Does Mediation Improve your Memory? One of the main benefits of meditation is that it helps the body to relax. Through concentration and breathing, stress can be released and this allows you to be much more receptive and open. Meditation can be beneficial to memory because if you are relaxed your memory will improve.
If there have been times when you forgot something like a birthday, you will recall the guilt that followed. Most likely you were already in stress. This guilt in turn feed the cycle of forgetfulness by turning into anxiety which made you forget other things and so on.
Using meditation techniques you can open up the mind and allow memory function to improve. You will find your self being able to recall things like phone numbers, dates, and names without having to refer to books can calenderers.
Meditation can be simple enough to perform on a daily basis. Use meditation in combination with a program of developing memory to help you boost your memory. You want to find a place that is quiet. You can use things such as candles or essential oils to get into the mood and help your relax. In fact, some essential oils can be beneficial for the memory.
There are classes offered now in gyms or natural health care facilities all over the country. You can find one with an emphasis on boosting the memory. If you have a regular routine of meditation, it has the added benefit of improving your self esteem. If you know you are on target memory wise, you will feel good about yourself.
If you don’t want to join a class, there are plenty of manuals, books and other equipment that can help you get started. Some of these suggest breathing exercises to go with certain poses. If you mind is calm and relaxed then meditation can certainly help you to improve your memory.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Learning to Meditate
Learning to meditate is a bit like riding a bike, once you've learned how to do it, it is a process you'll have access to the whole of your life.
But how should you start learning to meditate?
There are lots of meditation tutorials available on the internet, so these can be a good place to get started as long as they're not complicated with lots of jargon. Most are good and take the time out to explain any terms they are using so that beginners can understand them.
When you are initially learning to meditate it is very important to choose a meditation method that's easy to learn.
One of the best is a breathing meditation, a walking meditation or, if you prefer, a "high tech" meditation like Centerpointe where all you need to do is sit down and play a CD.
Once you've decided on your meditation method, you should try it out for at least a week or so to see whether or not it is right for you. If you are doing well, then keep going with it, but if you don't like it, it is best to try another method instead.
As with everything else in life, not everyone gets on with everything. There's nothing long with changing if you don't like a specific method.
Humans are creatures of habit so you should try to meditate at the same time each day. Set aside a specific time of the day when you are most likely to be able to carry out your meditation practice. Perhaps first thing in the morning, or when you come home after a hard day's work
Learning to Meditate takes time, so if it doesn't seem to be working for you initially, give it some time and you should soon start reaping the benefits.
But how should you start learning to meditate?
There are lots of meditation tutorials available on the internet, so these can be a good place to get started as long as they're not complicated with lots of jargon. Most are good and take the time out to explain any terms they are using so that beginners can understand them.
When you are initially learning to meditate it is very important to choose a meditation method that's easy to learn.
One of the best is a breathing meditation, a walking meditation or, if you prefer, a "high tech" meditation like Centerpointe where all you need to do is sit down and play a CD.
Once you've decided on your meditation method, you should try it out for at least a week or so to see whether or not it is right for you. If you are doing well, then keep going with it, but if you don't like it, it is best to try another method instead.
As with everything else in life, not everyone gets on with everything. There's nothing long with changing if you don't like a specific method.
Humans are creatures of habit so you should try to meditate at the same time each day. Set aside a specific time of the day when you are most likely to be able to carry out your meditation practice. Perhaps first thing in the morning, or when you come home after a hard day's work
Learning to Meditate takes time, so if it doesn't seem to be working for you initially, give it some time and you should soon start reaping the benefits.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
How to Find the Time to Meditate
We always seem to be in a rush nowadays. So how can you find the time to meditate? There are so many other things competing for our time that we always seem to be in a rush. Food and coffee on the go, speaking on the cell phone while doing other things, typing away at the computer whilst on the phone to a work colleague.
So how on earth can we devote even 15 or 20 minutes a day to simply meditating?
Initially it may seem an uphill struggle. But you find a few minutes every day to brush your teeth and a meditation session is just as essential for your overall health.
Maybe getting up a few minutes earlier would work for you? Or, if you're an evening person, the last few minutes before you go to sleep. A lot of people find this to be one of the best times to meditate as it puts them into a calm, relaxed state. Perfect for a good night's sleep.
