The Two Main Reasons People Fail At Mindfulness And Meditation

1) Intellectualising Meditation I’ve been trying to express the inexpressible since 2003 when I started teaching meditation. I took on the burden of having to articulate and teach something which at its heart is an existential experience of being. It’s like trying to explain the colour of blue to a person who has been blind
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5 Things That Stop People Experiencing The Pure State Of Meditation

The pure state of meditation is beyond time because it is eternally present. Discovering and realising this ‘hidden in plain sight’ natural treasure is the purpose of meditation. Zen master Dogen advises to sit with the confidence that you are already Buddha, Tibetan yogi’s suggest to just sit and not change or fabricate anything and
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4 Steps From Mindfulness To Mysticism – A Meditation Path To Enlightenment

A Complete Meditation Path To Enlightenment When I discovered this meditation system while living at a Tibetan Buddhist centre it changed everything for me. At the time I was engaged in all sorts of spiritual Tibetan Buddhist practices including making prostrations to Buddhas, reciting daily prayers and making imaginary offerings to gurus, attending complicated philosophical
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8 Powerful Spiritual Heart Practices Of Sufi Meditation

Sufism is the esoteric path within Islam, where the goal is to purify oneself and achieve mystical union with the Supreme (named Allah in this tradition). The practitioners of Sufism are called Sufis, and they follow a variety of spiritual practices, many of which were influenced by the tradition of Yoga in India. In this post, I’ll explore
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Tibetan Master Teaches How To Do Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness
In mindfulness meditation, or shamatha, we are trying to achieve a mind that is stable and calm. What we begin to discover is that this calmness or harmony is a natural aspect of the mind. Through mindfulness meditation practice we are just developing and strengthening it, and eventually we are able to remain peacefully in our
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5 Ways To Transform Running Into A Powerful Meditation

When I began running, naturally I found myself applying the principles of meditation to my exercise. For me, this seems natural because running is a training of the body, and meditation is a training of the mind. Ideally, we do not have to decide which is better. Both are natural parts of who we are.
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The Dalai Lama Says The Heart Of Meditation Is To Discover Innermost Awareness

Innermost awareness
Innermost Awareness Is The Essence Of All Tibetan Buddhist Teachings I have great interest in the statement by many wise persons in all the orders of Tibetan Buddhism that their systems come down to the same final principle, and I feel that this is what I should and must explain. Such an exploration may be
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How To Recognize Dzogchen’s Five Principles Of Enlightenment

The first principle is becoming aware of our thoughts and the nature of thought. By taking the position of just being an observer of the thoughts and images that come and go we recognize all thoughts are the same: they are temporary appearances that come and go like clouds in the sky. Give no importance to
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The Powerful Chinese Meditation Of Silent Illumination

Silent Illumination Silent illumination is a Buddhist practice that can be traced back not only to Huineng (638–713), the sixth patriarch of Chan, and other Chinese masters but also to the early teachings of the Buddha. In the Chan tradition, silent illumination is referred to as mozhao, from the Chinese characters mo (silent) and zhao
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9 Attitudes To Deepen Your Mindfulness

These 9 attitudes that help deepen your mindfulness come from the secular guru of modern mindfulness Jon Kabit Zinn. Jon has been tirelessly working to bring mindfulness into the arena of medicine and healing and the popularity, research and huge movement that mindfulness has become is largely due to his efforts. Jon created MBSR or
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Russell’s Brand Of Spirituality Is Daily Access To Unseen Realms Of Power

Inner Power
Daily Access to Unseen Realms of Power What I have discovered is that meditation is useful for me not because I am unique but because I am a human being and meditation is applicable to all human beings and the good thing about that is everyone reading this article is also human. As people we
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Why Guidance In Meditation Is So Important

guidance
Everyone Needs Guidance Everyone needs guidance in meditation whether you sit in front of the teacher in a group while they give you instructions or whether you get instructions first and then go away to meditate. It is important to know exactly what you’re doing and why you are doing it. The only exception is the
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Why Repeating A Mantra Is So Powerful And How To Do It

I have been teaching meditation for over ten years and practising and studying the various systems for more than fifteen years I understand the mechanism of various meditations, but I must admit when I was going through anger and depression issues the one meditation that saved me was meditating using a Mantra. It holds a special
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Why The Most Hardcore Warriors In History Practised Meditation

Zen
The Warriors In samurai culture, the greatest warriors sought a state of no-mindedness. There is no surprise that the samurai class in Japan took to the practice of Zen meditation. It blended nicely with the needs and values of their militaristic lifestyle, particularly in dealing with the issue of facing death, but also more broadly with
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Meditation As A Way Of Life

