Since ages past, meditation has been practiced by countless people for its many benefits. Practicing meditation as part of your daily routine might lead to improvements in your outlook and attitude.
Most forms of meditation call for the spine to be straight and the posture to be erect. The explanation for this is that sitting upright encourages the movement of your spiritual energy. This is believed to be your life energy or force.
Even though a straight back is almost universal in the different approaches to meditation, some spiritual traditions and meditation instructors advise a variety of postures. Here's a look at a few of them.
1. Seated posture. The individual sits upright while maintaining a straight back. Spine and head are aligned and straight. The thighs are parallel to the floor. Hands are placed comfortably on the knees or chair arms.
2. Cross legged posture. This is one of the most popular positions, and includes the lotus position.
3. Kneeling posture. The person is positioned with both knees resting on the floor. Buttocks remain resting on the heels and toes, which are close together. The hands are placed on the thighs.
4. Lying down posture. This is also called the corpse position or, in yoga, savasna. The person lies down on the floor keeping the legs unbent and at ease. This position isn't used often because it copies the innate position of sleep. The individual can occasionally nod off. This is more useful for stress reduction rather than as a meditation method.
In addition to these postures, there are several gestures and movements that can be incorporated into the practice of meditation. Included in these are hand motions which are termed Mudras. A theological meaning is at the root of these gestures. Coming from the yogic philosophy, they can impact your consciousness. A typical example is the placement of hands in Buddhist meditation. The right hand reposes on top of the left hand with thumbs touching.
You can also encourage a state of meditation through the use of repetitive activities like deep breathing, chanting and humming. There are also those who use walking meditation. It's common to keep the eyes closed or partially open while meditating. Those who practice Soto Zen meditation, however, do so with their eyes open looking at a wall.
To gain the benefits of meditation, follow the training of the type of meditation you have decided to practice. Be aware that persistence and acceptance are required to achieve success. This could be of help at times when you find difficulty in meditating, and it will also improve your concentration in daily life.
Most forms of meditation call for the spine to be straight and the posture to be erect. The explanation for this is that sitting upright encourages the movement of your spiritual energy. This is believed to be your life energy or force.
Even though a straight back is almost universal in the different approaches to meditation, some spiritual traditions and meditation instructors advise a variety of postures. Here's a look at a few of them.
1. Seated posture. The individual sits upright while maintaining a straight back. Spine and head are aligned and straight. The thighs are parallel to the floor. Hands are placed comfortably on the knees or chair arms.
2. Cross legged posture. This is one of the most popular positions, and includes the lotus position.
3. Kneeling posture. The person is positioned with both knees resting on the floor. Buttocks remain resting on the heels and toes, which are close together. The hands are placed on the thighs.
4. Lying down posture. This is also called the corpse position or, in yoga, savasna. The person lies down on the floor keeping the legs unbent and at ease. This position isn't used often because it copies the innate position of sleep. The individual can occasionally nod off. This is more useful for stress reduction rather than as a meditation method.
In addition to these postures, there are several gestures and movements that can be incorporated into the practice of meditation. Included in these are hand motions which are termed Mudras. A theological meaning is at the root of these gestures. Coming from the yogic philosophy, they can impact your consciousness. A typical example is the placement of hands in Buddhist meditation. The right hand reposes on top of the left hand with thumbs touching.
You can also encourage a state of meditation through the use of repetitive activities like deep breathing, chanting and humming. There are also those who use walking meditation. It's common to keep the eyes closed or partially open while meditating. Those who practice Soto Zen meditation, however, do so with their eyes open looking at a wall.
To gain the benefits of meditation, follow the training of the type of meditation you have decided to practice. Be aware that persistence and acceptance are required to achieve success. This could be of help at times when you find difficulty in meditating, and it will also improve your concentration in daily life.
About the Author:
Keira Adams writes about women's wellness and stress management, and is a great fan of meditation. Learn more about the many health benefits of this ancient practice by visiting Meditation Techniques: Relax Your Mind, Reduce Your Stress.
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