The Art of Meditation

It is not necessary to affiliate with any belief system in order to benefit from meditating.  Meditation can support your existing spiritual path whatever that may be, or simply to gain the awareness to discover the answers to life’s questions for yourself.  The beautiful thing about meditation is that no matter who we are, no matter our social status, each one of us has an inherent power to meditate.

The art of meditating is the ability to empty the mind or to concentrate the mind on one thing.  This aids in mental or spiritual development, contemplation, or relaxation.  When used as a way to develop concentration, undivided attention is placed upon a specific aspect of executing the mind and/or body in order to accomplish a certain goal or to develop a certain skill.

However and more commonly, meditation is used as a practice aimed at preventing natural thoughts from entering our mind by using deep breathing exercises to relax the body with the sole purpose of keeping the mind completely “blank” of any thoughts whatsoever.  Many call this “quieting the mind”; a method used to “shut off” the constant distractions of emotions, impressions, sounds, thoughts, visual images, worries, etc., that overwhelm us on a daily basis.

Meditation is also the practice of turning inward; a way to connect to our Higher Self, in turn bringing forth a clearer connection to the Creator.  In the stillness of meditation, we return to that deep inner nature to learn and train ourselves to “let go of the world”; taking the moment to release our stresses, tensions, judgments, conclusions, addictions, obsessions, aversions, and fears about ourselves or others.  In meditation we learn to harness, refine, and sensitize the power of awareness, where we can really experience and taste our full being, beyond all habitual patterns.

In conclusion, meditation is a life long practice that develops at a rate consistent with the amount of time and effort you devote to it.

“The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this life.  For it is only through meditation that you can undertake the journey to discover your true nature, and so find the stability and confidence you will need to live, and die, well.  Meditation is the road to enlightenment”. By Sogyal Rinpoche – The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying.

Why Should I Meditate?

By Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati

• Meditation gives you something that nothing else can!  It introduces you to yourself on all levels.
• Meditation brings to you:
• Awareness of your inner self and the capability to discover who you really are;
• Peace of mind, calmness, and a sense of well being;
• Personal, philosophical, and spiritual insights;
• The direct experience of your eternal center of being;
• The benefits of meditation are your birthright, whether you are Buddhist, Christian, Confucian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Lukumi/Yoruba, Muslim, Sikh, Taoist, follow some other religion or spiritual belief, or none at all.  [www.swamij.com]

Meditation Exercise - Full Body Awareness

By: Robert Morgen www.mysticwolfpress.com

Developing full body awareness is very simple and easy to learn.  In addition to feeling your breath flow and your stomach and ribs expand, I want you to feel the energy that flows into your body with each breath. For me it feels like a lightness, or a very light feeling. It may feel different for you so take some time here and just open up and feel the energy.

Now when you draw the energy in can you feel it pooling at your center of gravity just below your belly button? Now as you breathe just let that pool of energy expand throughout your body. Can you feel it flowing down through your legs and up your back and down your arms? Take some time here and practice this feeling that energy pool expand through your whole body. Later we'll expand it out even further, but for now just let it flow.

This exercise should help you to feel rejuvenated and refreshed as you're drawing energy from an infinite pool. Do this exercise whenever you're depressed or down, and eventually as you progress you'll learn to do it all the time. It's a habit that you have to grow into.  EVERYTHING is about 'Awareness' and 'Intention'. Now that you've begun to build an awareness of the energy, called Chi, Ki or Prana in some circles, you'll be able to do things with it and move it around in your (and other peoples) body.  We move energy with 'Intention', and this is a very important fact. EVERYTHING is energy! Our thoughts, our actions, our beliefs, everything around us and everything we see, feel, hear, think and do is energy. Intention is what we do with that energy.

We are all connected in a vast energy pool that encompasses everything that is, was and will be. It doesn't matter whether a person believes in it or can feel it; they still have the ability to affect it. How many times have you seen a person with a negative attitude who continually draws more negative reactions to himself? He's broadcasting his intentions through his attitudes with the result that he becomes a human 'crap magnet', drawing in all the negative feelings and emotions and experiences.

The other side of this is the continually positive person who always approaches everything from a positive attitude. This doesn't mean that everything always goes the way she wants it, but if you'll watch you'll see that even the bad times provide fuel for her growth and she tries to take every 'bad experience' as a lesson to help improve herself.

Just as our thoughts can influence Chi subconsciously, so can they move it around in our body. Energy follows thought, so when you think about moving energy then it will actually go where you send it. The important thing here is to stay out of its way. Energy moves in a spiral and at its own speed, so don't try to micro-manage it, just let it flow.    Now take some time and do the Full Body Awareness exercise again, and this time feel the energy go where you send it. You can also play with this a bit. Send it down to your feet, now bring it back to your center and this time just send it down to your left foot, now your right. Now send it up to your head, and down to your left elbow.

Now, the next time you're stuck in traffic, or impatiently waiting in line at the Motor Vehicles Office, just relax and start to play with this. Isn't this a neat toy?

What Is A Holistic Practitioner?