The Way of Meditation
The Way Of Meditation As A Way Of Life The way of doing anything is a word used to describe your style or approach to life. There are many ways of doing things and everybody has their own unique way. A master once said there are as many spiritual paths as there are people on the
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How To Find Perfect Balance Through Meditation

Balance is an amazing way to describe meditation and even life itself. For life to even exist on earth it needs the perfect balance of temperature; not too hot, not too cold and the perfect balance of oxygen and other elements which make up our atmosphere, which is our life support system. Tilt any of these out of balance
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The Five Ego Traps To Avoid in Meditation

ego
Spiritual Ego With so many people joining the meditation revolution what are some of the pitfalls to be avoided? Generally speaking meditation is meant to eliminate an ego or self centred attitude which always wants more and more and replace it with a serene and content, dare I say enlightened way of being, but is
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I’m Not Religious Or Spiritual I Just Meditate

Everyone Can Meditate Whether you are a Christian, Buddhist, atheist, right wing, left wing or if you’re in a punk rock band everyone can meditate. Lots of celebrities meditate: Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, Tina Turner, Richard Gere and Hugh Jackman, Dirty Harry himself, Clint Eastwood says he’s been meditating for 40 years using the TM method.
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Mindfulness Is More Effective Than Drugs For Both Anxiety And Depression

Mindfulness
Mindfulness is “the intentional, accepting and non-judgemental focus of one’s attention on the emotions, thoughts and sensations occurring in the present moment”, which can be trained by a large extent in meditational practices. The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published the results of a ground-breaking study that found that meditation appears to provide as much relief from
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15 Reasons Your Kids Should Be Meditating

Let’s face it, in today’s manic world our kids are stressed. From constant connection to technology to the demands of school, children feel more pressure. At times, they seem to have a constant ‘buzz’ in their head, preventing them from concentrating or even hearing us when we talk to them. This is no way for
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Modern Day Zen Master Reveals The Truth About Meditation Without The BS

True Meditation True meditation has no direction or goal. It is pure wordless surrender, pure silent prayer. All methods aiming at achieving a certain state of mind are limited, impermanent, and conditioned. Fascination with states leads only to bondage and dependency. In the end it’s all very simple. Either we give ourselves to Silence or we
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Vipassana Meditation: Finding Freedom Inside Jail

A form of meditation is being successfully used to improve the behaviour and well-being of prison inmates, says a study. The technique, known as Vipassana Meditation, has been offered in several prisons in India, the US and New Zealand. And it has also been tried on an experimental basis in Lancaster prison in the UK. Dr
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Meditation Master Reveals Powerful Meditation Methods

The first and most basic practice of meditation is to allow the mind to settle into a state of “calm abiding,” where it will find peace and stability, and can rest in the state of non-distraction, which is what meditation really is. When you first begin to meditate, you may use a support: for example,
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The Importance of Relaxation

Relaxation Would it surprise you to know that a calm relaxed state is everybody’s natural condition? This is the inspiring message from so many mystics and sages throughout the ages. So what stresses us out so much? Unrealistic goals and expectations. Having too much on your plate. Whether it’s you putting the pressure on yourself or your
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The Art of Simplicity

Simplicity
Simplicity In a fast paced busy world where every day gets quickly filled with activity and completing a ‘to do list’ it’s very easy to overlook the simple joy of ‘just sitting’ in meditation and the benefits it can bring to your life. Too often we get stressed chasing our tails taking care of business, family
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The Revolution of Meditation

Meditation has the potential to be a catalyst and driving force behind revolution in many areas of life. Meditation teaches the skills and attitudes which oppose and counteract the prevailing forces of authority and inequality of our time and offers a sustainable solution to violence and ignorance.  As the Dalai Lama says: “If every 8 year
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The Art of Doing Nothing

Doing Nothing Recently my mother met a friend on the street. “How’s your son doing? the friend asked. “Is he still unemployed?” “Yes,” my mother replied, “but he’s meditating now, so at least it’s better than sitting around doing nothing.” That was actually a joke, but it’s pretty close to the truth for me. The funny thing is that after years of studying
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The Top 20 All Time Best Meditation Quotes

Meditation Quotes
Meditation Quotes Meditation quotes from masters can be powerful tools for contemplation. In meditation traditions of old, the masters would hand down the essential advice of their system as ‘pith’ instructions. These where easy to remember and contained the condensed instructions of the master. Sometimes the students would go away for years just meditating on
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Revealing the Secrets of Tibetan Inner Fire Meditation

