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 October Meditation (Sharing Your Good with Yourselves): Find your serene place and go to your Center of Peace. Breathe in Light and breathe out Love. Continue doing this Breath of Light exercise until you feel One with All Life. From this place of appreciation ask your Inner Heart Self to tell you the Good that it is grateful for. Don’t make judgements, just listen to your Inner Voice and cherish each Good that you feel. Say thank you to your Inner Heart Self for sharing with you. The next day ask your Mind Self to tell you the Good it is grateful for and say thank you for sharing. The third day, ask your Higher Self for all the Good it is grateful for and say thank you for sharing. End your meditation in gratitude.

New November Meditation (Being Grateful for Your Body): Go to your meditative place. Breathe in Light and breath out Love. This is an appreciation meditation. Beginning with your right little toe, express gratitude for all it does for you. Express gratitude for all your other toes in turn. Be grateful for the soles of your feet, your toenails, the spaces between your toes, the sides of your feet, your heels, your ankles. Go through every part of your body expressing gratitude for each part. Be very detailed with your gratitude. You can choose one area of your body to appreciate in different meditations. Bless your body and end your meditation in gratitude.

New December Meditation (Turning On the Light): Go to your Center of Peace. Feel your spiritual self glowing with a soft radiance of peace. During this entire meditation, continue to breathe in Light and breathe out Peace. As you breathe out Peace, envision it flowing out to all the dark places in the world that need Peace now. I am the Peace. You are the Peace. We are the Peace. End your meditation when you are ready. Practice this meditation every day this month and practice being the Peace in every thought, word, and deed.