Holistic Practitioners are holistic healing professionals with a gift in one or more areas of healing. From bodyworkers to homeopaths to hypnotherapists, the term holistic practitioner has become one that is often challenging to describe or understand. Hopefully this article will provide you with some clarity on what a holistic practitioner is and how to find one that meets your individual needs.

Saying holistic practitioner is similar to saying doctor. While there are general practitioners that cross along many paths, most specialize in one or more holistic methods or areas. The main areas of specialization are body-centered therapists, energy-centered therapists, mind-centered therapists, soul and spirit-centered therapists, emotional release therapists, and coaches/counselors. All of these therapists strive to bring a greater quality of life to their clients. That may occur through inner balance, self-empowerment, physical ease, or even emotional confidence.

One thing to realize is that many holistic practitioners work in many areas. In fact, it is usually challenging to limit a practitioner to one area. For example, a hypnotherapist may also be a chakra therapist, a bodyworker could also be a spiritual counselor, etc. Also, since the mind-body-soul connection is just that, connected, wherever you begin, be it in energy work, bodywork, or even the mind, you will find that all of you is affected by the work.

Use this article as a guide to explore the realms of possibilities, rather than limiting your choices to an area.

Body-centered Therapists

Samples of body-centered therapists are bodyworkers, massage therapists, pilates and yoga therapists, rolfing professionals(often termed rolfers), acupressure therapists, myofascial release and sports massage therapists, reflexologists, thai massage therapists, watsu practitioners, feldenkrais and alexander method professionals, and movement therapists (this list is provided to offer an overview as there are at least 50 types of body-centered therapists).

While each body-centered therapist has their own way of working with clients, many use a combination of movement, the breath, and physical pressure (from massage to trigger points) to allow the body to release tension. This release of tension then allows the mind to also find a relaxing state. Sometimes the relaxation state is the goal of the sessions, other times, it is the true starting point.

Energy-centered Therapists

Samples of energy-centered therapists are integrative energy workers, reiki practitioners, healing touch practitioners, breathwork therapists, jin shin do and jin shin jytsu therapists, matrix therapists, applied kinesiologists, orgone therapists, polarity workers, cranial sacral workers, qigong and tai chi masters. Acupuncturists and homeopathy practitioners could also be deemed energy workers.

Energy workers often work with energetic ‘maps’ of the body. They look at where the energy is stuck, depleted or overtaxed in the body and work with the individual to bring a level of balance to the body’s energetic system. This balance also affects the mind and the overall body, enhancing ones state of being on many levels.

Mind-centered Therapists

Samples of mind-centered therapists are hypnotherapists, neuro-linguistic programming practitioners (NLP), integrative release therapists(IRT), regression therapists and metaphysicians.

Mind-centered therapists look at the structures of one’s belief systems and how they may be conflicting with and/or not supporting a client’s quality of life. Mind-centered therapists often find the original cause of what the stuck states are and work with the unconscious mind to reframe limiting patterns and beliefs which provide greater resources and confidence for the client to live the life they desire.

Soul and Spirit-centered Therapists

Samples of soul and spirit-centered therapists are shamans, angelic masters, psychic mediums,
intuitive guides and spiritual counselors(who would also fall into the coaching/counseling category).

Soul and spirit-centered therapists work with clients in a variety of ways. A shaman may work with a client using soul retrieval to regain a part of their soul that has been ‘lost’ due to trauma. A psychic may offer an individual information on what will happen on their current path if they don’t make changes. An intuitive may assist a client in talking with a deceased loved one. As with the other categories, there are many ways soul and spirit-centered therapists work with their clients.

Emotional Release Therapists

Samples of emotional release therapists are integrative release therapists, somato-emotional therapists, psych-k therapists and amanae therapists.

Emotional release therapists work with patterns of emotions that are stuck in the body/mind and assist a client in moving through these blocks into greater joy and emotional freedom. Many other therapies, including neuro-linguistic programming, yoga, shamanic work and energy work employ emotional release methodologies.

Holistic Coaches and Counselors

Samples of coaches and counselors are life coaches, empowerment coaches, spiritual and intuitive counselors, holistic psychologists, and nutritional counselors.

Coaches and counselors assist clients in designing and manifesting the life, career, business and health situations that they truly desire. A holistic coach or counselor often works with a client 1-4x per month setting goals, opening belief systems and partnering with the client to provide the support they need to move forward in their lives.

As you can see, the term holistic practitioner can be used to mean a holistic profession trained in any number of areas. Usually, a holistic practitioner will list their areas of expertise in any of their advertising to assist you in determining if they would be a fit for your unique situation.

For information on locating a holistic practitioner, please see my article on ‘Choosing a Holistic Practitioner’ or see Holistic Hometown (www.HolisticHometown.com) for holistic resources in your hometown, and beyond.

Blessings on your journey.

About the Author

Jenifer Shapiro, MBA, CHT, CNLP, CYT, CHC, IRT is a Professional Coach, Holistic Entrepreneur Coach, Web Designer, and Holistic. She is the founder of Holistic Hometown, Holistic University and The Empowerment Centre, and the consultant for various holistic entrepreneurs, local colleges, and wellness centers. She may be reached at www.TheEmpowermentCentre.com or (610)213-1010.