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Beat Stress With Meditation: Meditation

by Alice Muir

Meditation may have developed when early humans stared for long periods of time into the flickering flames of their fires, in a dark cave, and fell into a state of relaxation. Although meditation often has spiritual or religious associations, this is not essential.

Meditation uses simple procedures, which can produce deep relaxation, and a very restful state of mind. It’s recommended that 15–20 minutes is spent meditating every day, sitting comfortably, in quiet surroundings. No special clothing or position is needed. Any relaxing music, words, pictures or sounds can be used to set a tranquil mood, and you simply allow yourself to stay in the ‘here and now’ and gradually let yourself feel quieter, more centred, peaceful and grounded, by concentrating entirely on a word, a sound, a picture or image, or other point of focus. If your attention wanders, you just notice it quietly, and then gently return to the point of focus.

What does it feel like? The sort of way you might feel if you were out in the countryside on a sunny day, or out in the hills, or sitting on a quiet beach watching the waves slowly lapping in and out. Practice helps to develop your meditation skill, and you will gradually reap more and more of its considerable benefits.
 



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