Purpose for Meditation

What is the goal of meditation? The goal of meditation is not
to end or remove the stimulation. It is more a training of the
mind to direct focus and concentration to one element. This
single element may be a single sound, a single word or thought,
a single image or even the person's own breathing. Calmness and
peace are brought into the mind's focus, and thereby replace
feelings of worry, stress and depression. Negative thoughts can
be replaced with positive ones in this manner.

Benefits of Meditation:

There are numerous physical and psychological benefits to
meditation. As the body rests, the heart rate lowers, as does
the metabolic rate and stress is dramatically decreased. Many
negative physical and physiological reactions related to stress
are decreased or eradicated altogether. Concentration is
increased and memory is improved. Additionally, anxiety,
depression, moodiness and irritability are decreased while
feelings of vitality, happiness, rejuvenation and emotional
stability are improved.

There are many forms of meditation and, although it has its
origins in the Eastern cultures, the West is quickly learning
the benefits of this relaxing practice. Most people think of
meditation as some guy sitting on a pillow, legs crossed, eyes
closed, humming. However, meditation can be done while sitting
on a chair, lying down, sitting at your desk, or just about
anywhere.

While the many different forms of meditation are as diverse as
their styles, there is one thing that they have in common: they
focus on calming and quietening a chaotic, busy mind.

What is the goal of meditation? The goal of meditation is not
to end or remove the stimulation. It is more a training of the
mind to direct focus and concentration to one element. This
single element may be a single sound, a single word or thought,
a single image or even the person's own breathing. This is
designed to bring calm and peace to the mind by making it focus
so that worry, stress and depression are pushed aside. Negative
thoughts can be replaced with positive ones in this manner.

All of the meditation methods can be grouped into one of two
different categories, or styles. The first of these styles of
meditation is concentrative. This means that the attention is
focused on the breath, an image or a sound such as a mantra to
still the mind and heighten awareness and clarity. Certain
types of music can do this.

Concentrative meditation is the most popular style of
meditation. The person sits quietly and focuses their attention
on the breath, known as "conscious breathing." This type of
meditation is very good for relieving anxiety, stress and
distraction because it causes the person to focus and relax.

To perform conscious breathing, sit in a chair or on a pillow
on the floor. Close your eyes and breath in deeply through your
mouth while saying to yourself, "I am breathing in." When you
exhale through your nose (or mouth), say to yourself, "I am
breathing out." Picture positivity being breathed in with each
breath you take and negativity being expelled each time you
exhale. Absorb yourself in the act of breathing in and out,
think of nothing else.

The other type of meditation is mindfulness meditation. This
type of meditation involves raising your awareness of all the
sensations, feelings, images, thoughts, sounds and smells that
you encounter each day. However, you do not dwell on them or
become involved in thinking about them. The person simply sits
quietly and observes the activity of the mind without being
drawn into reacting to it or becoming involved in negative
reactions to it such as depression or worry. Through this
exploration, the person gains a clearer, calmer state of mind
that is non-reactive as opposed to bogged down in worry and
depression.

About The Author: Copyright 2007 - http://www.ifoundhealth.com
Adam Hunt is a wellness consultant who helps people to get
discounted or free glyconutrients supplements, to boost their
immune system and to have optimal health from the inside out.

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