Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe, With Which Meditation Should I Go?

There are many different styles of meditation, so which one is right for you?

You can choose from:

1. A writing meditation - using either the dominant or non-dominant hand

2. Focussing on an object such as a candle

3. Repeating Mantras

4. A visually guided meditation

5. Through painting or sketching

6. Walking - anywhere

7. Through breath work

8. Body movement

9. Swimming

10. Listening to soothing music

To find one you're going to be happy with try and road test a few first.

Maybe you've already tried to meditate and found yourself even more frustrated than before you started.

Two comments I've heard in the past regarding meditation that really stand out for me are:

1. To meditate you must completely clear your mind and think nothing.

Yeah right. Personally this has never worked for me, nor have I observed this to work with newcomers. How can anyone new to this practise think nothing? Words as well as immediate issues arise, and mind chatter just keeps on keeping on. The good news is that you can learn to overcome this; it just takes some practise coupled with patience.

2. If you're stressed, meditate.

Speaking from experience, if I am pretty stressed out (which incidentally happens rarely) and I try to have a decent meditation session, it rarely works well for me. For a start I'm not adequately prepared eg, not in the present moment and still in problem solving mode. From my observation of others when they're stressed and try to meditate they become further frustrated because they're unable to stay focussed and get into the zone. The secret is to prepare yourself adequately first.

Find yourself a technique you know you'll enjoy so practising will be a positive experience. Alternatively find yourself a meditation group that has a good teacher. Not only will you learn to meditate, you might also form some great friendships that will last a lifetime.

Meditation is a discipline that can be learned through a step by step process, and once adept, you can use it for any number of reasons. Decide if your meditation is for relaxation; connection to spirit or self; to achieve clarity of mind; or to regain some inner strength.

My reasons for meditation are numerous. I meditate on purpose to receive answers to questions I might have. Before going into a meditative state I write down exactly what my question is, give it a timeline, and wait. Generally the answer is received during the session or shortly afterwards, depending of course on the timeline I gave.

I'll also meditate to access my creative self. After I've jotted down what my intention is I go into a meditative state with pen and paper handy. Generally what happens for me is that I start receiving ideas one after the after which I quickly jot down. I've written an entire workshop through one of these meditation sessions.

A great self healing tool, whenever I feel 'flat' I'll use colours, crystals, sound, and essential oils for my meditation sessions. After each session I am lighter, centred, balanced, and more focused.

So if you're now ready and keen to get started with some serious (or light hearted) meditation simply follow the 10 basic points listed below to help you on your way:

1. Decide where and when you want to meditate.

2. Get yourself ready by putting on soothing music and have your aromatherapy oil burning with your favourite oil blend. Activate the answering machine. Is there anything else you need?

3. You might like to have a journal and pen ready for some note taking at the end of your meditation with inspirations and insights that come to you.

4. Spend a little while settling into your space until you're happy with your comfort level. Are you too cold or hot or is the temperature just right?

5. Slowly begin breathing in and out, using your diaphragm muscles tuning into the rhythm of your breathing and the rise and fall of your chest.

6. You may wish to close your eyes at this point and enjoy this peaceful, relaxing moment, closing the door to the outside world for now.

7. If closing your eyes is not for you, focus on an object such as a candle (take extra care with any lit flame) or something similar.

8. If images or internal chatter starts to become frustrating, avoid suppressing them, instead name them, release them, and move on. If this persists, make a mental note that you will deal with it after your session. Refocus and continue.

9. When you're ready to come back, return wide awake and alert, wriggling your toes and touching your nose and have a really, really big stretch.

10. Use your journal to write any insights or inspirations you may have had during your journey, or simply enjoy the present moment with greater clarity and peace.

Welcome back! If you haven't tried meditation yet, why not give it a go? Add another 'life skill' to your resource toolkit and enjoy greater health and wellbeing!

