HEART DISEASE AND MEDITATION; HART AND MEDITATION; RESEARCH NOTES ON HEART DISEASE AND MEDITATION; HEART DISORDERS AND MEDITATION; MEDITATION FOR HEART PATIENTS; MEDITATION AND HEART PATIENTS; HEART PATIENTS; MEDITATION; EFFECT OF MEDITATION ON HEART; MEDITATION AND HEART ATTACK; (PERSONAL NOTES)

RELATION BETWEEN HEART AND MEDITATION

HEART DISEASE AND MEDITATION;

MEDITATION FOR HEART PATIENTS; MEDITATION AND HEART DISEASE; EFFECT OF MEDITATION ON HEART DISEASE; EFFECT OF MEDITATION ON HEART PATIENTS; MEDITATION FOR HEART; HEART AND MEDITATION; MEDITATION AND HEART; 

NOTE : It is STRONGLY ADVICABLE that - "TAKE PROPER GUIDANCE/ Method and/or CORRECT ADVICE from YOUR FAMILY DOCTOR / Naturopath before doing any exercise and/or meditation technique(s) - as some exercise and practice/s may be done under expert supervision.

Heart Diseases are more common in India as well as in Asian Countries, US Countries, UK, as well as / more commonly - all over the world.

Heart Disease or Cardiac Disease or Cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the Heart. As of 2007, it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.
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STRESS AND STRAIN OF LIFE
Mental tension, Emotional disturbance, Stress and Strain of life, etc. are the number one risk factor for heart diseases. racing ambitions, hurry and worry of modern life directly affect man's cardiovastular system. Mind is like a jokky and heart is like a horse. If the Jokky whips, the horse races fast. Similarly, when mind is tense, the heart over-functions. Modern man tends to run with time and, in turn, pays a very heavy price int he form of heart disease.
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PSYCHO-PHYSOLOGICAL EXPLANATION
ALTHOUGH modern man no longer faces physical threat to survival yet he responds to the day-to-day psychological stress by fight or flight mechanism although it is not required.  Stress abnormally disturbs on's cardiovascular functioning. This effect can be understood through several mechanisms of heart control.
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HOW TO HANDLE STRESS ?

UNDERSTANDING the effect of stress on heart is one thing and doing something about stress is another. Conventional psychologists have suggested a number of stopgap measures to reduce stress, but non of them gets at the root cause of stress; they merely seek to ameliorate currently stressful circumstances. Some of these ideas have been to change jobs, to find more leisure, to find someone to talk about on's trouble to, to take up a hobby, to change on's life-style and so on. the more perceptive doctors counsel the making of deeper psychological changes; to be honest with oneself and others, to act with maturity and to make decisions firmly, to give up artificial crutches like alcohol and drugs and to increase on's personal strength.
All of those goals may be good, yet the question remains how does one get the inner strength even to make those changes? And how does one get the peace and clarity of mind to realize what steps are really necessary and possible to effect those changes? And how does one get the flexibility to life even in what may be considered "Stressful" circumstances since it is not always possible to change external conditions without feeling distressed by them?

THAT is where the efficacy of Raja Yoga in treatment comes in.  It is not based on changing anything external, but rather on's internal responses to external demands.  Thus, the treatment is useful to everyone in all circumstances.  Moreover, just a few days of practice is sufficient to achieve mental and physical relaxation which in turn is enough to allow one to focus perception towards understanding and curing the personality factors which enter into stress produc tion.  That understanding is increased further by application of the spiritual knowledge of which meditation is based.
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RELAXATION RESPONSE : The value of relaxation has also been documented medically, A neuropsychiatrist of California, Late Dr. David Fink, wrote thus in this connectin: "Relaxation stops the emotions that prod the interbrain and forebrain into misbehaviour. Skill as well as good health depend upon relaxation". This, relaxation is the first step towards good health.
EXTERNAL events themselves generally do not raise menntal tension. Rather, it is the repeated thinking over of an event "I can't believe th boss said that to me what nerve he actually said that" - the repetition going on both consciously and unconsciously, awake and asleep - which raise mental tension levels to dangerous heights.

