Meditation: A Beginner's Guide by Christin Snyder

Meditation: A Beginner's Guide
by Christin Snyder

*The material presented in this article is provided for information
purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or prevent any illness.

In my article "Self-Healing Basics" I briefly discussed meditation
and it's important role in whole-being wellness. Meditation has an
abundance of benefits, but can appear daunting to newcomers due to
the many misconceptions surrounding it. Through this series of
articles I will explore the art of meditation in depth- addressing
misconceptions, highlighting the benefits, answering frequently asked
questions, and also sharing different techniques.

I believe very deeply in the power each person has to heal
themselves. Meditation is one of several tools I teach to empower
others on their quest for spiritual and personal growth. I have
found that many who have comitted themselves to developing the
practice have reported dramatic results. Many have shared with me an
enhanced sense of purpose, reduced stress and anxiety levels, and
other life altering changes. There are numerous types and styles of
meditation, and with persistence and practice everyone can find one
to benefit them.

Meditation Myths:

There are many misconceptions and generalizations in regards to
meditation that unfortunately keep many people from trying it.
Before going into all of the benefits and techniques, I feel it is
necessary to first address some of these issues. In doing so, I hope
to provide a better understanding of just how simple and worthwhile
meditation can be.

One common misunderstanding surrounding meditation is the belief that
it is religious in nature. Although it is incorporated into the
religious practice in many traditions, it is not in and of itself,
religious in nature. Neither is it reserved to any one faith
system. Many people from a variety of cultures and traditions
successfully integrate meditation into their lives without conflict.

Another commonly held belief is that meditation requires a lot of
time to achieve results, however, as I will demonstrate later on, it
truly does not require hours of rigid daily practice to be
effective. Most of us do have busy lives, and meditation is an act
that can be effectively incorporated into any lifestyle. Is it a
discipline? yes. It needs to be developed into a routine, much in
the same way that walking the dog or going to the market are also
established as routines. The benefits will be well worth the few
minutes a day invested.

Last but not least, is the misconception that the mind must be void
of all thoughts for meditation to be effective. The key in
meditation is not necessarily to "empty" the mind, but to gain
control of the mind, to know and understand where it travels and
why. The main goal of meditation is to "know thyself" and by
learning the hidden motivations and reasons behind our seemingly
random thoughts we begin to do just that. The process aids in
removing random mind chatter, and streamlining the thought process.

If you are paying attention, you will notice that as you read this,
your mind has likely churned up several thoughts that have popped up
as you have gone along. If you haven't noticed this, you are not
alone. Many never really pay attention to just how much "noise" the
mind makes. The simple act of paying attention and noticing is a
first stage of a positive meditative practice. Through dedication we
learn to sift through the noise and retrieve what is necessary and
beneficial to us on our path. We are better able to slow the mind
down, which in turn reduces stress and anxiety.

Meditation is a practice that costs little to nothing and can benefit
anyone willing to put some time and effort into it. It requires no
special talents , merely the desire to grow and learn. For those
seeking a more fulfilling and rewarding life experience, meditation
offers a simple but powerful method to pursue personal and spiritual
growth. Throughout the rest of this series I will share answers to
common questions, explore the many benefits, and detail some
different meditation techniques that can be modified to each persons
unique preferences.

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Christin Snyder is a motivational writer/speaker whose passion is
helping others empower themselves. Visit her today for a variety of
resources including a free writers forum, journaling exercises,
motivation and more. http://www.dailypowerwords.com