Michaela is a Transformational Coach, certified practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), writer and Metaphysician who is totally committed to helping others create positive and action oriented changes to their lives (see http://www.michaelascherr.com)

Michaela is the author of several e-books including Book of 10 Colour Meditation Scripts and publisher of a monthly newsletter called From My Desk.

Married to David, Michaela has two children and a grandchild and currently lives in Brisbane Australia.

Latest News

Malaysia Star

2 From US Meditation Group Killed New York Times, United States - Nov 28, 2008 By GINGER THOMPSON The two Americans killed in Mumbai were on a meditation retreat with a Virginia ashram making its first collective visit to India, ... Former Art Professor, 13-Year-Old Daughter Killed in Attacks Washington Post Father-daughter pilgrimage ends tragically in Mumbai Los Angeles Times Terrorists cut short US teen’s holiday, life Indian Express Wall Street Journal - New York Times all 709 news articles

Survivors recall hotel nightmare Toronto Star,  Canada - 9 hours ago Larry Koftinoff, of Kelowna, BC, turned to meditation during hotel siege. MUMBAI–Days after they escaped the besieged Oberoi hotel, many of the surviving ... Mumbai survivor: 'There was blood everywhere' The Associated Press Prayers for parents visiting India answered in Kelowna Vancouver Sun Kelowna couple stay put in room The Province all 171 news articles

BBC News

US Jewish, meditation groups' members die in India The Associated Press - Nov 29, 2008 Other Americans killed in the attacks were a man and his teenage daughter from a Virginia community that promotes a form of meditation, a colleague said ... Video: NY Rabbi, Wife Among Dead in Mumbai Raid AssociatedPress A HinJew Target in Mumbai Washington Post US Jewish, meditation groups' members die in Mumbai WZTV Chicago Tribune - ABC News all 2,365 news articles

Telegraph.co.uk

Group therapy 'beats depression' BBC News, UK - 9 hours ago Group-taught meditation is as effective as staying on drug treatments for stopping people slipping back into depression, say UK scientists. ... Meditation 'best for depression' The Press Association Meditation 'beats antidepressants' Scotsman Meditation combats depression, study finds TheMedGuru Daily Mail - Metro all 31 news articles

China Daily

Nicole Kidman's Australia meditation China Daily, China - 18 hours ago She said: "I have a strong faith in God, he is at the centre of my meditation. Hugh and I would both meditate on the set of 'Australia'. ... Nicole Kidman refuses to sing in front of Keith Urban Melbourne Herald Sun all 21 news articles

Meditation Tips for Resisting Temptation Methuselah Foundation, DC - 15 hours ago Just some background: I view the use of meditation techniques to keep from eating foods you don't truly want that don't support your health, as a process of ... Flying Egg McMuffin Methuselah Foundation all 12 news articles

Mother of US Woman Shot in Mumbai on Her Daughter's Escape FOXNews - 4 hours ago ALAN COLMES, CO-HOST: 25 people from the Synchronicity Foundation, a meditation group based in Virginia, were on a spiritual retreat in India when the ...

CTV.ca

My movie experience helped me survive: David Rudder Hindu, India - 15 hours ago The actor said he was in India on a spiritual pilgrimage with a Virginia-based meditation group called Synchronicity Foundation which lost a member and his ... Montreal actor describes 'Die Hard' moment in Mumbai shootings The Canadian Press Canadian actor shot three times on yogic retreat Globe and Mail Montreal actor shot The Gazette (Montreal) NDTV.com - Calgary Herald all 228 news articles

Many benefit from Rajayoga meditation Times of India, India - 23 hours ago This was the view echoed by yoga experts at the end of the two-day Rajayoga meditation event on Sunday, organized by Times Foundation and Brahma Kumaris, ...

Soul in the City Common Ground, CA - 3 hours ago A consistent meditation practice can be an even more effective stress-buster — as long as it’s done the right way. (Apparently, even meditation can cause ...