THE control over the mind achieved through Raja Yoga practice makes us able to halt this repeated brooding over stressful events. We become able to easily re-charge our mental energies into positive and even blissful directions, and to intuit solutions to stress-causeing events which are life -enchancing for all concerned, rather than negative or distructive towards self or others.

TRANSFORMATION OF ATTITUDES

WE know that Under the same set of circumstances, one person, may become anxious while another can remain cheerful.  The difference has to do with attitude towards the event and more with on's general personality and understanding of life.  By gaining spiritual insight into the laws of human actions and interaction, our attitudes towards life-situations naturally tend to become tolerant, positive and creative. This gives us the means to retain stability and peace of mind even under adverse conditions.

IN the words of Dr. Fink (from his book, "Relief from Nervous Tension"): "Your attitudes are the higher-ups, the big shots in your mental life. They are the habits that sit in the driver's seat. When you can boss them you are in the control of your life. You become invulnerable and nothing can hurt you".

OR in words of the pioneer in stress research, Dr. Hans Seye: "Rather than relying on drugs and other techniques, I think there is a better way to handle stress. Attitude determines whether we perceive any experience as pleasant or unpleasant".

"I have found the fundamentals of Raja Yoga Meditation extermely beneficial for developing the positive attitudes. For example, if someone gets angry or criticizes a Raja Yogi, he thinks: 'We all are actors on the world drama, playing a definite role allotted to us. I should not worry about the activities of others. I must try to play the role given to me in the best manner.  When he behaves according to his nature, I also should behave according to my original nature of being a peaceful and loving soul.  I remain detached and peaceful because I am just an observer of various scenes of the world drama. Whatever percentage of truth lies in the criticism, I must accept and change myself.' If a near relatives dies, then, under stress, caused by bereavement he thinks; "This is an event, where the actor has just changed his costume (body) for playing another role. Indeed, the Soul is eternal, indestructible and immortal.  Thus the soul whom I love is not dead.  The soul still continues to play its role somewhere else.  I must not feel sad about the event. On the contrary, I should send good wishes and vibrations of peace".

IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE THINKING
if you expect failure and think about

NATUROPATHY AND YOGA, - A WAY OF LIFE, NATUROPATHY IS A WAY OF LIFE

WHAT IS NATUROPATHY, DEFINITION OF NATUROPATHY; 

ALL ABOUT NATUROPATHY;

NATUROPATHY

 "Naturopathy is a Way - of - Life"

According to the basic concept of Naturopathy or Nature cure-a drug-less therapy, (i.e. without modern system of medicine); healing comes from within the body itself. That is to say, there are self-curative forces which are inherent in the human body working towards healthy and healing. In fact, a Naturopathy simply provides required guidance, whereas self-control, diet control and exercises to be adopted by the patient play a major role in the healing process.

As said in Patanjli & General Yoga and Hath Yoga : योगश्चित्तवृत्तिनिरोधः (अर्थात : मानसिक संवेगों पर काबू पाना ही योग है) : meaning: control over mind and thoughts is called 'YOG' or 'YOGA';

Accumulation of waste products in the body by eating wrong type of food, over-eating or poor digestion and assimilation, is considered one of the major causes of ill-health and various diseases. Nothing eliminates these waste products more effectively than fasting and enema. The human body is a sophisticated but tough machine, Most of the diseases can be treated and cured by cleansing the body through nature, eleminative and physiological processes.

Naturopathy believes that the germs which causes disease appear and flourish only where morbid matter has accumulated. Hence, a disease cannot attack unless there is already a soil in which the germs can thrive. When waste products in the body become very strong, the self curative forces (vitality) work at low pace and nature loses its fight, disease results in.

