Meditation
Easy as 1-2-3

The very word meditation conjures up many different images to each of us, but generally it has the label that "you have to empty your mind". Well I'm here to tell you that that is just not true. Not only is it not true but it is completely impossible. In order for us to empty our minds we're going to have to go through a complete brainectomy. Even the lowest types of creatures always have something on their minds.

So I give you permission right here right now to allow yourself to delve into this strange world that involves meditation. Meditation practiced often and properly can change every facet of your life. I have seen it in myself and as a teacher of meditation techniques I have witnessed the effects of changed lives in as little as 5 weeks of 1 day per week of meditation.

Webster's dictionary defines "Meditation" as: prolonged awareness.

If you've ever driven home from work and didn't remember all the details of how you got there, that's considered prolonged awareness. Have you ever read a page in a book and turned to the next page or pages and all of a sudden you had to go back? Again that's prolonged awareness. Our brains need a break from the mundane and so it comes to us in many different forms but bouts of prolonged awareness do come to each and every one of us daily. Because our attention span is so short I would guess that we are having an episode of some type of prolonged awareness each half hour.

Meditation is just a specific system that gives us the prolonged awareness that our brain and physical body requires. The brain requires rest and we are not taught to give our brains rest of any sort. We are taught to keep pushing forward. We are taught to ignore fatigue and keep moving. This all results in overload of the body and the brain and generally puts us in the fight or flight mode at all times.

Fight or flight is supposed to be used by our body only when we are in danger or in an intense situation. Because we are under so much duress each day and because we are depriving our bodies of proper breath most people are under fight or flight each waking moment. Our bodies and minds are resilient and can heal itself rapidly but put it under constant duress each day and each system begins to malfunction.

One very obvious person who is under constant duress is the President of the United States. When they take office and when they leave maybe a mere 4 years later shows markedly on their faces and their posture. There are visible and apparent changes due to the amount of duress the person in office endures. Imagine what toll is taken on each of our bodies by the constant duress. Each day we suppress and endure and allow our bodies to take abuse that we wouldn't allow someone else to do to use. Duress manifests in the body as highly toxic chemicals that the body must break down and eliminate. As we put more duress on the body by the way we eat and the way we live then the body will show and feel worn.

Meditation is a safe and easy technique that allows your body to release duress and get out of fight or flight. The first time you mediate you will feel strange because you've been in constant fight or flight most of your life.

The word meditation brings up quite a few feelings. Some of those feelings include confusion and some of them include fear. The unknown is definitely something we fear particularly if we've heard stories and allowed the media to fill our heads with doom and gloom. A simple definition of meditation is "Prolonged Awareness".

Prolonged awareness is easy because we've all had experience with that. We've been driving somewhere and missed our exit or driving home and don't remember the details of how we got home or reading a book and had to go back several pages because we don't remember what we read. These are all forms of prolonged awareness. Some may laugh and say I was just spacing out or zoning. Well that is actually a form of meditation. The brain was aware and functioning and yet it took a rest from the mundane every day task.

You may have heard that meditation can help the body. This is true but where do you turn to get to learn to meditate? Do you find a guru? Do you go to yoga class? Do you read a book? All of those are possible but still the issue about who, what, and where comes up. The other thing many people ask "Do I have to chant?". No you don't have to chant. One of the biggest issues with wanting and trying to meditate is getting the mind to quiet down. It's quite a challenge with hectic lifestyles we lead to get our minds to be empty. Whoa hold on, we don't actually need to empty our minds.

Now that you're thoroughly confused let's step back and take a look at the who, what, where to find meditation. The first thing you want to do is be open to the idea. The right class or person will come into our life if we are just open. The second thing is to ensure that you are comfortable with the person that will be teaching you or who will be your guide through meditation. The next thing is you need to get some basics under your belt.

Just because you aren't emptying your mind or you feel uncomfortable doesn't mean that you aren't having some success. Our bodies are craving the inner calm but you'll need to learn how to bring some of that inner calm in to your body just like you learned how to ride a bike. There are steps and there are bumps along the way. Perseverance is key to succeeding.

Meditation can change the physiology of your body allowing it to heal itself and releasing old anger and issues. I have had many students in my meditation class tell stories of illnesses that are now gone just because they are meditating regularly. Some students have told of not having anger issues any more and still other tell of a sense of self they had never felt. Just because the word may give you concern don't let the opportunity to learn to meditate pass you by because you may be passing up the chance to reward yourself with good health, happiness, and interacting with some wonderful new friends.

Breath

This is one of the most talked about yet least understood elements of successful meditation. Most people have the perception that because they are alive that breath is no big deal. It is a big deal it is not only the key to our life, our health and our ability to overcome nearly any physical issue.

The first thing that you need to learn how to do before you even try meditating is proper breathing technique. This is if you have the desire to see the benefits of meditation and want to succeed on a long term basis.

