It is not a good idea to listen to music during meditation. When we listen to music our mind is focused on the music. Idea is to try and clear our mind of any thoughts. This certainly takes some practice getting used to but once we can meditate on a calm mind without any external stimulus, our concentration increases which has added benefits.
Tag: meditation
Why does my mind gets busier when I meditate?
When we are learning to meditate, the mind tries to remind you that who is in charge. This entire exercise is about taming the mind. So initially when you start to meditate, you will get just about a million thoughts a minute. If this happens, just go back to the sensation of your breath at your nostrils for about five breaths. This should calm your mind down. Initially, you will end up doing this every 10 seconds but eventually, you will come to a point where you are able to control your mind.
How do you take a Deep Breathe?
I get this question a lot from westerners and young generation. There are three types of breathing patterns. Most people only breathe in shallow pattern where their breath does not go all the way down their lungs.
To take a deep breath, put your hand on your stomach. When you inhale, notice your stomach expanding. Try to take a deep breath where your stomach is noticeable expanded. When you exhale, you will see your stomach contracting. Try to touch your stomach to your spinal cords (practically this is not feasible but it says that contract as much as possible).
Practice taking 5 deep breaths every few hours. Eventually, deep breath will become your natural pattern.
Loving Kindness Meditation
Below is a description of loving-kindness meditation gracefully provided by Tashi Nyima of the Great Middle Way.
Bring your attention to yourself, and recite:
May I be happy and peaceful. May I be healthy and strong.
May I feel safe and protected. May I live with ease and joy.
Bring your attention to one or more friends or relatives (human or non-human), and recite:
May you be happy and peaceful. May you be healthy and strong.
May you feel safe and protected. May you live with ease and joy.
Bring your attention to distant or inimical sentient beings, and recite:
May they be happy and peaceful. May they be healthy and strong.
May they feel safe and protected. May they live with ease and joy.
Bring your attention to all sentient beings, and recite:
May we be happy and peaceful. May we be healthy and strong.
May we feel safe and protected. May we live with ease and joy.
Why Meditate?
Simply put, meditation increases your self-awareness. There are added benefits such as reduced stress; reduced anxiety; increased focus; increased compassion; and others.
Meditation and Science – Straight from the National Institute for Health (NIH)
Many studies have investigated meditation for different conditions, and there’s evidence that it may reduce blood pressure as well as symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and flare-ups in people who have had ulcerative colitis. It may ease symptoms of anxiety and depression and may help people with insomnia.
Meditation and the Brain
Some research suggests that meditation may physically change the brain and body and could potentially help to improve many health problems and promote healthy behaviors. #NIH; #science; #meditation; #anxiety; #stress; #compassion; #focus; #bloodpressure