If you can't devote the time every day to meditation, then consider becoming a weekend meditator. Oftentimes, Saturdays and Sundays are not quite as hectic as the rest of the week. So you may be able to regularly spend time on a meditation session. You'll still get a benefit from these sessions.
There are also times during the day that you can re-work to make the time to meditate.
If you watch the news, skip it! The news will still happen and if something important crops up, someone will tell you about it. This works well for me - I catch up on the news weekly and have yet to suffer withdrawal symptoms from my previous daily dose of news.
If you have a television recorder, use it to skip the adverts. That will free up 15 minutes or more per hour of television you watch.
So how on earth can we devote even 15 or 20 minutes a day to simply meditating?
Initially it may seem an uphill struggle. But you find a few minutes every day to brush your teeth and a meditation session is just as essential for your overall health.
Maybe getting up a few minutes earlier would work for you? Or, if you're an evening person, the last few minutes before you go to sleep. A lot of people find this to be one of the best times to meditate as it puts them into a calm, relaxed state. Perfect for a good night's sleep.
If you can't devote the time every day to meditation, then consider becoming a weekend meditator. Oftentimes, Saturdays and Sundays are not quite as hectic as the rest of the week. So you may be able to regularly spend time on a meditation session. You'll still get a benefit from these sessions.
There are also times during the day that you can re-work to make the time to meditate.
If you watch the news, skip it! The news will still happen and if something important crops up, someone will tell you about it. This works well for me - I catch up on the news weekly and have yet to suffer withdrawal symptoms from my previous daily dose of news.
If you have a television recorder, use it to skip the adverts. That will free up 15 minutes or more per hour of television you watch.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Improve Concentration with Meditation
Today, there are a lot of things that help in keeping us entertained. In the internet alone, there are a multitude of websites that do such that like video sharing sites, gaming sites and other websites which cater to our interests.
While there is nothing wrong with entertaining ourselves, a problem arises with our constant need for distractions. Because of that, it becomes difficult for us to focus on one thing.
We do not need to take extreme measures to help us focus. There are practices which can do the job for us. It includes the practice of meditation.
People take up meditation for different purposes and improving concentration is one of them. There are several methods by which meditation does its job.
One is through breathing exercises. Even an exercise that is as simple as being aware of the times we inhale and exhale can do wonders to our ability to concentrate.
While it may sound easy, it can be quite difficult especially if one has to deal with distractions such as outside noise.
Another method is by reciting a mantra. A mantra is a phrase or a sound that is recited repeatedly. For Catholics, praying the rosary is a form of a mantra.
The repetition becomes the center of the meditation to which the person’s attention becomes focused.
There are other more methods by which meditation can help improve concentration. However, the two mentioned above are the most basic and could help beginners start out with the practice.
While there is nothing wrong with entertaining ourselves, a problem arises with our constant need for distractions. Because of that, it becomes difficult for us to focus on one thing.
We do not need to take extreme measures to help us focus. There are practices which can do the job for us. It includes the practice of meditation.
People take up meditation for different purposes and improving concentration is one of them. There are several methods by which meditation does its job.
One is through breathing exercises. Even an exercise that is as simple as being aware of the times we inhale and exhale can do wonders to our ability to concentrate.
While it may sound easy, it can be quite difficult especially if one has to deal with distractions such as outside noise.
Another method is by reciting a mantra. A mantra is a phrase or a sound that is recited repeatedly. For Catholics, praying the rosary is a form of a mantra.
The repetition becomes the center of the meditation to which the person’s attention becomes focused.
There are other more methods by which meditation can help improve concentration. However, the two mentioned above are the most basic and could help beginners start out with the practice.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Meditation Breathing Techniques
Meditation breathing techniques are an integral part of meditation. Proper breathing is required in many practices of meditation and is therefore an important tool to be possessed by people who wish to perform this activity.
The practice of proper meditation breathing techniques help you to relax while doing the exercise. Proper breathing is achieved by inhaling through the nose, letting the diaphragm (not the chest) expand and exhaling through the mouth.
Doing this slows down your heart rate which leads to a more relaxed mood.
