| Why meditate? You may already understand that it is | | | | Along with that awareness that develops when you |
| very relaxing. In fact, try the simple meditation in this | | | | regularly meditate, you start to see that many of the |
| article and you'll feel more relaxed in just a few | | | | ways you approach situations are counter-productive |
| minutes. But there are other good reasons to meditate | | | | to your true values. For example, in watching your own |
| as well. Here are three of them. | | | | thoughts while you sit quietly, you see that rushing so |
| Stress Reduction | | | | you can eventually have everything done and so relax |
| The relaxation effect of meditation is not just a | | | | is actually not the cure for stress, but a cause of it. |
| temporary thing. Research has shown repeatedly that | | | | Seeing things like this makes it possible to let go of old |
| those who meditate regularly have a reduced level of | | | | habits and approach life from a fresh perspective, |
| stress throughout their day. Given that stress has been | | | | more "in tune" with what is actually happening in the |
| implicated as a contributing cause to over half of | | | | moment. |
| modern illnesses, this isn't a small matter. The bottom | | | | Contrary to what many think, this learning to "live in the |
| line is that it is good for your health. | | | | now" does not preclude planning for the future. In fact, |
| But stress reduction isn't just about health. It is also | | | | much of what prevents a better future can only be |
| about quality of life and the quality of your decision | | | | dealt with effectively if we stop and see what is going |
| making. The quality of life issue speaks for itself - who | | | | on in our own minds in a given moment. Our own |
| enjoys a life of stress? But the effect on your thinking | | | | thoughts mislead us and promise us all sorts of things if |
| is often overlooked. | | | | we just keep following their advice. For example, they |
| When stressed out we tend to react according to the | | | | tell us we need to worry so we will do what is |
| patterns that have been set in us over time. WE are | | | | necessary to prevent future worry. This is nonsense, |
| not very open to new or creative solutions. Meditation | | | | of course, and we need to be here now to see that |
| helps us here tremendously. When are you more likely | | | | and correct it. |
| to make a good decision - when you are red-faced | | | | A Quick And Easy Meditation |
| with stressful feelings or calmly and peacefully | | | | This is almost as easy as it gets (okay, brainwave |
| addressing an issue? Why meditate? To help yourself | | | | entrainment CDs are even easier). Just sit still, relax |
| make better choices in life. | | | | your muscles, close your eyes and breath deeply and |
| Self Awareness | | | | slowly through your nose. Pay attention to your breath, |
| When you sit quietly and allow yourself to watch your | | | | and observe your busy mind as it brings up all sorts of |
| thoughts, even if it is only for a few minutes, you | | | | thoughts. As it does so, keep returning your attention |
| become aware of how much junk is in your own mind. | | | | to your breathing, to the breath as it passes in and out |
| This presents you with an opportunity to clean it up a | | | | of you nose. |
| bit, a chance to redirect your attention and allow better | | | | Continue this for five or ten minutes. Of course there |
| thoughts to prevail. Self awareness of this sort is | | | | are many little tricks and techniques to make this |
| crucial to your growth as a human as well as your | | | | easier and more effective, but this simple meditation |
| success in the world. | | | | will get you started. Why meditate? Try it a few times |
| A New Approach To Life | | | | and you'll answer the question for yourself. |