meditate daily

Learn to meditate with free classes and guided meditations from The Meditation Society of Australia at http://meditation.org.au/

In the first class, “How Meditation Works,” you learn three simple steps to meditation:

(1) Start with the superficial scattered mind (where we are most of the time)

(2) Progress to deeper analytical thinking (when we are completely focused)

(3) From deep thinking, enter intuitive states/revelations (“Ah” moments)

Learn 7 Keys to Meditation:

1. Special place

2. Prepare physically

3. Sit relaxed and sit straight

4. Slow and steady

5. Choose the right time

6. The power of music

7. You

These notes will make sense to you as you listen to the mp3.

The direct link to the podcast is:
http://meditation.org.au/podcast_directory.asp

You can listen online or download the mp3 files, and also watch a video.

P.S. This entry is cross-posted to my blog at http://blog.myspace.com/nursehealer

I’m thankful for this goal to keep me focused. I have noticed a gradual; but ever-growing change in my life since I committed to meditate daily.

Meditation is what you make it. One thing I’ve learned is that you can gain marvellous insight from meditation whether it is seated with chakra-alignment, lying flat, propped up on pillows on the couch, or kicked back in the recliner. There are obvious advantages of one over the other; but that does not mean that there is only one right way to meditate. I have to meditate in my recliner (where I mostly sleep as well) due to physical infirmities; but this meditation is not inferior to any other I have experienced. What you get out of meditation is inherently related to what you bring to it.

It has been wonderful to start each day with meditation and prayer. Getting into mindset by listening to spiritual music instead of the morning news has been a marvellous blessing. The time I’ve been devoting to this and scripture reading have helped to channel me in the right direction. Wow! I’ve been so blessed with spiritual inspiration!

I highly recommend the daily meditation by whatever means works for you at this time.

Someone asked me on another goal thread (rejoice in adversity) about mantras in use for meditation. The topic belongs on this thread. Mantras are words that are repeated like a chant as one meditates. The process of repeating the phrase helps one to focus, and there is power in the spoken word. As you repeat the words over and over, you speak power into them. There are traditional mantras often used; but a person can choose any words as a mantra. For example, someone who just can’t seem to let go might simply repeat the word, “relax” to help get meditation underway. We must choose our words wisely, though, because it’s a bit similar to self-hypnosis, and we want to take care that the meaning of the words we choose for a mantra are really what we desire.

Here are some really good resources for information on Mantra Meditation.

Mantra Meditation Explanation
http://www.focalpointyoga.com/mantra_meditation.htm

Introduction to and History of Mantra Meditation
http://www.wildmind.org/meditation/mantra/

Mantra Meditation
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/har/mm.htm

Learn How to Meditate with Ananda Marga Mantra Meditation
http://www.anandamarga.org/meditation.htm

Mantra Meditation: History; Definition; Dynamics; Application; Evaluation
http://www.sas.upenn.edu/~weinberg/Mantra.html

I’ve really been thinking about my goal to “meditate daily” and to “improve my prayer life”. I think the best solution right now is for me to begin my day with meditation and prayer (more earnest, sincere, fervent prayer). I always start the day with prayer; but it’s gotten to be a rushed thing. That’s not the right frame of mind for reverent personal prayer. So, instead of turning to the news as I awaken and prepare for work, I’m going to begin with meditation. Perhaps some inspirational music as I awaken to put me in the mood to meditate. Then my morning prayers should be much improved. Anybody else have any ideas?