The Magic of Meditation

"Meditation gives us peace of mind without a tranquilizer. And unlike a tranquilizer, the peace of mind that we get from meditation does not fade away." - Sri Chinmoy

Got stress? With the high levels of uncertainty and insecurity all around us these days, it seems like the perfect time to talk about a simple, easy and free way to relax and feel good - Meditation. As we know, too much stress not only ages us prematurely but is also the culprit behind a myriad of physical and emotional issues including chronic pain, high blood pressure, asthma, insomnia, depression, anxiety and even obesity.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, a frequent guest on Oprah, states that meditation is the number one antidote to stress. According to Dr. Oz, meditating for just a few minutes a day allows you to "reboot your engine and get back on track." More and more medical doctors are prescribing meditation over medication, deeming it a safe and simple way to promote overall health.

The use of meditation to alleviate suffering and promote healing has been around for some 5,000 years, popping up in surprisingly diverse cultures - including India in 3,000 BCE, 5th century Syria and Jordan, 10th century Japan, as well as Poland and Russia in the 1700's. Even though meditation has its roots in religious traditions, practicing meditation does not require a shift in personal philosophy or spiritual beliefs.

What's not to love? Meditation costs nothing, requires no special equipment, can be practiced anywhere at any time, is not time-consuming (15-20 minutes per day is good) and has no negative side effects. Here are some of the profound rewards of meditation:

• Meditation deepens our connection with Source. Some call it an inner communion with God. Eckhart Tolle says meditation aligns us with the totality. Meditators often sense a oneness with everything and everyone.
• Meditators report an increased sense of well-being, sharper minds, dramatically improved mental health, less stress, better relationships, more fulfilling lives, and greater confidence. With increased Life Force Energy, vitality and enthusiasm for life, meditators feel more awake, more aware, and more alive.
• Using cutting-edge scanning technology, neuroscientists are able to watch the meditating mind at work. Among other findings, they have discovered that meditators produce more pleasurable brain chemicals than non-meditators and that longtime meditators don't lose gray matter in their brains with age the way others do.

Even though hundreds of millions of people throughout the world now meditate on a regular basis, there are still those who consider meditation to be weird, even scary. If you're new to meditation and want to give it a try, here are some ways to ease into it.

• First of all, you don't have to be silent and still to meditate. Many types of meditation include vocal repetition of a mantra and others include physical activity such as Qigong or Tai Chi. You can even reach a meditative state literally "on the run" in a process called sacred running.
• The easiest way to start meditating is to just sit down and breathe for a few minutes. Simply close your eyes, relax, and focus on your breath as it enters and leaves your body. As your mind wanders, gently re-focus your attention on your breathing, allowing any thoughts to drift away. This simple activity is both refreshing and calming.
• Guided meditation is another no-fuss way to jump in. There are many excellent guided meditations available on CD and mp3 download - some of them free. I even found a free meditation timer online.

"It's like coming home." This is the way some meditators describe the solace and peace meditation brings. As you continue to practice meditation, you will find that your life gets better - and easier - and more fun. You will tap into a higher level of awareness and truly KNOW that All is Well.

So, the bottom line is that meditation makes you feel good. And, when you feel good, your vibration is high. And, as we know from Law of Attraction, when your vibration is high, you're a match to your desires. Feeling good and manifesting your desires - that's the Magic of Meditation!