The majority of the American population deprives themselves of breath. We only use about 10-20% of the capacity of our lungs with our breathing paternd today. Because our lungs are one of the largest purifiers of toxins that come in to the body the fact that we use such a small portion is alarming.

As you watch a child with endless energy you see total abandon when they are at play. They are not concerned about all the things that we are concerned about and they also continue to breath properly until about 5 years of age.

What do I do about all the chatter going on in my head?

One of the first things that happens when you sit down and try to get quiet is that your brain volume seems to get turned up to very loud. Sometimes just turning off the television or radio makes this happen. We are just not used to sitting in a quiet room without some type of media turned on. Our brains are stuck in the high volume position and the low volume button hasn't been used in such a long while that it's need some oil.

With technology in our faces each day and with the chatter of our family, friends, and co-workers we don't have the opportunity to hear quiet. It is just too easy to turn ourselves off and turn on music or television for entertainment. But if we try actually our best entertainment will come from ourselves and the quiet that we give our body and brain.

Imagine that you have a Hummer car and never use any of the gadgets it's just like driving an economy car without the economy. This is the same with all the we see and hear each day. We are bombarded with new information each day and things are speeding up all the time. By allowing our minds and bodies to assimilate what we have already input we become more efficient. Our bodies become more efficient at healing and our minds become more efficient at processing. All of a sudden we have more things going on and are able to cope with each of them more effectively and this all came about because we learned how to get quiet.

In one of my meditation classes an older gentleman who had tried many times to meditate and had some success throughout the years spoke up. He blurted out how do I get rid of the "Monkey Mind"? That is the precise phrase that describes what goes one each time we try to sit down and get quiet or try to meditate.

The point isn't to make the mind quiet because that will always be difficult. If we just allow the thoughts to drift by without dwelling on them then we have success. By dwelling on them then we are telling the mind "Ok go ahead and solve that problem". Our minds are amazing in that it will do whatever you focus on. If you focus on not thinking about a pink elephant then all you think about is pink elephants. If you focus on breath you think about breathing properly. Once you're in a pattern of breathing properly then the ease of allowing thoughts to drift by becomes easier.

One of the easiest ways to get rid of monkey mind and get straight to meditating is to have someone be there with you each time as your guide. That might seem difficult but there are many mediation CD's out there that will be your guide. Having someone teach you is a great way to begin meditation. Also participating in a group that meditates once a week is also great. The challenge is which one do you pick. I have included a meditation on the opposite page that is easily done on your own but you first must learn the words. You can go to www.meditationeasyas123.com and sign up for a series of guided meditations that you can do in your own home. I have also included information on groups where you can get together to meditate frequently.

Chanting

Is chanting required to meditate? No it is not. Is it the only way I'm going to achieve quiet? No, but it may help. Do I have to chant? No you don't have to chant. The point of chanting is that it brings a particular vibration to the person meditating.

I bet you think you have never chanted anything in your life. Well I'm here to tell you that each one of chants something each day. Whether it's telling our children or husband to pick up their clothes or whether we're at a sports event we all chant. If we were ever in school and watched someone get into a fight many of the kids will be chanting. We not only chant out loud but we chant in the silence of our thoughts. Our silent chants could be about money and wishing we had more or could be about how tired we feel. Whatever it is that is repetitive would be considered chanting.

Again just using the word "Chanting" conjures up all these thoughts about strange rituals. Most people will associate the word with evil.


Demystifying Meditation

I've heard about Transcendental Meditation and that they give you a word that is supposed to be specific to me, will that help me meditate? It may but there are other techniques that will get you and keep you balanced. I've also heard that some people who got their word felt like it didn't work for them and so they never meditated again. Will that happen to me? If a meditation technique does not work for you then you shouldn't use that one but don't let that discourage you so that you don't meditate. There are many many meditation techniques available and just like finding the right pair of slacks that fit and are the color you want you must find the one that works for you. Remember that meditation is not just a one time fix. Meditation is a prescription that is free that will benefit you for the rest of your life.

I can't find the time to meditate, what should I do?
If you want to make an impact on your life and improve your health you will find the time. Remember the old saying that if you give something to someone who is busy it will get done quickly and well and if you give that same thing to someone who has a lot of time on their hands it never seems to get done.

What is the best time of day for meditation? I've heard that in the morning is the only time you should meditate.
There is benefit to meditating first thing in the morning. If you don't have time in the morning but you have time in midday or later in the evening then you should do it then. The point of meditation is today's environment is not about adhering to steadfast rules but it is about reaping the benefit of what meditation does for you mentally, physically, and emotionally.



Sheevaun Moran has been facilitating miracles for the past 14 years with over 7,000 clients. The results are profound and the techniques are truly miraculous. She teaches people to release patterns and downward spiraling thoughts and energies, that result in miraculous changes in their lives. Sheevaun, an author of 2 books, has taught classes throughout the world so people can achieve profound health, wealth, and spirituality.
You can reach Sheevaun at sheevaun@EnergeticSolutions.net
P.O. Box 808 Huntington Beach, Ca 714.374.1988