#10: Beginning Meditation

Read the tips below and try meditating (When you are done answer the question below)

TRY TO MEDITATE

Meditation is the art of focusing 100% of your attention in one area. The practice comes with a myriad of well-publicized health benefits including increased concentration, decreased anxiety, and a general feeling of happiness.

Start with the breath. Breathing deep slows the heart rate, relaxes the muscles, focuses the mind and is an ideal way to begin practice. Stretch first. Stretching loosens the muscles and tendons allowing you to sit (or lie) more comfortably. Additionally, stretching starts the process of “going inward” and brings added attention to the body.

Meditate with Purpose. Beginners must understand that meditation is an ACTIVE process. The art of focusing your attention to a single point is hard work, and you have to be purposefully engaged!

Notice frustration creep up on you. This is very common for beginners as we think “hey, what am I doing here” or “why can’t I just quiet my damn mind already”. When this happens, really focus in on your breath and let the frustrated feelings go. Feel your body parts. A great practice for beginning mediators is to take notice of the body when a meditative state starts to take hold. Once the mind quiets, put all your attention to the feet and then slowly move your way up the body (include your internal organs). This is very healthy and an indicator that you are on the right path. Make sure you will not be disturbed. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is not insuring peaceful practice conditions. If you have it in the back of your mind that the phone might ring, your kids might wake, or your coffee pot might whistle than you will not be able to attain a state of deep relaxation.

How did it go? (this is a paragraph that addresses the success and /or failures of your efforts)

While I tried to meditate, I found myself concentrating on little sounds and things that I had not noticed before. I got very distracted going in an out of a peaceful state trying to clear my mind of any thoughts or distractions, I tried to be in the now. I could feel things in my body I had not felt before, I was completely relaxed, and was very tired. I think that meditating helped me become more calm, and relaxed.