by M. L. Kiser

Created on: March 08, 2010   Last Updated: March 10, 2010

There are so many mental, physical and spiritual benefits to engaging in the meditative process.  Some people think meditation is strictly related to Yoga or Tai Chi, but while it is a part of these practices, it is also a way of altering your consciousness by slowing down your brain and going into the “Alpha” state, a state of decreased activity that leaves you with a sense of relaxation and peacefulness.  It is not necessarily related to any religion, although many religions engage in meditative practice in order to enhance their spirituality and faith. 

Meditation allows you to calm the mind and body and it can aid with a great deal of physiological and spiritual healing.  It clears the mind and brings focus and clarity to your daily life which is one of the many reasons why it is a practice that so many people, worldwide, add to their daily routine.  Whether you need to study for exams, have better focus at work or school or just want to relieve stress, meditation can help you to accomplish these tasks.

While people often confuse meditation with visualization, there is a difference.  Often, visualization encompasses a different type of breathing, relaxation and focus while there are several more stages to meditation, including trance, at deeper levels.  We are not yet aiming for a trance state and trance meditation should not be done alone; you should have someone around to help you exit the trance state safely.  Trance states can have some bad effects on a person's physiology.  I once knew a man who got horrendous migraines whenever he was startled from his trance state.

You don't need a fancy or expensive cushion unless it is easier for you to be elevated a bit from the floor. You can use a nice soft carpet, folded blanket, towel or even a straw mat.  Here, here we will focus on a simple, basic meditation to get you going and bring more mental clarity.

To begin, you can either sit in the traditional lotus position, cross-legged or in a chair. The most important thing is that you are comfortable and have good posture. Keep your spine and head aligned with your pelvis tipped a tiny bit forward.  Make sure that your clothes are not uncomfortable or too tight and you should do this without shoes.

Face forward and close your eyes. Make sure that you will not be disturbed by distracting noises like a ringing phone, doorbell. If you live in a noisy city, you can turn on a blank cassette

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