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Men and women respond to stress very differently. As in childbirth, women’s bodies release a chemical, oxytocin (ahk-see-toe-sin). This chemical has a calming effect and is also found at higher levels in breastfeeding mothers. Estrogen, the predominant female hormone, boosts the effects of ... Views: 2496
What is meditation? By my definition, it's any practice, technique or trick that quiets the mind and allows one to just BE. The goal of meditation is to experience at least a taste of pure bliss. This level of cosmic consciousness is described by a multitude of labels in different spiritual ... Views: 5604
The Un-Hypnotist – An Introduction to Freedom
Face it. It’s an un-free, unfair, cruel and dysfunctional world. And the only reason you put up with it and have not found freedom (for those of you who have not found freedom) is because you are hypnotized. Early on, you were socially coerced ... Views: 2043
"You grow in awareness
by becoming conscious
of what is unconscious
in mindfulness meditation.
You have been meditating for years
thinking your mind is still in meditation,
and then suddenly you see
you have been lost in your thinking the whole time
without even knowing it. ... Views: 1045
"HOW COME I CAN'T MEDITATE?" ARTICLE by Pamela Smale Williams LPC LMFT AAMFT copyright 2008-9
Ok, you're all set to experience a meditative state, or "alpha state" as some refer to it. Others might call this trance induction, self hypnosis, or Visualization practice. You try it out, and are ... Views: 2007
For people in the West, Zen Buddhist meditation can often seem mysterious and magical, as well as a bit confusing at times. If you take some time to look underneath the mythology around Zen, however, it can be much easier to comprehend.
I have to warn you, though, that discovering the ... Views: 1060
When we try to stop thoughts, we are playing a cerebral kind of "Whack-A-Mole."
It doesn't matter how many times you go after that mole, there are always more of them bursting out of various holes, over and over, faster and faster, not stopping.
But there are other possible ways to ... Views: 729
"How to Meditate"
In 1970, I saw this title on a small ad in the back of a comic book.
I could learn to meditate for just $1, the ad promised. “Secrets of ancient yogi masters revealed: achieve psychic powers, control the mind!” Learning to meditate like a monk through this step-by-step ... Views: 870
Want to learn how to teach meditation?
It’s simple.
You can turn yourself into a meditation teacher in less than five minutes by following these easy steps.
First, pick a simple meditation technique and practice describing how to do it. You don’t have to be able to do it yourself, ... Views: 1001
It is easier than ever to get meditation instruction where you live.
You can find meditation classes in almost any American city. I’ve seen YMCA's in the middle of nowhere offer free meditation instruction. At one time, you could have listed all of America’s spiritual and meditation retreat ... Views: 793
“Meditation teachers should offer their instruction for free.”
About once a month, I get an email telling me that. Often, I hear this from people who have studied with meditation teachers in India or have visited ashrams where they weren’t asked for payment for classes they took. This gave ... Views: 884
Finding the right meditation supplies, especially the perfect meditation cushion, can feel lot like looking for the Holy Grail.
I started meditating in 1970 and since then, I've tried almost every kind of meditation cushion ever created. I've spent so much time on this I even tried to ... Views: 843
If you are looking into Buddhist meditation and you want to really go deeply into it, then the best way to do that is to go on a Buddhist meditation retreat.
You can find Buddhist meditation centers just about anywhere in the world. However, having completed over thirty meditation retreats, I ... Views: 1525
I've done more than twenty Vipassana meditation retreats. My first one was in 1983. I had been meditating for more than twelve years at that point, but I had never taken ten days to do nothing except meditate for fourteen hours a day.
Americans interested in practicing Vipassana are likely to ... Views: 2053
It has been an honor for me to participate in the 12 Holy Days of Christmas, a very special time of year where the veil is lifted between the two worlds. These worlds are really one with angels, teachers, and the Christ all awaiting our desire to know the truth of their existence. The concept of ... Views: 2768
Since I started practicing meditation, I have been trying out different things - little changes here and there - that although may sound small and petty, they have improved my meditation significantly and consistently.