The title is not click bait, the instructions I am about to share with you are actually considered secret in the Tibetan Buddhist Vajrayana tradition. I studied the teachings of Inner Fire Meditation or Tummo in depth during my five years living and studying at a Tibetan Buddhist centre and got into a lot of
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6 Tips For A Great Meditation Posture

Meditation Posture Sitting in a good meditation posture seems to be a predominant obstacle for people to start a meditation practice or to keep going. These tips are to inspire people to find their own great meditation posture. The importance of a good posture is vital and even though meditation can be done anywhere at
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The Full Power Of Taoist Meditation And How To Do It

Taoist Meditation Origin & Meaning Taoism (Daoism) is a Chinese philosophy and religion, dating back to Lao Tzu (or Laozi). It emphasizes living in harmony with Nature, or Tao, and it’s main text is the Tao Te Ching, dating back to 6th century B.C. Later on some lineages of Taoism were also influenced by Buddhist
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A Meditation Master’s Zen Commandments

Dzogchen Master Lama Surya Das is a somewhat eccentric teacher ordained within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. He teachers in a down to earth and entertaining style that resonates with the modern person. He often translates ancient teachings into memorable sayings, he is always fresh and spontaneous and loves to laugh. He is also a brilliant mediation
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The Ancient Powerful Practices of Hindu Meditation

Hindu Meditation
Hindu Meditation Hinduism is a religion, or a way of life, found most notably in India and Nepal. With approximately one billion followers, Hinduism is the world’s third largest religion by population, and the majority religion in India, Nepal and Bali (Indonesia). Hinduism has been called the “oldest religion” in the world, and some practitioners and scholars refer to
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7 Meditation Tips From The World’s Happiest Man

Happiest Man A French genetic scientist may seem like an unusual person to hold the title – but Matthieu Ricard is the world’s happiest man, according to researchers. The 66-year-old happiest man turned his back on Parisian intellectual life 40 years ago and moved to India to study Buddhism. He is now a close confidante
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4 Buddhist Meditations and How To Do Them

How to meditate
Zen Meditation (Zazen) Origin & Meaning Zazen (坐禅) means “seated Zen”, or “seated meditation”, in Japanese. It has its roots in the Chinese Zen Buddhism (Ch’an) tradition, tracing back to Indian monk Bodhidharma (6th century CE). In the West, its most popular forms comes from Dogen Zenji (1200~1253), the founder of Soto Zen movement in Japan.
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Contemplative Prayer And Christian Meditation

Christian Meditation
Christian Meditation Meditation is defined a mental exercise of regulating attention, either by focusing it on a single object (“focused attention meditation”), or by keeping it open flowing through whatever is in our present moment experience (“open monitoring meditation”). It involves relaxing the body, calming the mind, going beyond discursive thinking, and looking inside. The
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The Essential Principles of Zen Meditation

Zen
Zen The Zen Way is basically perfect and all-pervading. How could it be contingent upon practice and realization? The Way of Meditation is free and untrammelled. What need is there for concentrated effort? Indeed, the whole body is far beyond the world’s dust. Who could believe in a means to brush it clean? It is
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How To Be Free From Karma And Addictive Behaviour

Karma
Karma Karma means conditioned action. Meditation Master Lama Thubten Yeshe calls it ‘habit energy’. When you are controlled by habit energy that’s what the Buddhist call being trapped in Samsara the wheel of suffering; trapping you within an endless cycle. Another name for it is addiction. There is another way of being, an enlightened way, where you are
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US Schools Encouraged to Teach Meditation and Emotional Intelligence

Meditation Taught in Schools What if schools taught kids mindfulness, meditation and empathy along with traditional academic skills? A new legislative act allows US schools to fund social and emotional learning (SEL) programming. Mediation and mindfulness is extremely important in schools to allow children to relax. Some schools have even introduced an emotional intelligence test
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The Difference Between Mindfulness and Awareness

Awareness
Meditation is working with our speed, our restlessness, our constant busyness. Meditation provides space or ground in which restlessness might function, might have room to be restless, might relax by being restless. If we do not interfere with restlessness, then restlessness becomes part of the space. We do not control or attack the desire to
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5 Tips on How To Start A Daily Meditation Practice

Meditation Practice Journey
Daily Meditation Practice Daily meditation practice is an essential part of a mentally healthy life. The enormous scientifically proven benefits of meditation make it as vital to good health as exercise or nutritious food and yet so many people struggle to make it a daily routine in their lives. These five tips are a great way to establish a daily
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In a World Under Threat: How to Heal the World?

