Meditation

Meditation is a universal practice in the East and is known by other names in the West: Contemplation, Mindfulness, Quiet Time. The benefits of meditation include improving the immune system, lowering stress levels, and increasing good health. If you haven’t tried meditation, now is the time to get started as part of your daily spiritual practice. You will be amazed at the benefits you will receive, and it is easy to do.

Two 20-minute sessions a day are recommended, morning and evening. However, any time spent in meditation is beneficial. It is best to meditate sitting in a chair that will hold you comfortably straight. Put your chair in a quiet and peaceful place. Turn off your cell phone. Light a candle if you choose. Close your eyes and begin breathing deeply and easily. Let your body set the rhythm. When you are calm and at peace, begin your chosen meditation practice for the day or use one of the following.

Basic Meditation Practice: Follow the breath. As you become quiet and relaxed, let your mind clear, and your emotions calm. Become mindful only of your breath. Take deep regular breaths letting your body set the rhythm. Begin counting your outbreath from 1-10. Then start over again. If you lose count because your mind wanders, simply bring your attention back to your breath and start the count over. Gently use your five senses to experience the peace that your breath brings. When your meditation time is over, give thanks to your Inner Self for helping you gain peace and to your Higher Self for inspiration and healing.

New April Meditation (Melding into the Heart of Nature): Sit quietly in Nature. Go to your Center of Peace by relaxing and taking a few deep breaths as you calm yourself into a meditative state. Feel yourself melding with your surroundings as you become One with All That Is, here in this place. This is a sacred moment of Oneness. Stay in this Oneness for as long as you want, then take a deep refreshing breath and return to the present moment. Remember this feeling of Oneness with Nature all through your day.

New May Meditation (Reaching into the Heart of Love): Your Heart is not your physical organ. It is much larger than that. This is a meditation to expand your perception of your Heart. Go to your meditation place. When you are relaxed and beathing easily, take your consciousness to your physical heart. Say a prayer of gratitude for all it does for you. This prayer moves your heart to expand to your greater Heart. Envision a beautiful pink Light emanating from your heart and expanding outward. As this Light expands, envision all those you Love being surrounded with your Heart Light. Now expand your heart even further until it surrounds the entire world. Know that this simple act of sharing your Heart Light makes a difference. Take another deep breath and return here now. Be grateful for your own Heart Light.

New June Meditation (Living a Spiritual Life): Go to your Center of Peace. Feel your spiritual self glowing with Light. This is the real you – a Being of Light. Expand this Light for as far as you can. Breathe in the Light and breathe out Love. Breathe in Light and breathe out joy. Breathe in Light and breathe out peace. Anchor this Light into your Mind and this feeling into your Heart. When you are ready, return to the present and know you will remember your Light.