Basic Meditation - Ch 0: OVERVIEW

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This is meant to be a beginner's intro and guide to meditation - a "how to". As such, I will try to keep it short and to the point, though I will spend a little time on some background and detailed information.

For those more interested in the "shut up and tell me how to do it" version, you may skip ahead to chapter 2 - relaxing. Though I would recommend enjoying the whole journey, as that is kind of the point of meditation . (And while I do like to hear myself talk, I'm sharing info I think helps put context and meaning to the practice).

Meditation is only one tool in a present box that delivers healthy mind and healthy body. All of the benefits from meditation can be enhanced with the inclusion of a healthy diet, and exercise.

A good meditation session in the morning, can take you through the entire day! It sets you up for the day, before the day's stresses set in. We can think of this as the day's prophylactic (protection) for mind and body.

BENEFITS:

There are many peer reviewed studies that vouch for the validity and benefits of meditation.

Here's a partial list of benefits from the Mayo clinic, and other reputable sources (in no particular order):

- Gaining a new perspective on stressful situations.

- Building skills to manage your stress.

- Increasing self-awareness.

- Focusing on the present.

- Reducing negative emotions.

- Increasing imagination and creativity.

- Increasing patience and tolerance.

- Controls anxiety.

- Promotes emotional health.

- Lengthens attention span.

- May reduce age-related memory loss.

- May help fight addictions

- Improves sleep

- Helps pain control

- Can decrease blood pressure

Have i caught your interest? There's something for everyone!

WHAT IS MEDITATION:

Meditation is simply a practiced, attention driven methodology to relaxation. Our brains are very much like a muscle - you use it or you lose it. The ability to meditate is one form of workout for our brain/muscle.

Meditation is a learned technique, and the more we practice, the better we become. Some benefits come right away, others come with practice.

Meditation is a practice that teaches us to focus. This ability helps us in many ways - such as avoiding focus on negative things, and holding attention on positive things, or tasks. The more you practice, the better you get, at meditation, and the better you get with all the benefits.

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