In a world under threat we need someone to Fry, to blame, to judge, to hang from the rafter………we want payment. But how do we heal? When in a state of fear, fight or flight………..a very simple understanding that almost none understand. When we are in a state of fear real or imagined to varying
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Meditation and the Practice of Generosity

Generosity In the Buddhist tradition, which I trained in for ten years, generosity is one of the six major practices for a meditator on the path to enlightenment. I never really understood the connection between generosity and meditation but over time it has become clear to me that there is more to the practice of
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How To Face Your Fears In Meditation

Face Your Fears You know, I face fear every day. Every time I post a piece of writing, a piece of my soul, I feel the reverberation of creation. As I create, I feel the urge to destroy. Not good enough. Not fresh enough. Not true enough. You will tell me when my words are stale? Darling? You will tell me
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Discovering Real Love Through Meditation

Love After three years of meditation I was beginning to gain insights into this idea known as Love. The insights came subtly, one by one. Gaining the insights was a little bewildering, and applying them and integrating them is even more so. A lifelong practice, I am sure. I’ve always been a romantic. I believe I have an unrelenting thirst
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I’ve Finally Realised Why Meditation is So Important

“Sometimes I can feel my bones straining under the weight of all the lives I’m not living.” Why meditate? So you can see your own pain from all ways! By breathing consciously and bringing attention to that which can be left to the subconscious, we give ourselves a gift of openness and malleability. Sitting often develops humility, tempering confidence into
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Knowledge of the Absolute True Self

I am composing the Atma-Bodha, (Knowledge of the Absolute Self) for those who have purified themselves through training and are peaceful in heart and calm, who are free from cravings and are desirous of liberation.  Just as the fire is the direct cause for cooking, so without Knowledge no freedom can be had. Compared with all other
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How to Release Negative Emotions

Negative Emotions Do you sometimes feel oppressed by negative emotions such as fear, anxiety, anger, shame, worthlessness, or depression? Are you open to discover a way to manage them – and transcend them – that requires no medication nor years of psychotherapy? I have good news for you. Ancient wisdom traditions of the East – such as Buddhism,
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Zen Master’s Teaching on Enlightenment

Enlightenment is not difficult for those who have no preferences. When clinging and rejection are both absent everything becomes clear and undisguised. Make the smallest distinction, however, and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart. If you wish to see the truth then hold no opinions for or against anything. To set up what you like
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8 Paths of Yoga by Patanjali

The 8 Paths Of Yoga The Yoga Sutra is considered the fundamental text on the system of yoga, to help you cultivate body, mind, and spiritual awareness. The eight limbs work together: The first five steps — yama, niyama asana, pranayama, and pratyahara — are the preliminaries of yoga and build the foundation for spiritual life. They
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Sex Therapists Reveals 5 Tips On How To Engage In Mindful Sex

5 Tips For Mindful Sex 1.Treasure Remember dating your partner? You chose sexy underwear in the hopes you’d make love tonight. You experimented with seduction and sexual techniques. You treasured your beloved. In other words, you made an effort. But now, many years later, sexuality may have become a neglected part of your relationship. If
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7 Types Of Wisdom Accessed After Spiritual Awakening

You may have heard the idea of a true and authentic self. In Buddhism it is called Buddha Nature, in Hinduism it is simply called the Self with a capital ‘S’ to relate its universal nature and in new age terms it could be called the great spirit or ‘Source’. Whatever you call it it’s
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What I Learnt Training in a Zen Monastery

Zen Monastery To say that life at the Zen temple was simple would be an understatement. There was no time for wandering, chit-chatting or, needless to say, using technology. No TV, no phones, no entertainment. And almost no choosing. Every hour of the day was scripted into a very clear and tight routine – seated meditation, working
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How to Meditate in Just One Minute

How To Meditate Have you ever used the excuse I don’t have time to meditate? Well there’s no excuse because meditation can be practised in just one minute. This exercise helps you to centre yourself by finding a place of detached peace within that can be accessed at any time of the day or night. Meditation
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Why Meditation IS Naturally Perfect Just As It Is

Dzogchen The following words are from a great Tibetan Buddhist meditation master Dilgo Khentse Rinpoche  who is speaking from the perspective of the Dzogchen tradition of Tibet. Dzogchen translates as the great natural perfection. In its essence Dzogchen cuts straight to the heart of meditation to realise the perfection of the moment which skillfully stops any aversion
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5 Valuable Lessons I Learned from Mindfulness Meditation

Mindfulness Meditation What can meditation / mindfulness do for you? What is all the fuss about? Here is a personal account of my experience with mindfulness meditation, and what I’ve learned along the way. For me it all started over 14 years ago, when a friend of mine invited me to go to a two-hour workshop
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Dissolving the Ego in Meditation

