Meditation Month

I believe any time is a great time for meditation. May is Meditation month, that is right, a whole month dedicated to the practice of quieting the mind. A time for peaceful reflection, stillness of the mind, introspective soul searching. Meditation is done in a multitude of ways, anything from sitting still while focusing you breath to eating slowly and deliberately as well as taking a peaceful walk in nature. Feel free to any and all methods.

Most of us are stressed on a daily basis at work, home, due to health, finances, other people or just whatever annoying things that you allow to bother you. The more we give attention to a problem or issue, the more it impacts you to the level of raising your blood pressure. And there in lies the stress. Life, itself, can cause you to lose your mind. If we are not careful, we can really cause pain to our bodies that can be life threatening at worst.

Meditation is a foreign concept for many, so because we don't know how to begin, we never start.

Let me share some simple techniques to get you started if you have never practiced meditation. I know you have the image of sitting in Indian-style, with your eyes closed, saying something that you have no idea of what it means. Let's start in your comfortable, straight back chair, rest your hands on your lap, close your eyes and simply breathe. Then begin to slow your breathing by counting to the count of 4 as you inhale through your nose, take the breaths into your belly and feel your belly extend, hold it for the count of eight, then exhale to the count of 7, while the belly lowers inward. Focus on your breathing, yes, your mind will wander, thoughts will come and go, just do not give any attention to the thought, allow the thought to pass right through. Start with 5 minutes to begin with and work your way up from there, the more you practice the longer you will be able to lengthen your time of meditation.

Keep up the practice and you will get Calm.