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.

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.