Now let us alalyze how Naturopathy works. :
It starts at the root and treats the disease with cold water treatments like hip bath, mud pack, stomach pack, enema and gastro-hepatic pack (mostly cold treatments on the abdomen).  The parasites or amoebae cannot thrive in the cold, whereas heat is conducive to their survival.  Hence, they start dying or running out slowly but steadily.  Even the cysts are destroyed or damaged.  Thus the breeding and growth of the parasites are restricted.  With the help of the above treatments, fasting and enema, the entire army of parasites is drained out through the rectum in a period of 15 to 20 days, if taken continuously.  Thereafter, the patient is gradually brought to normal diet.  At the same time one must learn Yoga and continue exercises or/and brisk walk every morning after which one will never have this problem again.

The main problem is to remove the morbid matter, stuck in the cells of the liver, inside the abdomen, intestines etc. and to clean the system and get rid of various diseases generated by this morbid matter which gets accumulated due to bad and irregular eating habits over many years. No other method except Naturopathy, not even surgery, can remove this hard-stuck morbid matter which is like pitch or gum, what to speak of medicines! But Naturopathy can and the way it works can better be explained by an example. Take an envelope with a stamp strongly pasted on it.  Can you remove it simply by pulling it? NO, you will have to soften the glue with water, rub it cautiously for some time and only then will the stamp slowly come out. Naturopathy works the same way and hip bath, mud pack, enema, fasting, exercise, yoga etc. play the same role as water in cleansing the system which is not possible by any other medicl process.

In the order of healing sciences, Naturopathy stands first, but unfortunately,it is practiced last after hopelessly trying all other medical sciences.  It is beyond doubt that nature cure is a sure cure for a majority of the diseases and though inexpensive it is very effective. In other words, it is a drug-less healing which is unique because it has no side-effects. For most of the diseases, headache, asthma blood pressure, gastric, locomotive and liver disorders, - some regular exercise and simple treatment which can be taken even at home are effective.  Nature Cure or Naturopathy is curative, preventive and also educative - more likely we can say "NATUROPATHY IS A WAY OF LIEFE". and ( :-) Yoga is Brother of Naturopathy ;-)

WARNING : If you are new in this field - then - Please take medical / Naturopath advice before taking any of the treatment.

SOME TREATMENTS IN NATURO-PATHY

The following simple treatment(s) are given for various sufferings :

1. ABDOMINAL COLD COMPRESS : (COLD TOWEL PACK) - Dip a towel in cold water, remove excess water, place the towel on the abdomen, covering it with another dry towel, reverse the towel after 10 min. - so that the top portion touches the abdomen and leave it there for another 10 min.; if necessary repeat the process.
   Note: (if feeling some confusion or abnormality - consult a good Naturopath);
   Effects: It increases the blood circulation to the abdominal organs, activates metabolic functions, reduces inflammation and calms the nervous system, It produces a feeling of comfort and relieves pain and congestion in digestive, reproductive and urinary organs.
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2. ABDOMINAL PACK : Take 2 cotton cloths of 2-2  1/2 meters long & 1/2 meter wide, a Blanket or flannel 1x1/2 meter.
   Duration is : 1 Hour
   Procedure : Dip cotton cloth in cold water, remove excess water, Wrap the cloth around the abdomen from lower part of the ribs to the groin. Over this, wrap the dry cloth and finally the flannel so that the pack fits snugly.
   Uses : useful in gastritis, hyper-acidity, indigestion, poor blood circulation to the liver, jaundice, constipation & other complaints related to abdominal organs.
   (Note : It is better to consult with a experienced Naturopath - it is recommended).
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3. FOMENTATION : Take a Hot Water bag or cotton cloth, wrung in hot water, a cold compress, and a Dry Cloth.
   Water Temperature : 42 - 45 Degree Celsius.
   Duration : 5 - 7 Minutes.
   Procedure : When the hot water bag is used, it is advisable to cover the area of application wit a cotton cloth wrung in cold water. Fomentation is then applied over it After the application is over, a cloth dipped in cold water should be placed on the area of application for 1 - 2 minutes. After removing the wet cloth, the area should be covered with a dry cloth for at least 30 to 40 minutes.  If the symptoms recur, application should be renewed.
   Uses : For relieving acute pain in any part of the body, especial in the abdomen, it is an invaluable treatment.  In arthritic pains, this may be repeated twice or thrice in a day for better result. or in cases like bronchitis, asthma, respiratory problems, pleurisy, fomentation to the upper back gives immediate relief.
   (Note: in any complication - consult with a good Naturopath).
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4. COLD HIP BATH : Take a hip bath tub with any Naturopath or Yoga Material/s shop, a moderately coarse cloth (the size of a handkerchief).
   Water Temp.: Cold 18 - 24 Degree Celsius.
   Duration : 15 minutes or as indicated by naturopath.
   Procedure : Fill the tub enough to cover the hips, generally four to six gallons or as per the body of patient. If the patient feels chill or if the climate is very cold, a hot foot bath should be given along with the cold hip bath.
   i) The patient should gently rub the abdomen around the navel in clockwise direction with the coarse wet cloth.
   ii) Continued during the entire period of the bath.
   iii) legs, feet, upper part of the body should be thoroughly dry and should not get wet during and after the bath.
   iv) Wear shoes before entering the bath.
   v) after the cold hip bath - the patient should undertake moderate exercise like brisk walking, yogasanas, suryanamaskaar aasaana, suksham vyaam, etc.
   Note if the patient is very weak - then he/she should lie down in bed covering with a blanket.
   Uses : A cold hip bath is a routine treatment for almost all diseases. The treatment is meant to relieve constipation, indigestion, obesity, sexual power, some bowling related problems, obesity and to help the eliminative organs function properly.
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5. STEAM INHALATION : Take an equipment for facial sauna (normally available to all chemist shops); if not available - take boiling water in a vessel till - steam is generated.
   
