My experience with meditation and time in the silence go way back. My first spiritual experience was with the Society of Friends, aka the Quakers. Most Quaker meetings consistent of silent worship for an hour. No sermons - but, if an individual feels moved or inspired to speak, he or she can stand and share their thoughts or revelations.
At Friends' Central, a Quaker school in Philadelphia, Pa that I attended as an elementary student, a weekly half-hour of silent workship was mandatory. Sitting in the silience every Wednesday as a child was difficult. I really didn't know what I was supposed to think about except that it should relate to God. For most people, it probably doesn't get any easier as adults.
Meditation, however, seemed to be in my future path, though. Close to the end of my senior year of high school, the librarian at my neighborhood library shared some information with my mother about TM - Transcendental Meditation. As it spread across the country, this form of meditation was becoming known as a simple technique to achieve relaxation, to eliminate tension, fatigue, and insomnia, and to even improve one's creativity, All in a few, simple lessons (at a somewhat steep price).
I took the course and learned how to relax myself twice daily to the silent focus of a "mantra," a Sanskrit word, selected to resonate with my particular personality. I enjoyed it and it seemed to complement my hatha yoga routine. Over the next few years in college and in graduate school I would do TM and hatha yoga intermittently - being sidetracked by the many distractions of student life.
You can learn many types of meditation. I recommend that if you have never meditated at all that you start by simple sitting in complete silence for just 5 to 10 minutes. All you need do is follow your breath as you inhale and exhale slowly.
As a beginner, your only objective should be to learn how to enjoy sitting in silence- no search for enlightenment or special revelations to begin with. Our current lifestyles are so hectic that we don't give ourselves time to just "be." Set your timer and just notice your breath as you inhale and exhale deeply for 5-10 minutes daily over the next week or so.
Make this time you daily mini-retreat! Sit still in a quiet environment and comfortable position. As annoying or distracting thoughts arise just let them go - say "thank you, I will deal with you later." Notice what happens this week. You should start becoming more "present" and perhaps even a bit calmer each day. By the way, meditation doesn't require you to be "religious." It is for atheists and believers alike.
Yoga Quotation of the Day: "Simple meditative practices may be found in practically every culture."~Herbert Benson, author of The Relaxation Response.
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