AngelHands
Holistic Therapy
| Meditation As a therapist, I regularly meet clients who are experiencing the symptoms of chronic stress. This can manifest physically as pain (headaches and back pain being the most common) or skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Of course, the body is doing its best to let YOU know that you're out of balance.... but you're not listening and so the symptoms go on. You become irritable, feel angry, anxious, depressed, frustrated with life. Everything becomes a chore and to top it all - you can't get a good night's sleep! So, what do you do? Go to the doctor ... get some pills? Well, yes, you should go to your GP. The doctor will check your blood pressure, run tests, diagnose your condition and prescribe medication to alleviate the symptoms... which is generally not addressing the root cause and long-term medication may not be what you want. You've just been told that there is nothing physically wrong with you - you're "STRESSED" and need to take things easier. Perhaps get a sick note for a couple of weeks off work. Maybe longer. Six months? How will that affect your job? It isn't always possible to take time off work, especially if you're self-employed and your finances won't stretch to cover the loss of earnings. So what can you do to help yourself? What can you do to calm the anxiety you feel, lift your depression and relieve those headaches? MEDITATION COULD BE THE ANSWER IT COSTS NOTHING and it could give you your life back! By giving yourself just 20 minutes each day (preferably first thing in the morning) to sit in the quiet and connect with who you really are, you are opening up to the potential within to TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE and live it in the way you want to. It sounds too simple, doesn't it? Well, it is ... that simple. If it does nothing more than reducing your dosage of prescribed medication, then that's got to be a good thing, hasn't it? How do you meditate? |
 | Choose a chair that supports your back and allows both feet to lay | |
| flat on the floor without putting pressure on the back of the thighs. | ||
| Do not lay down to meditate. This inevitably leads to sleep rather than | |
| meditation. | ||
| Turn off the phones. | |
| Ensure you are not going to be disturbed. Tell family members what | |
| you are doing and ask that they respect this practice. | ||
| No bright lights, draughts, or external noise to distract your | |
| thoughts. | ||
| Have a glass of water before and after meditation. Water assists in the | |
| natural elimination of waste from the body and you may also find that your mouth is a little dry after a session of deep relaxation. |
| There are many ways in which to meditate, largely dependant on belief systems or disciplines, but the key facts remain constant. As a beginner, just remember that this is a SIMPLE exercise and comes quite naturally, with patience and diligence. Above all, enjoy it! Allow your body to find a comfortable position on the chair, back upright, let your hands fall naturally into your lap, either palms up or palms down. (As your meditative practice advances, you may discover hand positions that will deepen your connection. These are called Mudras and are spiritual gestures). Next, be aware of your breathing. The in breath and the out breath, as it enters and leaves through the nostrils. It may help if you focus on the tip of your nose, with your eyelids gently closed. Thoughts WILL enter your mind. It's quite natural, but they will gradually lessen as you allow any thought to come in, be acknowledged and flow out again. Thoughts are energy, flowing in and flowing out... DO NOT hold on to them or work with them. You can come back to them later on in the day - when you need to. Meditation takes practice. Don't give up or feel defeated if you, at first, find it difficult to relax. You may find that subdued lighting, a lit candle, gentle background music (no words... you'll sing along) or a water feature helps you to focus and clear the mind of busy thought patterns. Personally, I prefer to sit in the quiet. Allow your relaxed state to deepen - naturally. Be patient. It's not a race. No-one is judging you. There is no performance value in meditation. Try this simple exercise - take your time - feel the benefit of releasing muscular tension. SIT STILL - DON'T FIDGET! BREATHE THROUGH THE NOSTRILS Release any tension in the body on the out breath Slowly, mentally scan your body Starting at your feet, working upwards, focusing on each area in turn. Be aware of any tension in your toes and release it on the out breath. Repeat this process by focusing on the feet, then the ankles, lower legs, knees, thighs, buttocks, lower back, spine, abdomen, chest, hands, arms,shoulders, neck, head, face, around the eyes, mouth ... and feel the release on each out breath sending any tension down to Mother Earth to be transmuted into goodness (I never send negative emotions / conditions to our planet without asking that it be transmuted into something positive) Now breathing in a beautiful white or golden light to fill your entire body When you have done this, be aware of how you feel Sit in the stillness for as long as you need to As you gently release the physical tension, your body responds by first feeling heavier and then almost "melting away" until you are no longer aware of it. Your awareness broadens and you may feel transcended to a place of "nothingness" but being part of everything - your senses heightened - no expectations, no fear, JUST BEING. You are in the most perfect moment - THE PRESENT. * * * You will return to full consciousness quite naturally and feel refreshed and alert. DO NOT JUMP UP IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS Give yourself time to come back gradually You will find that, as your experience deepens, you may need longer to return to your normal, fully conscious state. Meditation often improves CLARITY and FOCUS Our ability to think more clearly and make decisions is hugely beneficial and leads to a more balanced life. We feel more in control and confident. Living in our complicated world seems easier, less stressful, more enjoyable. Those social crutches, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs are no longer needed. A guided meditation CD is sometimes helpful and there are now many available to buy either in the shops or on line. ....but it's always nice to get something for FREE, isn't it? I will be adding some guided meditations that can be freely downloaded from this site. Come back and check soon. |
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| ZEN BUDDHIST IN MEDITATION |