   NOTE : Be careful of burning and protect your eyes.
   Duration : 5 - 8 Minutes.
   Procedure : Switch on the equipment, when steam is generated - sit on the stool in front of the equipment, bend over it, inhale the steam through nose and mouth accordingly, (by covering the head with a Turkish Towel), Care should be taken not to inhale too much steam as it destroys the sensitivity of the noseand irritates the eyes, Wash the face gently with cold water and dry.
   Uses: it is useful in treating cough, cold, diphtheria, tonsillitis and sinusitis.  In acute inflamation of the pharynx, larynx and in cases where the eustachian tube is blocked due to cold, steam inhalation gives immediate relief.
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6. ENEMA : Enema is an injection of fluid into the rectum.  This is slso known as rectal irrigation.
   Materials Required : Enema can (enema pipe, cane, tube - will be available at all naturopathy store or hospitals in your area).
   Water Temperature : Only Lukewarm Water (suitable to body or as per body temprature);
   Procedure : patient should lies down on his right, extending his right leg and folding the left leg at a rght angle. The enema nozzle which is smeared with oil or vaseline is introduced into the rectum. Slowly the can is raised to a height of 3 ft from the patient and water is allowed to enter the rectum.  If the patient feels pain during this process, the height of the cn should be reduced and during the process, the height of the can should be reduced and the flow of water stopped for a while.  The pain will then subside, The enema can is again raised to 3 ft. Generally two to four pints of water is injected into the rectum. Great care should be taken to avoid entry of air into the bowels as this may cuse severe colic pain.  When there is pain due to gases, while giving enema, a gentle massage over the colon region will relieve the same.  Large quantities of water should not be injeced as this may sometimes cause damage by distending the colon.  The water has to be retained for a least five to ten minutes.  The patient should take a short walk while retaining the water and then go to the toilet where he should slowly expel the water along with accumulated morbid matter.  The patient should not hasten to release all the water at once.
   Uses : warm water enema is helpful in cleansing the rectum of the accumulated faecal matter.  This is the safety system known to the medical world for cleansing the bowls.  This also improves the peristaltic movements of the bowls and thereby relieves constipation, Cold enema at 18 deg. C is helpful in inflammatory conditions, specially dysentery, diarrhea, ulcerative colitis, haemorrhoids and in fever.
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7. MUD PACK (Local Application) :Mud procured for treatment propose should be black cotton soil with greasiness and free from pollution. (it is suitable to take the soil below 2 - 4 feet of the ground level, or where the road digging is going on);
   Note : Only take neat and clean (natural) mud for this purpose.
   Method : it is applied by keeping soaked mud in a thin, wet muslin cloth and making it into a thin flat brick depending on the size of the patent abdomen.  The size of mud pack is generally 10"x6"x1" for adults.
   Duration : is approximately 20 - 40 Minutes depending upon the health of the patient as well as weather;
   Uses : relive in Indigestion, remove toxins from body / abdomen, to control acidity, stimulates peristalsis, if put on head - relive hdadache and various other disease - for better result consult any naturopath.
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8. OIL MASSAGE (also dry massage - i.e. without Oil) : always remember to do massage from other body parts towards heart.
   Uses : it improve blood circulation, improve circulatory system, relax, nourishment various body parts.
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    FOR NATUROPATHY AND YOGA CONSULTANCY CONTACT :
    for Delhi, NCR, Noida, (India) people - Contact : Dr. Sonu Kumar - Naturopath, IFNHY, NDDY, (Mob: 09250950118 - Noida Sector 12 - only Saturday - Sunday - with appointment only)