I have written this article especially for people who have started doing ... Views: 1147
Thirty two years ago I officially stepped on "the path," the sacred path. It is a journey that one takes perhaps in many lifetimes. Within three months I started my work with massage, I began my weekly metaphysics classes, and my beautiful sister Donna was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I ... Views: 2241
Blue Matrix Energetics I Merkaba Technique
Introduction
This technique is taught in Blue Matrix Module I. It involves focusing energetically to detach from the past and to create a new calibration of mind in the present. The number one obstacle in manifesting the new health state ... Views: 3977
While we are praying silently, we are going to let go of all the baggage we carry on our shoulders regarding the past and future. When thoughts of the past come up, whether it be who we are, what we have accomplished, what titles we have earned, our childhood, our relatives, our relationships, ... Views: 1667
Qigong, Immunity, and Influenza
With debate raging over the efficacy and side effects of the H1N1 flu vaccine, which contains mercury (as thimerosal) and may contain other adjuvants, perhaps it is appropriate to consider carefully some natural alternatives to increase one's immune response. ... Views: 2328
Meditation positions can do more harm than good. Many magazine articles will show pictures of esoteric yogis holding intricate hand gestures while sitting in bliss. This can be a turn-off, since perhaps you aren’t limber or maybe you are at work and don’t want to be started at while busting ... Views: 1378
Tarot Affirmations - Queen of Cups, for Intuition, Insight, and Answers
About: Tarot Affirmations are positive statements using the Tarot, to center ourselves while energizing our Mojo! My goal is to help invigorate higher vibrations with creative visualization for self-awareness, while ... Views: 2828
Health and healing are not what we have been led to believe they are. Modern Western medicine and science tell us that disease is a scourge and that the primary goal of treatment is to cure it. In order to achieve cures, we fight illnesses with drugs; remove diseased parts; replace worn out ... Views: 1432
Those who are just starting out with meditation often try to create a daily meditation practice. People regularly ask me to talk about starting a daily practice in a similar tone to how people talk about losing weight or stopping smoking. The conversation sounds like there is some habit that ... Views: 1342
Here are some ideas on how to best prepare for your first meditation retreat:
1) Make sure details are handled before leaving. Pay your bills. Arrange for someone to check your messages and let them know where to reach you in case of emergency. Be sure someone will be checking on your pets ... Views: 971
It’s said that the Buddha admonished his students not to believe anything just because it’s taught by teachers or appears in sacred books but, instead, to examine everything carefully themselves. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some ideas about meditation.
I have often wondered about ... Views: 579
I was a meditation failure.
I began meditating at the age of eight when I purchased a "Hypnodisk" I saw in the novelty Johnson-Smith catalog. The manual explained how to induce a hypnotic trance, information which soon caused my teacher to write to my parents asking me to stop hypnotizing the ... Views: 548
Most all meditation traditions suggest practicing meditation daily.
Regardless of whether you are doing a mindfulness practice or yogic meditation, a Buddhist meditation or relaxation practice, or even listening to a guided meditation CD, daily practice is usually recommended by most ... Views: 891
"Infinite silence is the mind of God. It is a mind that can create anything out of the field of pure potentiality." -Deepak Chopra
We will be using meditation to prepare, relax, and heal the body and the mind from our physical training, as well as, to further develop the proper mindset. ... Views: 2103
“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.” – Buddha
I have harped on the fact that our thoughts create our reality and directly influence our experience of life many ... Views: 4278
I had a Christian friend of mine ask me about reincarnation the other day. My friend and I practice Hatha Yoga together at the local fitness center. She is familiar with yoga philosophy and reincarnation, but wanted to know how it could fit into her theology. Her pastor had told her that it was ... Views: 1998
We have many past lives and one of the purposes, in our present lifetime, is to clear the Karma associated with these past lives. Generally, ‘symptoms’ or ‘events’ in our life will signify a specific past life that is presenting - to be cleared. If you choose you can highlight this past life ... Views: 5709
Do you feel at times that you are just going through the motions, living life unconsciously? Did you know that this feeling is actually close to spirituality, more so than being entirely and endlessly enthralled with life?
Now, there is a difference between living life unconsciously and ... Views: 2584
Meditation practices are becoming more popular every year with individuals from all walks of life. Countless numbers of people are finding that meditation can help take away the stress and worry that comes with today's high speed lives. If you are undertaking any form of meditation or yoga it is ... Views: 787
I constantly tell my clients that meditation is like your life in miniature - in other words, everything you encounter during meditation mirrors your daily life.
