Ask a hundred people about meditation and you'll most likely receive a hundred different impressions as to exactly what it is.

One of the reasons for that is the fact that meditation is as old as mankind and with that longevity there has developed countless methods, schools and styles for meditating.

Add to that, the fact that many other activities like meditation, hypnosis, self-hypnosis, shamanic trances and even day-dreaming employ the same fundamental mechanisms to arrive at the desired mental state; and you have even further complications and interpretations as to precisely what is going on.

Meditation and Science:

Let's start with the opposite of the relaxed, meditative state; stress and the "Fight or Flight" response.

Nature has equipped mammals with the physical ability to react to stress that has evolved into a survival mechanism. When confronted with (what is perceived as) stressful situations our bodies release a bath of hormones like adrenaline and noradrenaline or epinephrine and norepinephrine that immediately increase heart rate and blood flow to the muscles; preparing us for either a physical battle or departure to safety (hopefully).

We still possess this physiological mechanism, but there are no longer saber-toothed tigers wanting us for dinner. It is triggered in the face of any perceived danger, whether factual or conjured in the mind (fear). The damage to us as a result is a myriad of problems from hypertension to high blood pressure to weakening of vital organs.

Fortunately, the opposite is also true. We are instilled with what Dr. Herbert Benson, M.D. coined as the Relaxation Response. This state is the polar opposite of "Fight or Flight" in that once attained, the body actually begins a healing and rejuvenation process.

Throughout history there have been those that have mastered this Relaxation Response like the Tibetan monks who meditate at a deep level for religious purposes. The ancient and modern shaman also utilize this altered state to "journey" once they have reached "trance". Their techniques vary from chanting, to dance, drumming, rattles or the use of drugs. The end result however is a lowered brain wave frequency while aware and placing Intention upon a task. Or in the case of the monks, no task.

Methods of Meditation:

Our lives are busy and so is our mind. It is in a never ending labor to provide solutions to problems, review past scenes and prepare for the future.

Should we close our eyes and place our awareness inward, we are all faced with what the Eastern culture refers to as "Monkey Mind". That is, our thoughts and internal imagery is flitting about like a tree full of monkeys, out of control. It's a wonder we can focus on anything.

But focus we must and there are numerous ways to accomplish this.

Concentration is the key, but understand that it is not as though your are wrestling or exerting forceful energy at your Monkey Mind. It is simply placing your awareness within, relaxing or calming the body with the intention of making the mind still. You are the observer, not the actor. From this perspective we can begin to control the monkeys.

Over the centuries there have been different techniques developed that are all equally effective. The main reason there are so many is that people are all different and learn differently too. Some students are more physically oriented while others are more visual or auditory. The end result is fundamentally the same, slowing down the Monkey Mind and gaining command of the controls; being pro-active as opposed to reactive.

Breath:

The most elemental technique is focusing on the breath. We all breath. It is with us at all times and places. We need no tools or equipment to breath. We simply place our awareness on the steady inhale and exhale, the in and out, of our breathing. We need not force this process. Simply observe. If a thought or feeling arises we need only acknowledge it and permit it to pass. Then return to the gentle in and out of the breath. Permit yourself to notice the entirety of the breath. Feel it softly touching the nostrils of the nose with each inhale. Sense the depth of the breath as it flows into the lungs. Be mindful of the belly and permit it to expand upon inhale without forcing things. In time, you can hang for a time at the point where your breath is neither in nor out, inhale nor exhale. There at the momentum change we can linger and our breathing gently takes us down into the Alpha/Theta brain wave range.

Stress & Release:

In addition to the breath, we can utilize the Stress & Release technique to discover the tension in the body and release it.

We start at the feet and methodically go through each section of the body. First we tense up that part of our body and create stress there. Hold it for time then release. Become aware of the difference between tension and relaxation. Notice the wonderful warmth of blood and energy flowing freely there.

Move up to the calves/knees; then to the thighs; the pelvic area and buttocks; the lower back, abdomen and sides; the shoulders; the arms; the hands; the neck, face and scalp. Create tension as though you are making a tight fist. Then release that tension and place your awareness there.

What we are doing is educating the body as to what is stress and what is relaxation. In time, you'll simply need to think about relaxing and you'll have the reference to point to. Relaxing and calming the body is the objective.

Another type of physical focus is simply placing your awareness upon your inner energy as it flows throughout your body. We have an energy system that appears very much like the nervous system called the Meridian System. Energy from what we consume, from exchanges with other living things and from the Universe all are dealt with through the major and minor energy transformers called chakras. They take the energy and send it out through the Meridian system and dsiperse that which has been used. The explaination and study of the energy system is a whole other subject unto itself and worhy of all the time you can spend on it.

Auditory:

Some individuals better relate to sound so the use of mantras, tones or music best assist them to reach their objectives.

The use of a mantra also has the tonal effect of entrainment. That is, the vibrational quality of the mantra or audio tones assists the brain by consciously getting the brain waves on the same track, so to speak, as the sound, thus lowering the brain waves down into the desire range.

Visual:

Some people find it preferable leave the eyes open and gaze at an image, flame or object to maintain focus and concentration. Gazing involves using a candle flame, physical object or picture of your choice as an object of meditative focus.

Visualization can also be used internally. That is, create an image in your mind and concentrate to clarify that image or scene and eliminate all unwanted thoughts, images or energy. This should not be confused with the imagery used while in the manifeting process. Although there is imagrery involved, we do not actually use our eyes so this is not truly visual. I prefer to refer to this process as Creative Modeling rather than creative visualization.

Meditation in Motion:

Yoga, Tai Chi and other martial arts utilize breathing and meditation techniques as part of the discipline.

If walking is your excercise, you can place your awareness on the simple, step by step, of walking. Learn to control your breathing in cadence with your pace and you'll accomplish much more than a simple day in the park.

Dynamic Meditation™ The meditation technique
described here is NOT the
Osho Dynamic Meditation technique. :

The term Dynamic Meditation™ seems, at first, a contridiction in terms, but the active use of your mind once the desired, altered state is obtained is a powerful means to improve virtually any skill-set, defeat your greatest fears and produce solutions to problems great and small.

With the use of Creative Modelling, we are able to place ourselves in the precise scenario we want to be and act out all the possible outcomes. This is where we make our mistakes. This is where we learn to do thing properly. This is where success manifests.

It doesn't matter whether we are trying to improve our golf swing, be better lovers or speak in front of a large audience. We do it right on the inside and then we are literally programed to do it right on the outside, in the Now.

This is a powerful tool you can learn quickly to make your life, your living and your business the best it can be.

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