Renew Yourself With Meditation    

By Deborah Ferris

Published in Around About Bayham, June 11, 2009.

 

Who hasn’t felt like they need to get away at times and just renew and refresh themselves?  Today there is a way that you can do this without long-distance travel or paying out a lot of money.  It’s called practicing Mindfulness Meditation, a time-proven way to relax and re-energize yourself.

 

Mindfulness meditation comes from Buddhism but thanks to pioneering teachers like Jon Kabbat-Zin, who founded the Mindfulness Stress Reduction Clinic in 1979, more and more Westerners are practicing this awareness based meditation.

 

Mindfulness means to be aware in the moment of what is happening within you and around you.  To practice it, you simply bring your focus to the breath and when your attention strays to thoughts, feelings or sensations just gently bring yourself back to the present and to the breath.  Mindful meditation can be done while sitting on a cushion or when doing everyday routine tasks like washing the dishes.

 

It has been proven to be highly effective for people suffering from depression, chronic physical pain and a wide range of other health concerns.  It also helps to foster a sense of peace, harmony and love for ourselves and others.  It really can be essential to our personal renewal and peace of mind.

 

With practice we can become skilful in meditating and recognizing limiting thoughts, feelings and behaviours as they arise.  This awareness leads to dynamic change and to a joyful, healthy life.

 

Deborah Ferris is a Certified Hypnotherapist & Reiki Master/Teacher.  You can reach her at (519) 688-9282.