| Most of us who have never meditated or who have | | | | method of meditation. Their system is more data |
| always practiced it in a very prescribed manner can | | | | oriented than metaphysical and consistently delivers |
| learn a great deal by moving beyond our rigid | | | | to those who follow its guidelines. |
| precepts. Beyond the spiritual, there is mounting | | | | Some groups are deeply religious in their presentation |
| documentation that regular meditation can reduce | | | | of meditation. The Catholic Church offers the age-old, |
| stress and support longevity. It's no longer | | | | Centering Prayer, Buddhists have many differing |
| uncommon for health care professionals like | | | | applications and the Self Realization Fellowship offers |
| physicians, psychologists, and massage therapists to | | | | a unique mix of Christianity and Hinduism in their |
| recommend various types of meditation to their | | | | Lessons that lead to Kriya Yoga meditation. |
| patients and clients. | | | | The web offers a new student a large selection of |
| Courses are available at seminars, retreats, colleges | | | | options to consider. Many include free instruction and |
| and on-line suggesting that we all need to find a way | | | | also have local groups for continued support. An |
| to expand our inner connection while moving outward | | | | overwhelming number of books on the subject are |
| into the unknown. We live in a stress-producing | | | | available, also, that can help the neophyte compare |
| society and are often much less physically active | | | | meditation methods before establishing affiliation. |
| than our ancestors. Most of us need to find a way | | | | To eclectic students, there is the possibility of |
| to unwind. | | | | learning several different methods of meditation and |
| One group, Vipassana, offers free retreats that last | | | | even combining them as they see fit. It can be a |
| ten days and require ten hours a day of meditation. | | | | very personal process. |
| If you know anyone who does that type of inner | | | | Not only can meditation be directed toward individual |
| work you have probably noticed that they look very | | | | growth and expansion, there are methods, like the |
| different "after: than they did "before"...and keep | | | | Buddhist Tonglen practice, that take on the job of |
| going back. That says something for such a rigorous | | | | working toward the healing and well-being of others. |
| ritual. | | | | Monasteries and convents, both Christian and |
| Transcendental Meditation (TM) can be researched | | | | non-Christian, have meditated for world peace and |
| on the web and studied to great advantage | | | | individualized emancipation for centuries. |
| according to its proponents. Many have been at it for | | | | The opportunity for all of us to take a closer look at |
| decades and wouldn't want to have a day go by | | | | mediation and how it might enhance our lives and |
| without "connecting" in a deep and powerful way. | | | | improve our health is definitely out there. Start small, |
| HeartMath has carefully documented statistics about | | | | shop around, and talk it up. What you come up with |
| what can be done to regulate heart rate, blood | | | | could radically change your life. |
| pressure and even body temperature through their | | | | |