Meditation Breathing Techniques also play a significant role in improving your your concentration. This is done by focusing your mind on the act of taking in air and feeling it pass through the nostrils until the air is finally exhaled through the mouth.
While this may sound easy, it can be quite challenging when done for the first time.
There is also a method for increasing your awareness. Just like the concentration technique mentioned above, it involves focusing your attention on your breathing.
But instead of focusing on the act of inhaling and exhaling air, it is the sensation of breathing where you train your thoughts. The feeling of the air passing through the nose, filling the lungs and expanding the diaphragm is the sensation that a person should look for.
It helps you feel how it is to be truly alive.
Hopefully you now understand how important meditation breathing techniques are. It is no wonder, that mediation and breathing are inseparable activities.
The practice of proper meditation breathing techniques help you to relax while doing the exercise. Proper breathing is achieved by inhaling through the nose, letting the diaphragm (not the chest) expand and exhaling through the mouth.
Doing this slows down your heart rate which leads to a more relaxed mood.
Meditation Breathing Techniques also play a significant role in improving your your concentration. This is done by focusing your mind on the act of taking in air and feeling it pass through the nostrils until the air is finally exhaled through the mouth.
While this may sound easy, it can be quite challenging when done for the first time.
There is also a method for increasing your awareness. Just like the concentration technique mentioned above, it involves focusing your attention on your breathing.
But instead of focusing on the act of inhaling and exhaling air, it is the sensation of breathing where you train your thoughts. The feeling of the air passing through the nose, filling the lungs and expanding the diaphragm is the sensation that a person should look for.
It helps you feel how it is to be truly alive.
Hopefully you now understand how important meditation breathing techniques are. It is no wonder, that mediation and breathing are inseparable activities.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Meditation Techniques for Stress
People encounter stress everyday, some do at work or school, others at home. While they are usually able to cope with stress, sometimes the burden simply becomes too much that people break down because of it. One of the ways to deal with this is to learn meditation techniques for stress.
The Science of Stress
In the General Adaptation Syndrome model designed by Hans Selye, he identifies three stages that people undergo when stressed.
STAGE ONE: During the intial stage, the body goes on a state of alarm at the realization of a threat. In this stage, cortisol is released by the body.
STAGE TWO: The second stage is where the body becomes unable to cope with the strain until its resources are depleted.
STAGE THREE: In the final stage, the body breaks down which include the exhaustion of the immune system. Because of this, the body is unable to fight of sicknesses which then expose the person to
illnesses.
Learning meditation techniques for stress can help you to calm your mind and give you a greater sense of control over things. When you practise regularly, the things that are considered threats (the things which cause stress) become easier to manage.
However, this reduction of stress isn’t the end of the exercise. Since stress can make people prone to illness, reducing stress can help in keeping the person healthy.
If you make meditation part of your daily routine,this can result in improved health and resistance to illnesses, helping to prevent you from becoming stressed in the first place.
So the next time you feel stressed out, try to calm yourself down by practicing meditation. While your problems won’t exactly go away, you at least become mentally prepared to face them.
The Science of Stress
In the General Adaptation Syndrome model designed by Hans Selye, he identifies three stages that people undergo when stressed.
STAGE ONE: During the intial stage, the body goes on a state of alarm at the realization of a threat. In this stage, cortisol is released by the body.
STAGE TWO: The second stage is where the body becomes unable to cope with the strain until its resources are depleted.
STAGE THREE: In the final stage, the body breaks down which include the exhaustion of the immune system. Because of this, the body is unable to fight of sicknesses which then expose the person to
illnesses.
Learning meditation techniques for stress can help you to calm your mind and give you a greater sense of control over things. When you practise regularly, the things that are considered threats (the things which cause stress) become easier to manage.
However, this reduction of stress isn’t the end of the exercise. Since stress can make people prone to illness, reducing stress can help in keeping the person healthy.
If you make meditation part of your daily routine,this can result in improved health and resistance to illnesses, helping to prevent you from becoming stressed in the first place.
So the next time you feel stressed out, try to calm yourself down by practicing meditation. While your problems won’t exactly go away, you at least become mentally prepared to face them.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Meditation History
The practice of meditation has been around for several millennia. Although there are no recorded texts which would point exactly when this practice started, several ancient civilizations became the cradle of today’s meditation practices. In this post we will take a brief look at Meditation History.
