MEDITATION: A Simple Way To Meditate Almost Any Time

Most Westerners think of meditation as someone sitting down, cross legged with their eyes closed and probably chanting some kind of mantra over and over again.

But that is only one of the ways that people can practice meditation.

Meditating can also be performed standing up, lying down or walking.

Labyrinth in Lower Leas Country Park This is in a country park in between Sandgate and Folkestone, above the seawall promenade. This artwork was designed by Clare Danstead for Shepway District Council for the park. 'As a contribution to peace and harmony within the ever-changing environment and community of Folkestone. The Labyrinth is a uni-cursal pathway leading to a centre and back out again. Used as a form of walking meditation or prayer. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today, we're going to look at walking meditation. In this situation, the walking itself is the focus of your meditation, rather than a candle or a mantra or your breathing.

Obviously, depending on where the walking is taking place, you may also need to be aware of other external influences as well, such as joggers and cyclists.

In a walking meditation, you should concentrate on the actual experience of walking. Notice the pressure on each foot as it touches the ground and the relief of that pressure as your foot rises again. Take in the experience of the muscles in your legs. Notice when they tense up and when they relax. Feel the changes in your toes as they meet the ground. Recognize what is happening to your ankles as you walk along.

As well as the stress relief that a walking meditation naturally brings, you should also experience a feeling of energy and invigoration. Walking is a more active meditation than some other types (although breathing meditations can get pretty energetic as well, if you choose to let them). You also benefit from the exercise of walking, which is an aerobic exercise in itself. It follows that a walking meditation can be of overall benefit to your health and can even help keep you fit.

If the thought of sitting or lying down to meditate has put you off in the past, then taking the walking meditation course could be just the ticket. Give it a try and see how refreshed you feel afterwards!

---

---

Creating New Experiences Through MEDITATION

How can you change what you believe when the experiences you have had has convinced you otherwise? The simple answer to that is to create a new experience. The best way for you to get that new experience is to meditate about how you can change the way you respond to what happens.The new response will create new results,which you will then experience it as a new reality.

Chase William Merritt Meditation 1885 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To reach your goal of happiness,you have to act as though the following statement is true: Everything that happens to me is the best possible thing that can happen to me. meditating to help turn a bad situation into something good can be as easy as: 1+ 1 = 2. Acting as though what happens to you is the best possible thing that can happen to you plus the new results just equals happiness in your life. 

When you are convinced of the truth that everything that happens is the best thing that can happen,life will Begin to be much more fun.It is like opening a new channel to happiness.All you need to know when meditating is happiness is there,waiting just for you.All you need to do is follow the formula that creates it.You have to remember also that unhappiness is also out there,waiting just for you.

The way you respond through meditation will determine which one you will be experiencing in your life. It is not necessary to have all the ingredients of a project in hand at the outset. They will come at the appointed time. It's only important that you move forward with the project that you have started until that appointed time comes.With the energy you create through meditation by moving forward as if you had the money to start your project,you actually put into motion a start of events that will lead you to your success.

Your actions create an energy that draws in the necessary ingredients of your project you have ventured into. Everything that you need for your venture is,in actuality,already out there,waiting for you.You only need to draw in what is needed. There is really nothing more to all of this other than just you remembering to keep an open mind and find that peace that is buried deep within you. 

The result that come with meditation that causes you to experience happiness,which then proves to you that this is how things really do work-and this leads you to soon believe that everything does indeed happen for your benefit. When you realize that is true,that is when the deep sighs of relief will come and that meditation can certainly help you see the light.

The internet is a really great place to find out all of the information that you would need about meditation, in case you are interested in learning more about it for your own benefits. This is very important for you to consider doing because it will relieve you from so much stress circulating throughout your life each and everyday. Try practicing meditation as often as you can because you are really going to benefit from it. 

---

Different BUDDHIST MEDITATION Techniques

There are a number of different Buddhist meditation techniques that followers and many meditation enthusiasts practice. Despite their differences, the techniques are all generally based on developing two things- mindfulness and concentration. Attentiveness to the movements of the body and to the ever changing states of mind is to be developed in order to identify the real concept of self. 

Buddhist Meditation Monk in Wat Huai Chalong Rat Bamrung (Phra Ajaan Daeng Siribhatto)
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Objectivity in this case can be a valuable aid to clear thinking. With objectivity comes concentration, the ability to focus the mind and keep in focused on a single point or object.

Many Buddhist schools employ different techniques in meditation. Some may focus on such practices as breathing meditation while others on movements. The diversity can be so wide ranging that there are a multitude of variations available. Most Buddhist techniques can be school specific. Only a few masters aim to combine and categorize the techniques from several Buddhist traditions.

One of the known meditation techniques is that being practiced by Western Order meditation master Kamalashila. The teacher identifies that there are five basic methods to be used as a traditional set for meditation. Each method can be used as an antidote to one of the five primary obstructions to Enlightenment- distraction, hatred, craving, conceit and ignorance. 

One of the five basic methods is the mindfulness of breathing. This involves the practice of tranquility meditations. This method helps to counteract distraction and aims to develop better concentration. Another of the five basic methods laid out is the Metta Bhavana. This method includes the four brahma viharas and is used to counteract sentimental attachment or hatred. This method aims to develop loving kindness in a person. 

Another of the five basic methods in Buddhist meditation is the contemplation of impermanence. This method can help counteract craving and develop inner peace and the feeling of freedom. The six element practice is based on meditation involving the six elements- earth, water, space, air, fire and consciousness. The six element practice method of meditation counteracts craving and develop instead some clarity in a person regarding to self. The fifth basic method of meditation is the contemplation of conditionality which aims to counteract ignorance and instead develop wisdom and compassion. There are also other Buddhist meditation techniques not identified by the five basic methods. This includes different methods of visualizations, meditation by sitting and the walking meditation. 

Another of the many techniques used in Buddhist meditation include the five types of Zen as grouped by Kuei-feng. In this case, the Zen practices were grouped according to five categories. Although mostly common for Zen practitioners, the techniques are also applicable to Buddhist meditation methods. One of the types is the "bonpu" or "ordinary" meditation that is done to achieve physical and mental well-being in absence of any spiritual goal. There is also the "gedo" or "outside way" which is meditation that is used for non-Buddhist purposes. The third is the "shojo" or "small vehicle" which is meditation used in pursuit of self-liberation or nirvana. 

The fourth of the Zen Buddhist meditation techniques as grouped by Kuei-feng is the "daijo" or "great vehicle" which is the meditation in pursuit of achieving self-realization to experience the unity of all things. Then there is also the "saijojo" or "supreme vehicle" which is the meditation aimed to realize the Buddha nature as imminent in all beings. 

---

---

---