Sameer Staff asked 6 years ago
Some say close eyes and say OM while others say chant Ram Ram, some say focus on breathing, others say watch your mind. I am confused. Can anyone answer my question?
raman Staff answered 3 weeks ago
Meditation is a practice where an individual uses techniques like mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear, emotionally calm, and stable state.
Here are the key aspects of meditation:
Types of Meditation:
Mindfulness Meditation: Involves being fully present in the moment, focusing on your thoughts and sensations without judgment.
Guided Meditation: A teacher or guide leads you through the process, often focusing on relaxation or visualization.
Transcendental Meditation: Involves silently repeating a mantra for 20 minutes twice daily to reach a deep state of relaxation and awareness.
Loving-kindness Meditation (Metta): Focuses on cultivating an attitude of love and compassion toward oneself and others.
Vipassana Meditation: Aims for self-transformation through self-observation, developing a deep connection between mind and body.
Benefits:
Reduces Stress: Helps in lowering cortisol levels and promoting relaxation.
Improves Focus and Attention: Enhances cognitive skills and attention span.
Emotional Health: Leads to greater emotional awareness, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Promotes Self-Awareness: Helps in understanding oneself better, fostering personal growth.
Increases Patience and Tolerance: Improves how we deal with challenging situations.
Getting Started:
Find a Quiet Space: Choose a peaceful area where you won’t be disturbed.
Start Small: Begin with short 5-10 minute sessions, gradually increasing the duration as you get comfortable.
Focus on Breathing: Pay attention to your breath, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.
Be Consistent: Regular practice is essential for long-term benefits.
Use Meditation Apps: Apps like Headspace or Calm can guide you through the initial stages.
Meditation can be tailored to fit your lifestyle, and the benefits compound over time with regular practice.
Subhash Staff answered 6 years ago
Meditation entails observing the mind with impartiality, devoid of judgment, and accepting things, sensations, feelings, and situations as they are, allowing oneself to relax in the present moment. The stillness of the body aids in calming the mind, thus finding a serene, quiet space and closing one’s eyes can facilitate this process. Being surrounded by natural settings can further enhance relaxation and offer deeper insights into the workings of the mind.
As for the practice of meditation, timing is crucial. The optimal time is early morning, between 4 to 6, when the mind is at ease and the body rejuvenated from sleep. Sitting on a mat on the floor with a straight and erect spine, keeping the head aligned, and closing the eyes, one begins by observing the breath. Witnessing the inhalation and exhalation, being mindful of body sensations, and focusing attention on each body part, both externally and internally, while maintaining equanimity toward change.
The objective of meditation is to cultivate continuous awareness of internal processes—body, mind, energy, thoughts, feelings, and sensations—observing them without interference. Through this practice, one develops a deeper understanding of life, death, the universe, and our true purpose.
Nidhi Staff answered 6 years ago
Meditation can indeed be described as a set of techniques aimed at fostering a heightened state of awareness and focused attention. It involves using methods like mindfulness or concentrating on a specific object, thought, or activity to train attention, enhance awareness, and attain mental clarity and emotional stability.
Incorporating elements of concentration and relaxation, meditation is often complemented by yoga practices. Just as there are various styles of yoga, there are also diverse approaches to meditation.
Initially, the focus in meditation is on finding a focal point or method to minimize distractions. Some common methods of focusing include:
- Sound: Repeating a mantra, phrase, or sound.
- Visualizing: Creating mental images, such as picturing a lotus flower or visualizing energy points in the body (chakras).
- Gazing: Fixing the gaze on a physical object, like candles, flowers, or pictures.
- Breathing: Observing the breath and its sensations as it flows in and out of the body.
The benefits of meditation are supported by research, which indicates physiological and psychological changes during meditation. For instance, studies have found that individuals practicing meditation tend to perspire less, have a slower respiration rate, and exhibit lower blood pressure compared to normal conditions.