Meditation for All Ages

We can describe meditation as the practice of quieting the mind of random thoughts or concentrating on one thing to aid in relaxation, mental or spiritual development, or contemplation. Meditation has been practiced in one form or another for centuries by many different religions and belief systems. Belief in God (religious practice) is not necessary for the practice of meditation. You can meditate and clear your mind for the purpose of relaxation, to seek clarity, or to contemplate a complex subject. Since meditation takes time to develop, you can say you are training the mind to reach a certain level of consciousness. Meditation is also characterized by experiencing an altered state of consciousness. What does that mean? Does it sound a little scary? Not to worry. When we speak of an altered state of consciousness, we mean that we are moving from a mind that is thinking all the time to a mind that is calmer, without ruminating thoughts. Your mind is in a constant state of activity, moving from one topic to another. It is part of your daily routine to think about many things at a time and to multitask. When you are in a quiet environment, your mind begins to wander as you think about your busy day, your family responsibilities, your upcoming projects, or even your grocery list. Although this may be frustrating, it is quite normal. In meditation, you recognize that all those constant thoughts exist. You acknowledge them, but you choose not to give them energy, and eventually you can control them. Since you are trying to control your thoughts and divert your mind from ruminating about your daily activities, problems, or stressors, you change your conscious level to what we refer to as an “altered state of consciousness.” However, you are always in control, and you can stop meditating at any time you choose. Since there are many different methods of meditation, it is possible to practice a specific meditation for a particular purpose, or you might choose just to sit quietly in nature. Each day, your life is filled with work, family, and other daily responsibilities. Trying to find a few quiet moments for yourself can be difficult. However, it is well worth giving it a try. You may be wondering why you should meditate. There are many benefits, of course. Meditation relieves stress, helps in relaxation, increases intelligence, expands intuition, increases focus and concentration, increases creativity, and can even decrease the aging process. With continued meditation, expanded spiritual growth is possible, as is becoming one with your higher self. Meditation raises your vibration and moves you out of lower forms of vibration, such as negative thinking, anger, or resentment. It helps in developing your psychic ability, healing gifts, and mediumistic gifts, if that is your desire. Although everyone can tap into this energy, many people are not aware of their true abilities in this area. All forms of meditation help you to relax. Many people just listen to relaxing music and can feel their bodies letting go of the day’s stressors. When your body can let go of tension for just a little while, you feel refreshed and renewed. Even taking a warm bath or shower helps relieve muscle tightness and gives you a refreshing feeling. How many times have doctors told patients that they need to relax or they could have a heart attack? Ten minutes of meditation relaxes you, whether you listen to music or sit silently in a meditative position. It calms the body, and relaxation is its natural by-product. When you can have a clear mind through meditation, your intelligence is improved because you can focus and concentrate much better. A short meditation is extremely helpful when you find yourself hitting a stumbling block and can’t seem to work out a problem at work or home. Meditation helps clear your mind so you can begin anew with a fresh start; the answers will flow more easily. Through meditation, it is possible to tap into your more creative side. Many of us can use our left analytical brains but do not always have the opportunity to tap into our right-brain creative ability. Meditating helps you to be present in the moment and merge into the project you’re working on so you can delve into your creativity. Many people have even been able to reduce blood pressure, aid their recovery from illness, or improve their immune systems. If you are at the point in your life where you are trying to discern your purpose or find more meaning, meditation is almost a necessity. Through meditation, it is possible to expand your growth in spirituality, learn to become one with your higher self, and raise your vibration to live a more positive and fulfilling life. It also gives you the opportunity to discern your spiritual gifts so that you can live the life you are meant to live.