The Benefits of Meditation

Meditation is the practice of emptying the mind of conscious thoughts and slowing down the brain waves pattern. There are several types namely transcendental, zen, mindfulness and guided.

It provides an experience of calm and inner silence. The easiest form is watching or paying attention to your breath.

When you meditate, the immediate benefit is that you put your mind at ease and remove the stresses that affect your ability to think, to become alert and to relax your body. Long term practice of relaxation and contemplation reduces the susceptibility to illness and ailments and therefore improves your overall health.

You may experience a little discomfort from your first few attempts to sit quietly and meditate. The key is not to focus so much on your sitting position or whether you are doing it right. For a start, learn to focus on the correct way of breathing. Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth. Breathe deeply from your abdomen and exhale slowly. Breathing deeply and correctly provides sufficient oxygen to your body and improves blood circulation.

Here's how to meditate for beginners.

1. Sit comfortably on a chair with your feet flat on the floor.
   
   
   
2. Loosen your belt or anything that is tight around your waist.
   
   
   
3. Make sure your back is straightened.
   
   
   
4. Place your palms on your laps
   
   
   
5. Breathe deeply through your nose and from your abdomen.
   
   
   
6. Exhale slowly and close your eyes.
   
   
   
7. Repeat the breathing exercise three times.

In order to stay focused and prevent your mind from wandering, count to ten with each breath that you take and do the same when you exhale. Once you make this exercise a habit, you may stop counting your breath. You just allow yourself to feel the natural flow of your breath. This simple relaxation exercise will refresh your day and keep you going. You will feel more alert and improves your mental faculty.

If you are looking for a guided meditation and the techniqes, try the Silva Method. This program will show you how to slow down your brain waves. When you are in this state, you can learn how to break habits, heal yourself and use your creative imagination.

Other benefits of long term practice are:

1. Lowers blood pressure.
   
   
   
2. Reduces acid secretions that create ulcers.
   
   
   
3. Decreases metabolic rate.
   
   
   
4. Decreases biological aging.

The best time is spending 10 minutes in the morning when you mind is fresh. You can do this simple technique each morning before you start your day.

1. Lie down in bed.
   
   
   
2. Close your eyes.
   
   
   
3. Allow your breathing to flow naturally.
   
   
   
4. Count slowly backwards from one hundred to one. Keep your mind on it.
   
   
   
5. Then come out from the state by counting from five to one.

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