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Meditations can be extremely important for your well-being, especially in a world full of constant "chatter" and "hustle".

I began using meditation practices, as a therapist working with children and adults damaged by traumatic events in their lives 20 years ago. The benefits were obvious for each person, after only a few weeks. They became more focused and calm when thinking, talking and dealing with problems in their lives.

Understanding that meditation is not just an Eastern Art of Philosophy, nor is it just a New Age device of manipulation for the disenchanted seeking spiritual meaning to their life, is important. All religions have practices of Meditation within their history and theology. The great Christian Mystics are popular reading these days not only in seminaries, but are seen in abundance in bookstores across the world.

The Hebrew word "haga"(to sigh)is associated with meditation practices and appears be similar to the Buddhist "Ohmmm". The Chants of Tibetan Monks when meditating resemble Native American Chants used when seeking Vision Quests. Through-out history humanity has been searching for moments of "quiet" reflection - concentration -contemplation - in order to find awareness of the holy other and attain peace. There was a song in the 1960's "slow down you move to fast....", you may remember the rest of the verse, it seems to describe life today, better than in the 60's. We all seek ways and means to "meditatio" (focus thoughts) and also find "contemplatio" (quiet awareness).

Simple paths to meditation that aany one can follow include:

1. Reading a scripture then reflecting about the passage and praying about the passage; can be attached to a positive affirmation that can be repeated daily or weekly.

2. A walking meditation is a wonderful practice. So select a nature trail, park, lake shore trail. Then go and spend 20 minutes walking the area focusing on only what you see on the trail or shoreline. Stop often and listen to all the sounds you hear in your nature place. Choose one sound to focus on and finds its source. You may also find a meditation labyrinth walk weekly or monthly to be helpful.

3. Select a CD of nature sounds and choose an early morning hour (or another time that works for you to be alone) sit comfortably,quietly and listen to the music; focusing on a word for the day. Perhaps the focus thought might be a color: using red for an example, concentrate on seeing through your eyes all the red around you, then close your eyes and

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