When most people think of meditation they think of praying or religion. Mediation in fact is a form of alternative medicine that teaches you to focus your attention. There are many different types of meditation, and most started from Eastern religious or spiritual traditions. They have been used by numerous cultures throughout the world for thousands of years.
Some forms instruct you (the practitioner) to be mindful of feelings, thoughts and sensations. In addition you are to be extremely non judgmental. This is the only way you achieve a state of physical relaxation and balance.
Regardless of the type of meditation, most have the following four things in common:
- Quite Location. You want to have limited distractions, in a quiet place.
- Comfortable posture. Each type if meditation is different, but you can be sitting, laying down, standing, etc.
- Focus of attention. You may focus on an object, breathing, or a mantra. Regardless you want all your attention on that thing.
- An Open Attitude. You need to let distractions go. It is an art and practice to be able to bring attention back to the focus, and ignore wandering thoughts.
"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves." ~ Buddha