According to Wikipedia : Naturopathy, or Naturopathic Medicine, is a form of alternative medicine based on a belief in vitalism, which posits that a special energy called vital energy or vital force guides bodily processes such as metabolism, reproduction, growth, and adaptation. Naturopathic philosophy favors a holistic approach, and, like conventional medicine seeks to find the least invasive measures necessary for symptom improvement or resolution, thus encouraging minimal use of surgery and unnecessary drugs. According to the Association of Accredited Naturopathic Medical Colleges, "Naturopathic medicine is defined by principles rather than by methods or modalities. Above all, it honors the body’s innate wisdom to heal." According to the American Cancer Society, "Available scientific evidence does not support claims that naturopathic medicine can cure cancer or any other disease, since virtually no studies on naturopathy as a whole have been published."

The term "naturopathy" is derived from Greek and Latin, and literally translates as "nature disease". Modern naturopathy grew out of the Natural Cure movement of Europe. The term was coined in 1895 by John Scheel and popularized by Benedict Lust, the "father of U.S. naturopathy". Beginning in the 1970s, there was a revival of interest in the United States and Canada in conjunction with the holistic health movement.

Naturopathic practitioners are split into two groups, traditional naturopaths and naturopathic physicians.Naturopathic physicians employ the principles of naturopathy within the context of conventional medical practices. Naturopathy comprises many different treatment modalities of varying degrees of acceptance by the conventional medical community; these treatments range from standard evidence-based treatments, to homeopathy and other practices sometimes characterized as pseudoscience.

Naturopathy is practiced in many countries, primarily the United States and Canada, and is subject to different standards of regulation and levels of acceptance. The scope of practice varies widely between jurisdictions, and naturopaths in unregulated jurisdictions may use the Naturopathic Doctor designation or other titles regardless of level of education.

The philosophical and methodological underpinnings of naturopathy are sometimes in conflict with the paradigm of evidence-based medicine (EBM).Many naturopaths have opposed vaccination based in part on the early philosophies that shaped the profession.

What is Meditation ? Definition of Meditation ? About Meditation; Meditation to Know Myself; Meditation in Clinical Practices

What is Meditation ?

Meditation is the process of getting to know myself completely, both who I am 'inside' and how I react to what is 'outside'. Above all, meditation is enjoying myself in the litral sense of those words. Through meditation, I discover a very different 'me' from perhaps the stressed or troubled person, who may seem superficially to be 'me'.  I realise that my true nature, the real me, is actually very positive, I begin to discover an ocean of peace right here on my own doorstep.

There is a lovely Indian story about a quen who had lost her valuable pearl nacklace. In great distress, she looked everywhere for it and, just when she was about to give up all hope of ever finding it, she stopped and realised it was right there around her own neck ! (kasturi kundli base mrug dhunde ban-mahee - कस्तूरी कुंडली बसे मृग ढूंढे बन-माही);

The word 'meditation' is used to describe a number of different uses of the mind, from contemplation and concentration to devotion and chanting. The word itself is probably derived from the same root as the Latin word 'mederi', meaning 'to heal'.

