Meditation is a practice that involves mastering the mind. It’s often used as a tool for reducing stress and anxiety but that is just a by-product. As we go deeper into our meditation practice, we go beyond the mind, accessing the truth of who we are and this gives us stability, an unshakability, as we move through life.
What does meditation involve?
There are many meditation techniques but they generally involve focusing attention on a particular object, such as the breath, a candle, a mantra (sound), or an image. We have set out some common meditation techniques below to get you started. Different ways may work better for different people.
Body Scan Meditation
This involves moving your awareness through the body, from the feet up to the head, bringing awareness to each part of the body in turn.
Loving-Kindness Meditation
A technique that involves generating feelings of love and kindness towards oneself, others, and all living beings.
Breath Awareness Meditation
This technique involves focusing on the breath and observing its natural flow without manipulation or control.
Mantra Meditation
Here, a word or phrase is repeated to calm the mind and enter a state of deep relaxation.
Walking Meditation
A technique that involves walking slowly and mindfully, focusing on each step, the connection between the feet and the ground, and the sensations experienced in the body.
Yoga Nidra
This technique consists of a guided meditation while lying down, leading to deep relaxation and increased self-awareness.
Chakra Meditation
This is a technique that involves focusing on each of the seven chakras (energy centres) of the body, in turn, to activate and balance them.
Visualisation
This involves visualising a peaceful and relaxing scene, such as a beach or a forest, and becoming immersed in it.
Benefits of meditation
A regular meditation practice has been shown to have numerous physical, mental, and emotional benefits. We have listed a few of them below, to inspire you.
- Reduces stress
- Improves focus and concentration
- Increases self-awareness
- Improves self-esteem
- Cultivates a sense of inner peace and well-being
- Improves quality of sleep
- Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Promotes emotional regulation
- Increases gray matter in the brain
- Enhances creativity and problem solving abilities
- Boosts the immune system
- Reduces chronic pain
- Improves health
- Cultivates compassion towards oneself and others
- Develops a deeper connection with Self
- Improves relationships and communication skills
- Increases happiness
- Cultivates a sense of purpose and meaning in life
If you want all this and more, check out our Meditation Lab on Sattva Connect - Your Support to an Awakened Life!
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