On Meditation



 
People are turning to meditation more each day as a way to battle stress and live a fuller life, a trend which I think is wonderful.  But how do you meditate often when life is in the process of trying to drive you nuts?  Those are the times when you need to center yourself the most, but when you have the least time and motivation to do so.  A friend also pointed out another problem; she is unable to really let go.  In answering her problem, I came to the realization that what she is going through must be rather common, so I decided a few suggestions to help others may be in order.  These are just some ways to help in those in the same type of situations.  If you have any ideas of your own, but no place to post them, by all means, e-mail them to me at  aerta@oocities.com , and I'll put them up with full credit to you.
 
 
 
Bathtub Meditation
Are you one of those people who relishes a hot bath, and that's about the only time you can manage to get for yourself?  Here's an idea to make that bath even more valuable.  Try it for a week, and then see if your outlook on life doesn't improve!
Make sure you have at least a half and hour (or even 15 mins.. some is better than none!).  Run your bath, adding whatever bathsalts have a fragrance you think is soothing. (if you are doing this to start your day, invigorating would help too! Beats that second cup of coffee!)  Make sure you lock the door, and if you have kids, try to do this either before they get up or after they go to bed.  Then, simply lie there and drift!  Don't try to empty your mind, just allow the thoughts that keep trying to surface to float on by, without letting them grab your attention.   Just let yourself BE, with out any worries or cares pulling you down.  Do this often enough, and you'll notice a big change; not just in how you feel, but in how your thought processes work.

Women's Meditation

Recently, my hubby and I had a long discussion on what we felt was the difference between how men and women meditate. Men tend to do better when they focus on 'nothingness' or one particular object and center themselves, while I've noticed that many women do better when we mentally 'expand' - we just let ourselves difuse out and become bigger than the problem, letting the energy of the Universe center us. Looking at the body of literature that has been written on meditiation practices, I've also noticed that the majority of it was written by men, and while the ends are the same between the sexes, our outlook differs. So, once again, to help women who have a hard time meditating, here's another meditation you may wish to try.

Needless to say, this is one of those times to get by yourself, unplug the phone, etc. If you have a room that you can be alone in, better yet. Set the lighting at what feels relaxing to you in whatever way you choose, such as a low wattage lamp, perhaps a few candles (be mindful of the curtains) and scent the room in some way. I feel best when I use powdered incense on a burner and cense the whole room, but methinks that is my wiccan training! *L* However you feel you need to scent the room, do so, just make sure that the scent is soothing to you and not so overpowering that you cough yourself silly!

The next part you can do either standing or lying down - I personally always do it standing as it helps me visualize better, but just make sure you don't fall asleep. Stand or lie with your hands and legs extended at 45 degree angles to your body - basically a star design with you as the star. Visualize yourself becoming mistlike, but retaining your own shape. Feel yourself expanding - become aware of the Universe around you - see the stars, feel the activity of them, but the peace of the void the stars reside in - and visualize yourself becoming larger and larger, extending yourself to all parts of the Universe, with the Earth at your navel. Feel youself feeling nothing but peace regardless of what is going on in the Universe - you are merely an observer. If you wish, observe everything working in perfect order and love, even if you do not understand it all. Maintain this view as long as you can, then visualize yourself condensing, shrinking back to yourself, bringing the peace of the Universe with you as you once again become solid in your body. This meditation is very powerful, but remember, don't go to sleep if you are lying down! I personally love this mediation, and it may even benefit men - I just don't know of any who have tried it! 

As I go along, there will be more added to this page, but that's it for now, and great for a start!

Back Home
Herbal Index
About Me
The Charge
My Spellbook
Help Our Mother
Backgrounds, Bars & Buttons



This page hosted by GeoCities.. Get your own Free Home Page!