Whenever I look at newspapers, magazines and television, there always seems to be something on the subject of meditation and its many benefits. From reducing stress to helping you live healthier and longer, the results are in and they are all in favor of meditation. I see this and I agree. However, I also have to admit it’s difficult for me to meditate.
One of the best things that I have found for bringing meditation into my life has been a complimentary gift from Deepak Chopra’s Meditation Center. He offers a 21-day meditation challenge a few times a year. These five to ten-minute guided meditations are led by master teachers from the Chopra Center. The short daily meditations make it simple to stay quiet and centered. The teachers choose subjects to help you focus on the mind, body and spirit in a calm and soothing way. I believe that five to ten minutes a day is easy to commit to.
The next opportunity for a 21-day meditation challenge is about to begin! It starts on February 20th, 2012. Just go to www.chopracentermeditation.com and sign up. I assure you that it’s easy to stay focused. You will notice the benefits from this meditation challenge and it’s free!
I chose to listen to the meditations at night before bed. I found that it made me feel calm and relaxed. It allowed me to let go of the day and wake up with a refreshed sense of well-being. Maybe you’re a morning person and it would work better for you to listen to while you sip your morning coffee? The point is it’s not a huge time commitment and the gifts that you receive from doing it are amazing.
There are several master teachers that lead the meditations. Each brings a unique viewpoint to consider. My favorite teacher is Davidji. His voice is perfect for guided meditation. It’s deep, rich and inviting to listen to. His voice sounds friendly, supportive and thoughtful.
I hope that you will consider trying meditation. Whether your meditation preference is sitting, breathing, chanting, gong meditation or another way you prefer to find that peace, I encourage you to do it. For me, I’ll be accepting the next 21-day challenge from the Chopra Center.
I’ve heard that meditation helps a lot for creativity. Do you find that it helps with your business and reiki? Does creativity have anything to do with reiki at all? Anyway, what type of meditations have you tried before, if any?
Chris,
I have also heard that meditation will help with creativity. I believe that when our minds are clear from unnecessary distractions, we focus clearly. For some, that may mean tapping into their creative source without feeling bombarded by mind chatter.
Whenever we choose to honor ourselves we create beauty in our lives. Taking time to meditate is a perfect way to do this. The reward may indeed be that your creativity is spiked. What a wonderful gift to give yourself.
I find that as a Reiki practitioner, my mind is very much “in the gap” during a Reiki session. I am convinced that the calm and restorative state that Reiki provides, allows my mind to find that sense of peace. In turn, clients report feeling serene during their Reiki sessions. Reiki may tap into the same part of the brain that meditation does.
The other meditative practices that I have tried are breathing techniques used in yoga. They are more challenging for me to comply with. I have to be guided by my yoga instructor. I have not tried them on my own because they don’t appeal to me naturally. However, I do find that breathing techniques are a powerful source for meditation.
I’ve also done walking meditations in nature. Being outside (especially near the ocean) is refreshing and healing for me. I find it quite easy to meditate while watching waves roll in. Having my toes in the sand grounds me as well.
The best meditations are the ones that you resonate with. Research shows that regularity in meditation will give the most benefits. I encourage everyone to try different techniques until they find the right fit for them.
Thanks for all the great questions Chris! Good luck with your meditation practice.
Namaste