India particularly is hailed as the proponent of meditation as an organized practice. Over centuries, many Hindi scholars have written about meditation, from the ways of doing it to its benefits. Some of the well-known Hindi texts include the Vedas and the Yoga Sutras which was written by Patanjali.
But no one has arguably been more influential in the world of meditation than Siddharta Gautama, otherwise known as Buddha. In 500 BC, he achieved enlightenment through the practice of meditation. His influence spread throughout Asia and eventually the whole world.
While the East has has a very long meditation history, the Western world picked the practice up much later. In fact, it was only in the mid-20th century when meditation became a popular practice among Westerners.
Today, more and more meditation centers and organizations crop up in the West. While meditation used to be intertwined with religious practices, a good number of Western meditation centers are stripped off this spiritual aspect. They usually focus now on the health benefits of this practice especially in the fast-paced world of today.
But regardless of the loss of the spiritual side of meditation, it is still widely-recognized for its benefits to people’s mental well-being. It was and it still remains as one of the central aspects of meditation.
India particularly is hailed as the proponent of meditation as an organized practice. Over centuries, many Hindi scholars have written about meditation, from the ways of doing it to its benefits. Some of the well-known Hindi texts include the Vedas and the Yoga Sutras which was written by Patanjali.
But no one has arguably been more influential in the world of meditation than Siddharta Gautama, otherwise known as Buddha. In 500 BC, he achieved enlightenment through the practice of meditation. His influence spread throughout Asia and eventually the whole world.
While the East has has a very long meditation history, the Western world picked the practice up much later. In fact, it was only in the mid-20th century when meditation became a popular practice among Westerners.
Today, more and more meditation centers and organizations crop up in the West. While meditation used to be intertwined with religious practices, a good number of Western meditation centers are stripped off this spiritual aspect. They usually focus now on the health benefits of this practice especially in the fast-paced world of today.
But regardless of the loss of the spiritual side of meditation, it is still widely-recognized for its benefits to people’s mental well-being. It was and it still remains as one of the central aspects of meditation.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Meditation for Pain Relief
If you are suffering from pain, you may want to consider meditation for pain relief. Before you do this, it is always advisable to seek medical advice for pain as pain is the body's way of letting you know that there is something wrong.
Anyone who has heard of the expression about the power of mind over matter will easily understand the benefit of meditation for pain relief.
Here are just a few methods in which meditation can help in alleviating pain:
Concentration techniques: ithese can help in easing your suffering by keeping your mind away from the source of the pain. Usually, a pain is even more magnified because you can't help but focus on it. If your attention is focused elsewhere, the pain becomes more manageable.
Mindfulness meditation: This involves being aware of your present condition and accepting it as such. If a person accepts that he/she is currently in pain, dealing with it would be much easier.
Visualization: This can also be considered as a type of self-hypnosis. It is done by creating an image of the pain and imagining it moving away from the body.
As suggested by these methods, they will not actually take the pain away, but they will make dealing with the pain a lot easier.
This is also the reason why methods like those mentioned should be coupled with the proper medical advice. As mentioned above, consulting your doctor is advised before even trying the meditation for pain relief exercises.
Anyone who has heard of the expression about the power of mind over matter will easily understand the benefit of meditation for pain relief.
Here are just a few methods in which meditation can help in alleviating pain:
Concentration techniques: ithese can help in easing your suffering by keeping your mind away from the source of the pain. Usually, a pain is even more magnified because you can't help but focus on it. If your attention is focused elsewhere, the pain becomes more manageable.
Mindfulness meditation: This involves being aware of your present condition and accepting it as such. If a person accepts that he/she is currently in pain, dealing with it would be much easier.
Visualization: This can also be considered as a type of self-hypnosis. It is done by creating an image of the pain and imagining it moving away from the body.
As suggested by these methods, they will not actually take the pain away, but they will make dealing with the pain a lot easier.
