MEDITATION: GETTING STARTED
If you are new to meditation, here are a few first steps you can take to get started.
* Make an appointment with yourself for 10 to 20 minutes each morning or evening.
* Find a quiet place and relax. Subdued light and soft music can create an appropriate atmosphere.
* Sit comfortably upright on the floor or in a chair.
*Keep your eyes open, and without staring, gently rest them on a chosen point somewhere in front of you in the room.
* Gently withdraw your attention from all sights and sounds.
* Become the observer of your own thoughts.
* Don't try to stop thinking, just be the observer, not judging or being carried away by your own thoughts, just watching.
* Gradually they will slow down and you will begin to feel more peaceful.
* Create one thought for yourself, about yourself ie. I am a peaceful being.
* Hold that thought on the screen of your mind, visualize yourself being peaceful, quiet and still.
* Stay as long as you can in the awareness of that thought. Don't fight any other thoughts or memories that may come to distract you. Just watch them pass by and return to your created thought, "I am a peaceful being."
* Acknowledge and appreciate the positive feelings and other positive thoughts which may spring directly from this one thought.
* Be stable in these feelings for a few minutes. Be aware of unrelated thoughts.
* Finish your meditation by closing your eyes for a few moments and creating complete silence in your mind.