So, for example, during meditation, your conscious mind will distract you - with an average of 50,000 random thoughts whizzing ... Views: 3402
The Mystery of the Solar Plexus
For many years I have seen various charts and books written on the subject of the chakras. There seems to be some general confusion as to the location and spiritual function of the solar plexus. I have seen some charts put its location as low in the body as the ... Views: 2803
My Background
From the time I was a young boy, probably from about the age of 5, I was exposed to meditation through my grandfather mainly. I remember being really young, waking up before dawn to the sounds of “Ohms”, other chants and Hindu prayers. I remember waking up, walking half asleep ... Views: 1530
On my way up the mountain carrying some roofing materials I stopped to catch my breath, and as I unconsciously gazed at a scrub cedar tree that I had trimmed a month before to make the trail, an insight popped up. They happen at random like this, and seldom have anything to do with the thinking ... Views: 1585
If I’ve inspired you in my last blog entry to give meditation a try, here’s a very basic form of mindfulness meditation, adapted from Vipassana Buddhism:
Find a quiet place to sit in a chair or on the floor, with your eyes open or closed, whichever is most comfortable to you. Set a timer for ... Views: 1051
Question:
I recently read your e book on the seven spiritual laws, and I was wondering where I should start in order to apply these laws to my everyday life. I am unfamiliar with meditation, and I have never done yoga. So how do I go about it if I am lacking those skills? At this time, taking ... Views: 740
Since 1963, St. John’s Hospice is a program of catholic social services of Philadelphia, a temporary home for 52 homeless residents. An all-man shelter hosts people from all backgrounds and all walks of life. My wife Natalie, my son Ben and I went there for the first time about 4 years ago. We ... Views: 2903
Sitting quietly, doing nothing, what a waste of valuable time, right? You could be on the computer or cell phone talking with friends, or doing something really productive or fun. Why sit quietly?
In life, two things separate successful people from ordinary people: creativity and energy. ... Views: 1523
Most people lead normal lives. Those lives are, generally speaking, repetitive - where anything spectacular rarely happens. Of course, the normal life is punctuated by the spectacular - falling in love, marriage, the birth of a child, the odd special holiday. But, generally speaking, ... Views: 3626
- Full lotus posture: This is the most difficult position to master. It involves sitting cross legged on the cushion with your right foot on your left thigh and your left foot on your right thigh.
- Half lotus posture: In this position, you have one foot on the opposite thigh and ... Views: 840
selection from my best-seller 8 Minute Meditation. “the most American form of meditation yet.” TIME
In prehistoric times (before MTV), there were those TV kid shows, where the host would hold up a loaf of bread and proclaim, “Kids, Wonder Bread tastes great! And it’s good for you too!” ... Views: 863
Question:
I took the primordial sound meditation teaching with one of your instructors and they explained my personal mantra as the sound that was made at the time of my birth. Since I studied with the instructor I have become afraid of it. This morning I had a deep, spiritual dream that ... Views: 677
"There are 3 stages
of mind in meditation.
The first stage is personal.
The thoughts are about you,
your world, what you've seen,
heard, tasted, felt etc.
It's experience is one of duality.
There is you and everything else.
Conflict and control,
desire and resistance.
Once ... Views: 838
I normally have pretty good luck with the Law of Attraction. But perhaps the focus on “stress reduction” this month on the blog has caused my stress level to rise a bit. One bright side to that is I have lots of situations to apply the stress relief tips that are being shared. One stress ... Views: 1398
A caricature I saw recently depicted these big, fat gluttons, each with a big ol' turkey leg in one hand and a big ol' glass in the other—obviously obese people. They were smiling… and you know how those people have legs that don't even look normal because their bodies are so big? I looked at it ... Views: 1043
Whether you’re a first-time or seasoned meditator, chances are high—about 100%— that when you start to meditate, you will be subject to what appears to be an actual, incessant, and absolutely uncontrollable stream of thought. In the Zen meditation tradition, this is called “watching the ... Views: 910