The Circle of Light: Self-Healing - Meditation

Blessings, sweet Children of the Light!

Today, we're continuing our conversation about self-healing by delving into the realm of meditation. There are so many different kinds and ways to still your mind. But how do you know what's right for you? Let's dig in and find out! 

"Meditation is an approach to training the mind, similar to the way that fitness is an approach to train the body."

CONCENTRATION MEDITATION

This method of meditation is exactly as it sounds: it is the purposeful and intention focus on a single point. This concentration point can be the breath, repeating a word or mantra, staring at a candle flame, or counting rosary beads.

For this method to be successful, you'd simply refocus your attention on the chosen object when you notice your mind has begun to wander. The trick is to simply let the thought go and not engage it. 

This technique has been proven to improve your ability to concentrate.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION

This method is similar to the Concentration Method. However, instead of letting thoughts go, we observe each thought as they flow through our mind.

Through mindfulness meditation, one becomes more aware of the tendency to judge experiences as good or bad, instead of allowing them to simply BE. 

Both Mindfulness and Concentration methods are often combined.

WALKING MEDITATION

Also referred to as Mindful Walking, it is simply the process of walking while being aware of each and every step and each and every breath. 






By placing our footsteps one after the other, slowly and in silence, we can create joy with each step.

It is best to do this with bare feet, whenever possible. The reasoning being the sole is a sensory organ through which we can perceive the ground while standing and walking. In other words, the feet can directly assimilate and ingest nutrients and Energy from the grass/ground. Thus, the act of walking barefoot on the Earth is said to have many grounding effects as well.

TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION

This is one of the most common techniques used today. It allows for your mind to settle inward beyond thought to experience the SOURCE of thought - PURE awareness. 

Transcendental meditation is traditionally done using a mantra while seated comfortably and is typically practiced for 15-20 minutes, twice per day.

In this state of restful alertness, your brain functions with significantly greater coherence, and your body gains deep rest.

TRADITIONAL HINDU / BUDDHIST / HATHA YOGA MEDITATION

This is the meditation that is favoured by the yogis. For this one - unlike the others - position is vital. To attain the proper posture, one must sit in the full/half lotus position with your spine straight, and your head, neck, and shoulders all in alignment. The reason for this is that, when the body is realigned using this posture, it directly affects one's state of mind.

Also unlike the other methods, sitting or standing is necessary. This is because lying down tends to make us drowsy as it's the same position we use for sleep.

The right attitude for this meditation is to be poised: alert yet also relaxed. By doing this type of meditation, relaxation and alertness are in perfect balance. 

The object of attention can be a mantra, the breath, but is often a Sanskrit word or syllable like "OM".

GUIDED MEDITATION

Again, it's named for the way it's performed. This is when the object of attention is someone else's voice and they lead you through a series of visualization techniques.

This technique can be quite useful at teaching the mind to be still for longer periods of time.

Some examples of guided meditations can be found below:

As always, this isn't every single meditation technique. You may also want to learn about Tai Chi, Chi Kung / Chi Gong, Singing Meditation, Dancing Meditation, and Yoga Meditation.

Please JOIN us next week as we continue our journey inwards! 



Much Love and Light!

~Andrea Gustafson


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