| We mentioned the benefits of meditation in the | | | | with. Build a routine around those particular |
| article: Finding Clarity & Inner Stillness. | | | | mediations. |
| If meditation is new to you, this article suggests | | | | 5. Local Meditation Groups. I found it helpful, especially |
| several ways how you can start today. These | | | | when starting out to find a group of people who |
| suggestions are all based on my personal experience | | | | regularly meditate together. It helps to keep the |
| testing out various techniques over the years. I have | | | | energy and momentum going for your own practices, |
| personally found these to be helpful and hope that | | | | but also, I've found the energy field to be more |
| they can add value to your wellbeing. | | | | intense when I am sharing the experience with |
| 1. Zazen or what swamiji calls "Just Sit". From Zen | | | | others people, both friends and strangers. It's always |
| techniques and also used in transcendental meditation. | | | | so calming to sit together with a group of peaceful |
| This is the simplest technique of meditation: | | | | people. I practice with a group on Sunday mornings in |
| | | | Mercer Island, 2-3 times a month. For me, leaving the |
| 1. Find a comfortable place. Sit with your back | | | | weekly satsang feels like leaving a day at the spa. I |
| straight. It's important that you are not lying down or | | | | feel refreshed and centered. Here are some ideas to |
| slouching as you might fall sleep. Make sure you won't | | | | find a group near you: |
| be disturbed by closing the door and turning off or | | | | |
| placing the phone in silent mode. | | | | 1. Zen meditation group - They usually have group |
| 2. Let your hands rest naturally and comfortably in | | | | zazen sessions several times a week with sessions |
| your lap, or on top of each other. | | | | between 30-60 minutes long. The hours for these (in |
| 3. Close your eyes. | | | | my area) tend to be quite early in the morning. |
| 4. Start breathing deeply and fully, eventually to a | | | | 2. Buddhist temples. Try doing a google search for a |
| natural breathing rhythm. | | | | Buddhist temple in your local area. They typically have |
| 5. Focus on your breath and nothing else. | | | | group meditation sessions several times a day. Lots |
| 6. When a thought comes, acknowledge the thought, | | | | of options in terms of time slot. The techniques may |
| let it pass, and go back to focusing on your breath. | | | | vary at different temples, but the underlying purpose |
| 2. "Being with Sound", An alternative technique to the | | | | is the same. In Seattle, I really liked Sakya |
| above: | | | | Monastery, a Tibetan monastery. |
| | | | 3. Life Bliss Foundation weekly Satsangs. Typically |
| 1. Find really calming music, either light classical or | | | | gathering starts with a video on life issues and |
| nature music. I recommend Stan Richardson's | | | | consciousness, ending with Nithya Dhyan. |
| Shakuhachi Meditation Music (Click here for digital mp3 | | | | 4. Eckhart Tolle Silent Groups - Typical format consist |
| purchases). | | | | of silent meditation for 10-15 minutes at the start and |
| 2. Do A-C from above. | | | | end of a meet-up. Including a 30-60 minute video in |
| 3. Focus on the sound of music and nothing else. Put | | | | between. You can find a list of contacts for your city |
| all your attention on the sound. | | | | from or check if there's a local meetup in your area. |
| 4. When a thought comes, acknowledge it, let it | | | | 5. Groups - is pretty cool for finding local interest |
| pass, and go back to focusing on the sound. | | | | groups with in-person gatherings. Try doing a search |
| 3. "Nithya Dhyan". This is a beautiful 35 minute guided | | | | for the word "meditation" in your area code. |
| meditation designed by Nithyananda. After practicing | | | | For the wellbeing of your soul, take five minutes to |
| meditation for 10 years, this is the one I follow | | | | be still, be quiet and let your mind rest. Slowly move |
| regularly. It consists of five-part meditation taking | | | | up to ten minutes and higher. Create a habit by |
| seven minutes each. Each step is designed to help | | | | regularly meditating over several weeks and notice |
| you go deeper and calm the noise in your mind. | | | | the effect on your life. Cheers to your wellbeing! |
| Techniques for each step originate from Tibetan | | | | * For First time sitters: i know it can be challenging to |
| Buddhist, ancient Christianity, Vedanta, Zen Buddhism, | | | | sit and wait without doing anything at the beginning, |
| and Sufism. You can order the CD for the guided | | | | but keep going, I promise you will notice the |
| meditation here ($10). | | | | difference. I am very interested in how you feel |
| 4. Guided Meditations by Deepak Chopra. This is a | | | | during and after your first try. Please share your |
| great guided meditation CD for beginners. Techniques | | | | experiences with me. I'd love to hear them. |
| on gratitude and forgiveness are very enlightening. If | | | | Tina is passionate about Personal Development and |
| you are serious about meditating or have | | | | Spiritual Growth. She runs multiple businesses and has |
| experiences with other techniques, these mediations | | | | learned how to do so without any Stress. Visit her |
| may not feel as effective for you. Give yourself an | | | | website at Think Simple. Be Decisive for her secrets |
| hour or two to go through this CD the first time, to | | | | to Productivity, Motivation and Happiness. |
| identify which of the meditations you connect most | | | | |