Ego While the ego works tirelessly to feed itself, the soul can ‘be’ to embrace itself. Meditation is a great way to ‘let go’ of the world around you. Meditation is the practice of turning inwards to the force that lies within. It is a tool that every human being has the ability to do, yet
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How To Find Abundant Love Through Meditation

Love Having been meditating and studying Buddhism for over 15 years the question of how meditation and love go together has always intrigued me. In the practices I’ve learnt they are often presented as separate in theory and somehow are meant to fit together. Buddhism is abound with meditations on loving kindness and compassion and
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Meditation Vs Religious Belief

religious belief
Religious Belief Religious Belief is one thing, reality is another. One leads to bondage and the other is possible only in freedom. Belief can never lead to reality. Belief is the result of conditioning, or the outcome of fear, or the result of an outer or inner authority which gives comfort. Reality is none of
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The Power Of Now Is The Essence Of Meditation

The Power Of Now Instead of “watching the thinker,” you can also create a gap in the mind stream simply by directing the focus of your attention into the Now. Just become intensely conscious of the present moment. This is a deeply satisfying thing to do. In this way, you draw consciousness away from mind
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Meditations for Sick and Dying People

Helping The Dying For those who have advanced illness and are dying but are still conscious there are a number of simple meditation techniques or visualisations that can be very helpful. For those who are anxious or fearful of dying, teaching them relaxation or guiding them through a simple relaxation technique can be very beneficial.
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Meditation – The Journey Within

The Greatest Journey Is Within Health is defined as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. With the rapid advancement in medical sciences we are now able to find cures for almost all diseases and ailments. There are treatments for every condition of body.
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Coming To Rest Within A Naturally Perfect Meditation

Ultimately all meditation is for discovering your true self. All relative meditation training is all a lead-up to the great leap into your true self, the union with the truth of your being. Once all doubt has been resolved, one is ready to accept and see one’s ultimate identity as simple, lucid and complete. Your actual nature is perfect
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How To Practice Meal Time Mindfulness Meditation

Meal Time Mindfulness Meditation As a great Zen Master, Thich Nat Hahn says, the only thing that you should be putting in your mouth and chewing is the food. That probably sounds quite simple, but often when we sit down to eat, we’re still planning, we’re still thinking, perhaps even having a busy luncheon with
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Simple Instructions on HOW TO MEDITATE

I would like to offer very simple and effective instructions on how to meditate that is both relaxing and profound. It is the integration of Buddhist mindfulness and insight meditation. It is designed to calm your mind, focus your attention and bring a self awareness of your authentic nature. It is the meditation technique that I use everyday.
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Seeing The Mind As Pure Is Meditation

The Mind Is Already Pure About this mind in truth there is nothing really wrong with it. It is intrinsically pure. Within itself it’s already peaceful. That the mind is not peaceful these days is because it follows moods. The real mind doesn’t have anything to it, it is simply (an aspect of) Nature. It
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Why Meditation Is Vital For Everyone

Knowing Ourselves Is Vital Meditation practice awakens our trust that the wisdom and compassion that we need are already within us. It’s vital to help know ourselves: our rough parts and our smooth parts, our passion, aggression, ignorance, and wisdom. The reason that people harm other people, the reason that the planet is polluted and people and animals
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10 Life Changing Skills Developed in Meditation

Ten Skills Developed In Meditation Meditation brings many benefits to our health and well being. These are very real mental skills that can benefit all areas of your life improving relationships, work and play. Here are 10 life changing skills developed in meditation training. 1) The skill of being able to consciously relax. Using deep breathing
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An Enlightened Smile Is The Key To Relaxation And Joy

enlightened
Enlightened Relaxation People are generally clued in that we hold tension in our neck and shoulders. Zen meditators often suggest being thankful for the zen stick struck lightly over their shoulders to relieve tightness and stay alert. The lesser known region for the accumulation of stress is in the face and the powerful method of
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Tuning Into Peace And Wisdom With Meditation

Tuning into wisdom
Meditation Is Tuning In A person has three dimensions of their being that can be accessed at any time through meditation. The three layers of wisdom are the body’s wisdom the heart’s wisdom and the mind’s wisdom. Meditation is contacting our total being by tuning into these three dimensions of our existence to access their inherent wisdom, love and harmony. The
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Driving Yourself Sane with Meditation

sane meditation
Going Sane ‘Wisdom of the ordinary’ is how the old school Zen Masters would describe being sane. Being sane is simply life as it is. Right now. Infuriating to grasp intellectually; the way of meditation is mysteriously simple. Just seeing things as they are before getting caught up in descriptions, evaluations or stories of the present
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