Meditation can certainly be looked on as a healing proces, both emotionally and mentally, and to a certain extent, physically too. The simplest definition of meditation is: the right use of the mind or positive thinking. It is not to deny thoughts, but to use them correctly. Most forms of meditation employ two main practices: concenration exercise, often using an object such as a flower or a candle, and the repetition of a mantra. A mantra is a sacred phras, word or sound which is repeated constantly, either loudly, silently or in thoughts only. It translates literally as 'man' = mind and 'tra' = to free.

According to Wikepedia :

Meditation refers to any of a family of practices in which the practitioner trains his or her mind or self-induces a mode of consciousness in order to realize some benefit.

Meditation is generally an internally-invoked, personal practice, which an individual can do by themselves. Prayer beads or other ritual objects may be used during meditation. Meditation may involve invoking or cultivating a feeling or internal state, such as compassion, or attending to a specific focal point. The term can refer to the state itself, as well as to practices or techniques employed to cultivate the state.

There are dozens or more specific styles of meditation practice; the word meditation may carry different meanings in different contexts. Meditation has been practiced since antiquity as a component of numerous religious traditions.

A 2007 study by the U.S. government found that nearly 9.4% of U.S. adults (over 20 million) had practiced meditation within the past 12 months, up from 7.6% (more than 15 million people) in 2002.

Since the 1960s, meditation has been the focus of increasing scientific research of uneven rigor and quality.  In over 1,000 published research studies, various methods of meditation have been linked to changes in metabolism, blood pressure, brain activation, and other bodily processes. Meditation has been used in clinical settings as a method of stress and pain reduction.

MEDITATION PRACTICE : 

1. Sit in a confortable place, free of noise and suitable for Spiritual Health Conditions, you can either sit on a cushion on the floor cross-leged or, if this is uncomfortable, sit on a chair, choos a quite place away from noise or visual distraction.
2. If available with you - then you may use Gentle background music, for relaxing.
3. Position with the back straight. 
4. Either Concentrate on Oooouuuuummmmm or Do as follows :

THOUGHTS FOR MEDITATION 

Let me imagine the nothing exists outside this room.... I feel completely insulated from the outside world and free to explore my inner world.... I turn all my attention inward, concentrating my thought energy on the centre of the forehead... I feel a sense of detachment from my physical body and the physical surroundings... I become aware of the stillness around me and within me ... A feeling of natural peacefulness begins to steal over me.... Waves of peace gently wash over me, removing any restlessness and tension from my mind... I concentrate on this feeling of deep peace.... just peace .... I am peace.... Peace is my true state of being... My mind bcomes very calm and clear..... I feel easy and content... having returned to my natural consciousness of peace... I sit for a while, enjoying this feeling of calmness and serenity .....

Plan to practice repeating these or similar thoughts to yourself for about ten minutes at least two times a day. The best time is in the morning - after a wash or shower, before you begin yor day's activities. Another good time is in the evening, when your day's activities are over. During the day, while performing any activities, keep reminding yourself: 'Peace is my true nature'. As you keep practicing this meditation, such positive and peaceful thoughts will arise in the mind more and more easily, and peace of mind will become increasingly natural.
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MORE LIGHT ON MEDITATION : (BUDDHIST FACTS ABOUT MEDITATION): New and Ancient Research on Meditation : Different Type of Latest Meditation Techniques: Latest Research On Meditation:

Techniques, Benefits & Beginner’s How-to Silence the mind:

Meditation is an approach to training the mind, similar to the way that fitness is an approach to training the body.

But many meditation techniques exist. So how do you learn how to meditate?

“In Buddhist tradition, the word ‘meditation’ is equivalent to a word like ‘sports’ in the U.S. It’s a family of activity, not a single thing,” University of Wisconsin neuroscience lab director Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D., told The New York Times. And different meditative practices require different mental skills.