This is also the reason why methods like those mentioned should be coupled with the proper medical advice. As mentioned above, consulting your doctor is advised before even trying the meditation for pain relief exercises.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Meditation & Fear
Most people have a fear or phobia of certain things, be it of heights or speaking in front of people. While most people overcome their fears, some are crippled by it. This therefore prevents them from doing things that they would otherwise find enjoyable.
Meditation is one way for people trapped by their fears to finally get out of their shell and start living the full life.
A definition of fear is that it is the anxiety caused by a perceived danger. It is the state of mind by which a person foresees something wrong happening either to him/her or the people around him/her.
Meditation helps in overcoming a person’s fear by altering his/her state of mind. There are several ways by which this practice can help people achieve this.
One such way is called mindfulness meditation. By training the person to live in the now, his/her attention is veered away from the future where that person perceives the danger. Besides, it is only a mere perception and such event may or may not actually happen.
Visualization can also help a person cope with fear by making the person imagine what he/she will do in case the perceived danger comes. By being mentally prepared for such an event, the person will be able to deal with the future situation better.
Again, fear is a mere state of mind. Facing it, therefore, needs some alteration in the person’s perception of what may or may not happen. It can be achieved by the practice of meditation.
Meditation is one way for people trapped by their fears to finally get out of their shell and start living the full life.
A definition of fear is that it is the anxiety caused by a perceived danger. It is the state of mind by which a person foresees something wrong happening either to him/her or the people around him/her.
Meditation helps in overcoming a person’s fear by altering his/her state of mind. There are several ways by which this practice can help people achieve this.
One such way is called mindfulness meditation. By training the person to live in the now, his/her attention is veered away from the future where that person perceives the danger. Besides, it is only a mere perception and such event may or may not actually happen.
Visualization can also help a person cope with fear by making the person imagine what he/she will do in case the perceived danger comes. By being mentally prepared for such an event, the person will be able to deal with the future situation better.
Again, fear is a mere state of mind. Facing it, therefore, needs some alteration in the person’s perception of what may or may not happen. It can be achieved by the practice of meditation.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
4 Benefits of Meditating
The benefits of meditation have been known to humans ever since it was first practiced several millennia ago.
Here are 4 Benefits of Meditating.
1. Reduces Stress
Because meditation helps calm the mind and relax the individual, it helps a lot in reducing stress. This is usually achieved through the breathing exercises that form a part of the practice.
Stress reduction is one of the main reasons why people take up meditation.
2. Helps to Cure or Improve Illnesses
There are already documented cases wherein meditation was shown to have helped in curing an illness. A landmark study is the one done in 1976 by Australian psychiatrist Ainslie Meares which was published in the Medical Journal of Australia.
The study documented how a patient’s cancer regressed after sessions of intensive meditation. Meditation is also known to lower blood pressure levels, which is beneficial to patients who are at risk of hypertension and other heart-related conditions.
3. Improves concentration
One practice in meditation involves focusing on a particular object such as a candlelight, or reciting a mantra. Doing activities like these have been shown to improve a person’s concentration.
4. Acceptance of events
Another aspect of meditation is the ability to take things as they are. This helps a lot in reducing a person’s frustrations over things that he/she cannot control.
People who will surely benefit from this include those who are undergoing anger management.
Here are 4 Benefits of Meditating.
1. Reduces Stress
Because meditation helps calm the mind and relax the individual, it helps a lot in reducing stress. This is usually achieved through the breathing exercises that form a part of the practice.
Stress reduction is one of the main reasons why people take up meditation.
2. Helps to Cure or Improve Illnesses
There are already documented cases wherein meditation was shown to have helped in curing an illness. A landmark study is the one done in 1976 by Australian psychiatrist Ainslie Meares which was published in the Medical Journal of Australia.
The study documented how a patient’s cancer regressed after sessions of intensive meditation. Meditation is also known to lower blood pressure levels, which is beneficial to patients who are at risk of hypertension and other heart-related conditions.
3. Improves concentration
One practice in meditation involves focusing on a particular object such as a candlelight, or reciting a mantra. Doing activities like these have been shown to improve a person’s concentration.
4. Acceptance of events
Another aspect of meditation is the ability to take things as they are. This helps a lot in reducing a person’s frustrations over things that he/she cannot control.
People who will surely benefit from this include those who are undergoing anger management.
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