Posts Tagged ‘meditation techniques’

Mantra Meditation Techniques

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

The word mantra is a root derived from the Sanskrit language and is associated with a spiritual context. Mantra is a sacred word, verse, or syllable representing the name or form of the god. It is given by an enlightened master also known as Guru to a seeker or disciple; who seeks it earnestly for spiritual pursuits or simply for purification of the mind. Mantras are considered very sacred and powerful and they are normally used in rituals as well as meditation techniques.

Buddhist meditation is a concentrated effort taken by the mind and it helps in perfecting the thought process. It is not associated with any specific religion and anyone having the desire to do a meditation can go in for a mantra meditation. Chanting a mantra or making the mind to dwell on a mantra can be termed as mantra meditation. Mantra meditation helps in purifying the mind and creating clarity in the thought process.

Mantra Meditation is a repeated chanting of the sacred syllable, word, verse mentally or inwardly to keep or acquire a balanced state of mind. This type of mediation when done repeatedly helps a person to attain mental tranquility and clarity in the thinking process.

Several people have several objectives concerning the benefits of meditation, like spiritual pursuit, self awakening, inner realization, self understanding, relaxation or it is done simply as a stress buster. Whatever be the objective of meditation the full potential of it is derived when it is done in the appropriate manner. Mantra meditation similarly is done with several objectives in mind, since mantras are sacred syllables and there are several mantras associated with several deities the result or the end objective for choosing a mantra is dependent on the seekers goal or objective. If a person seeks prosperity there are mantras and deities for the same such as Goddess Lakshmi mantra or Kubera mantra. Similarly if one seeks knowledge or wisdom etc, through learning how to meditate, there is another deity which is worshipped for the same and thus there are several mantras to choose from depending on the person’s pursuit.

When a seeker is interested in Mantra meditation he has to be clear on the objective for doing the meditation. Accordingly he can choose the right mantra, deity and get the initiation from a spiritual guru or master. Once he gets the mantra from the master he can start practicing meditation or chanting as specified by his master or guru. When the person practices mantra meditation, he will slowly start gaining a mental clarity which will help him to attain his objective or goal of life in a successful manner.

Learning Meditation Techniques

Sunday, August 17th, 2008

We intend to show you in this article how meditation techniques can help alleviate pain – in fact you could even get rid of pain by using certain yoga techniques. These exercises are very simple to pick up and they don’t really take up too much time. This is one of the most widely accepted and practiced methods to heal and relieve stress by all cultures and religions. Meditation involves contemplation and focus and it turns inwards to ensure that there is a sense of peace and calm within you.

All-in-all, there are several different meditation techniques for breathing that can be used along with the aid of listening to mediation music or the aid of chanting. You can also focus on a picture or concentrate on your own breathing cycle and posture. No matter what approach you decide to use, you are going to need a really quiet environment and a certain period of time, in which you aren’t going to be interrupted. Then select a word, object, or one’s own breathing rhythm and find a comfortable position – to prevent falling asleep it is best not to be lying down.

The aim of the exercise is to enter a state of ‘mindfulness’ in which one is aware of all around and at the same time is in a detached mental state from the immediate surroundings as in a trance. Generally people experience the limited Alpha State. In the two deeper states, however, the mind becomes progressively more tranquil and still.

Though it is Buddhism that comes to mind when we think of meditation, most religions include it as a part of their religious practices in some form or the other. Buddhism uses it in order to focus and direct one’s mental path to get to the point of enlightenment. While it can be done anywhere, anytime and in any position, what you will find is that the best way to do it is in the sitting position which is known as ‘zazen’.

In relationship to meditating, there are several psychological and physical benefits that have been documented, several of them arising out of a research project that was conducted by Professor Herbert Benson at the Harvard Medical School. Just twenty minutes is enough to make a visible difference in controlling your blood pressure, your heart and breathing rate and you metabolism. The deeper states will very often bring about mental images like bursts of color and images and maybe even a still, small voice. Some of the follow-on studies have reflected that meditation can also help to relieve anxiety and stress, migraine, headaches, depression, fatigue, chronic pain, and insomnia.

As you become happier, healthier and you being to realize that you possess a much greater self-awareness, all of the other benefits are going to start to naturally follow: for example, an improved mental functioning is going to mean a greater intuition as well as a much greater access to the unconscious abilities and resources. Meditation has been used for some means of spiritual growth however, more recently, it has become a very valuable tool for finding a place of relaxation, peace and tranquility within this fast-paced and demanding world and managing stress. By learning meditation techniques and daily meditation and yoga, one can indeed achieve a stress free life.