It’s extremely difficult for a beginner to sit for hours and think of nothing or have an “empty mind.” But in general, the easiest way to begin meditating is by focusing on the breath — an example of one of the most common approaches to meditation: concentration.

Concentration Meditation:

A concentrative meditation technique involves focusing on a single point. This could entail watching the breath,

repeating a single word or mantra, staring at a candle flame, listening to a repetitive gong or counting beads on a rosary. Since focusing the mind is challenging, a beginner might meditate for only a few minutes and then work up to longer durations.

In this form of meditation, you simply refocus your awareness on the chosen object of attention each time you notice your mind wandering. Rather than pursuing random thoughts, you simply let them go. Through this process, your ability to concentrate improves.

Mindfulness Meditation:

Mindfulness meditation technique encourages the practitioner to observe wandering thoughts as they drift through the mind. The intention is not to get involved with the thoughts or to judge them, but simply to be aware of each mental note as it arises.

Through mindfulness meditation, you can see how your thoughts and feelings tend to move in particular patterns. Over time, you can become more aware of the human tendency to quickly judge experience as “good” or “bad” (“pleasant” or “unpleasant”). With practice, an inner balance develops.

In some schools of meditation, students practice a combination of concentration and mindfulness. Many disciplines call for stillness — to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the teacher.

Other Meditation Techniques:

There are various other meditation techniques. For example, a daily meditation practice among Buddhist monks focuses directly on the cultivation of compassion. This involves envisioning negative events and recasting them in a positive light by transforming them through compassion. There are also moving meditations techniques, such as tai chi, chi kung and walking meditation.

Benefit/s of Meditation:

If relaxation is not the goal of meditation, it is often one result of it. Back in the 1970s, Herbert Benson, MD, a researcher at Harvard University Medical School, coined the term the relaxation response after conducting research on people who practiced transcendental meditation. The relaxation response, in Benson’s words, is “an opposite, involuntary response that causes a reduction in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.”

Since then, studies on the relaxation response have documented the following short-term benefits to the nervous system:

1. Lower Blood Pressure, Improved Blood Circulation, Lower Heart Rate, 
2. Less Perspiration, Slower Respiratory Rate, Less Anxiety, Lower Blood Cortisol Levels.
3. More Feelings of Well-being, Less Stress, Deeper Relaxation

Contemporary researchers are now exploring whether consistent meditation practice yields long-term benefits, and noting positive effects on brain and immune function among meditators. Yet it is worth repeating that the purpose of meditation is not to achieve benefits. To put it as an Eastern philosopher might say, the goal of meditation is no goal. It is simply to be present.

In Buddhist philosophy, the ultimate benefit of meditation is liberation of the mind from attachment to things it cannot control, such as external circumstances or strong internal emotions. The liberated, or “enlightened,” practitioner no longer needlessly follows desires or clings to experiences, but instead maintains a calmness of mind and sense of inner balance.

How to meditate: Simple meditation for Beginners:

This meditation exercise is an excellent introduction to meditation techniques.

1. Sit or lie comfortably. You may even want to invest in a meditation chair.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Make no effort to control the breath; simply breathe naturally.
4. Focus your attention on the breath and on how the body moves with each inhalation and exhalation. Notice the movement of your body as you breathe. Observe your chest, shoulders, rib cage and belly. Make no effort to control your breath; simply focus your attention. If your mind wanders, simply return your focus back to your breath. Maintain this meditation practice for 2–3 minutes to start, and then try it for longer periods.

WHY MEDITATION ? WHAT IS THE NEED OF MEDITATION ? WHY DO WE NEED MEDITAION ?, EFFECT OF MEDITATION, MEDITATION IN DAILY LIFE, MEDITATION AS A MEDICINE, MEDITATION FOR MIND & SOCIETY, MEDITATION FOR SOCIAL LIFE, MEDITATION FOR SELF CONFIDENCE

WHAT IS THE USE OF MEDITATION ? or WHY WE NEED MEDITATION ?

People want a variety of things from meditation. some come for peace, others for control, some for power and some for silence, but of all the reasons, the ones which are most often expresed are peace or peace of mind. At first sight there doesn't seem to be much difference between the two but, on closer inspection, we find that they are asking for different things. Peace is simply an experience, whereas peace of mind is a way of life.

While I go about my daily life, I need to be in control of myself to the extent that I can have whatever experience I choose when I choose. To experience constant peace of mind, I need something more than just a meditation technique. After all, in the middle of a dispute with the bus conductor or taxi driver etc - over the change, I can't just sit myself down and spend five minutes deliving into the deep recesses of the self to regain the temporarily-lost inner peace! It is the experience of peace, previously gained through meditation, which I need to be able to use later on in my practical life, expecially at times when it is not easy to be peaceful.  If I can't use my meditation to bring benefit into my daily life, is it really of any use to me ?

Therefore, the emphasis in this meditation course will be a double one:

FIRSTLY : to teach a simple, effective method of meditation called Raja Yoga, and to discuss and experience with ideas on how to depend the experiences gained;

SECONDLY : to look at the reasons behind stress and tension in our life so that, through understanding,

we can begin to change the root cause, using the poer gained through meditation, and also, to discuss how I can translate peaceful feelings into peaceful actions, so that peace becomes peace of mind.

Sleeping Styles, Sleeping with Feet Facing South, How to Sleep, Where to Put our Head When Sleeping

Introduction to Sleeping with Feet Facing South

In this article series about saattvik living pertaining to various aspects of how to sleep well, we are looking at various parameters of how to sleep well. In this article we will study the effect of sleeping with our feet facing the South direction. This study into how to sleep well is entirely from the spiritual perspective. It will help us take an educated decision about how to sleep well from the perspective of the direction of our feet when we sleep.

1.1 Spiritual research into how to sleep well – effect of sleeping with our feet facing the South

The effect of sleeping with our feet facing the South from the perspective of how to sleep well was investigated at a spiritual level by seekers of SSRF having advanced sixth sense or extrasensory perception (ESP). The divine knowledge that they received was verified by His Holiness Dr. Athavale.

2. Spiritual effect of sleeping with feet facing South

2.1 Increase in activity of the downward and tiryak frequencies

There are various frequencies inherently present in the atmosphere. Their presence and flow is predominant in certain directions. When our body is aligned with the direction of their flow we enter their field and are influenced more than when we are not in their field. Among these frequencies are 2 distressing or negative types of frequencies. One is the downward flowing frequencies that go towards the region of Hell (Paataal) and the other is a type of frequencies known as the tiryak frequencies. Tiryak literally means skewed. As these frequencies are skewed, they cause distress. Both these frequencies move in the southern direction. Hence this direction is charged with these frequencies.

When we sleep with our feet facing the South direction, our body is most exposed to the activity of the downward frequencies as well as tiryak frequencies. This increases the activity of the subtle basic raja-tama particles inside as well as outside the body. This increased activity of the subtle basic raja-tama component aids the activity of the ghosts (demons, devils, negative energies, etc.). Thus we are most at risk of being affected or possessed by ghosts.

2.2 Increased flow of vibrations from the region of Death (Yamaloka) and region of Hell (Paataal)

The South direction is associated with the region of Death (Yamaloka), the subtle basic raja-tama frequencies and distress. When we sleep with our feet facing the South direction the vibrations from the Yamaloka (region of Death) and Paataal (region of Hell) join together.

Due to this we attract the subtle basic raja-tama frequencies or ghosts. Due to the combined effect of the above when we sleep with our feet facing the South, we can suffer distress in the form of difficulty in falling asleep, nightmares, feeling scared in sleep or waking up in fear.

3. In summary

Thus from the perspective of how to sleep well, it is important to take into account the direction of our bed when planning the layout of the house. Even when we are camping outside or in hotels or in someone else’s house it is best to take care that we do not sleep with our feet facing the South.

In the following articles in this series in how to sleep well, we will consider the effect of sleeping with our feet facing the other directions.