Day: December 27, 2010

Natural home remedies: potatoes

Natural home remedies: potatoes

HOw to use the simple potato to relieve stomach upsets, wounds and inflammations.

The potato is native to South America and was transported to Europe in the mid-1500’s by Spanish sailors. It wasn’t until the 1800’s however that the potato became a staple food in Europe where it gained popularity for its nutritional benefits. Today there are more than 100 potato varieties. They come in many sizes, shapes and colors (yellow, white, red and even blue). Despite the physical differences, all varieties of the potato offer similar health benefits.

The components of potatoes consist of a high complex of carbohydrates, fiber and proteins. Included also are vitamin A, B-complex, and C; copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, niacin and potassium. The skin is high in nutrients, and if possible the skin should be eaten or if not, peel as close to skin surface as possible to maintain the nutrients that cling closer to the skins

The potato is a member of the nightshade family, and does contain very small quanities of atropine. This substance is deadly in large amounts, but in small doses it has antispasmodic effects, making potatoes useful for easing gastrointestinal pain and cramping. Potatoes can also be used externally for muscle pains and skin problems.

One of the therapeutic effects of potatoes come from the alkaline juices that can neutralize the stomach acids and relieve stomach upsets. Another is also to make potato water that will cleanse intestines and reduce the amount of acid in the gastointestinal system. To make the water you wash and dice a large potato. Steep it overnight in one cup of water to which you add a pinch of sea salt. Strain and drink the water every morning on an empty stomach.Potatoes are also used for inflammation and for pain relief. Use of the potato wrap has a long history as a folk remedy for all types of muscle and bone pain. Potatoes retain heat for long periods of time, allowing the warmth to penetrate deep into the tissues. To make this wrap, boil 1 lb. of potatoes in their skins until tender. Place them in a linen sack and mash them. Apply the sack to the affected area, placing a towel underneath the sack if too hot. Attach the sack tightly to the body with a woolen blanket. Remove the sack only after it has cooled down completely. On the flip side, raw potatoes have a very cooling effect. Raw potato slices bring fast relief from swelling and itching caused by contact dermatitis and insect bites. The slices are also effective for bruises and sties. For this effect, peel and slice a potato and apply the slice to the affected skin until the potato warms up. For slow healing inflammations and wounds, grate three raw potatoes and moisten them with milk. Wrap then in a linen cloth and apply to the affected area.When storing potatoes there are a few tips to remember. Discard any potatoes that have excessive soft or sprouts. Look for any green spots or small sprouts and before cooking; peel this thoroughly. Mature potatoes may be stored up to two months, new potatoes can be stored for one week. Remember to use skins as much as possible to maintain all nutrients, and if not, to peel as closely to skin as can.

Natural remedies for arthritis

Natural remedies for arthritis

Natural treatments and remedies for arthritis sufferers. This list is for informational use only, please consult your physician before switching medications to natural remedies.

Arthritis sufferers all over the world are ever seeking relief for their pain. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this problem contrary to what many pharmaceutical companies claim. Taking their medicine will not cure any type of arthritis. Speaking to your physician for the latest research about your specific type of arthritis would be beneficial for finding pain relief.

With the rise of medications (and their prices) available to patients suffering with this ailment, many still prefer to seek natural remedies. This could be for any variety of reasons:- The patient may have tried several medications that are either not working as well or at all for them anymore.

– The patient may not believe in healing their body chemically and wishes to find an organic remedy.

– The patient may not be able to afford their prescription medication anymore, so they are seeking a less costly alternative.

– The patient is concerned with side effects associated with a particular medication prescribed or suggested to them by their physician.

Listed below are several alternatives to arthritis medications. Before taking yourself off your current medication, it is strongly advised that you meet with your physician first. These are by no means medical claims; they are merely suggestions for those who are curious or seeking more information. Listed below are also common concerns, usage and (or) side effects related to each remedy.

– Acupuncture

– Animal foods: avoid them. Arachidonic acid found in meat provokes joint inflammation.

– Bee/snake venom: Little scientific backing, real chance for allergic reaction.

– Chondroitin: helps draw fluid into cartilage, improving shock-absorbing ability.

– Elimination diets/weight control: more weight equals more joint pressure. It is debatable if fasting reduces symptoms or not.

– Fish oils: controls inflammation in the body. Examples of other oils also used for the same purpose: flax, borage, sesame, sunflower and pumpkin.

– Food allergies: linked to many causes for arthritis. Common foods to look out for: wheat, corn, dairy, citrus, salt, caffeine, tomatoes, white potatoes, eggplant and peppers. (does not include black peppers)

– Ginger: Anti-oxidant, inflammatory with no major side effects.

– Glucosamine sulfate: builds cartilage with very few side effects.

– Magnets: results are still preliminary. Most commonly used in jewelry, clothing, and bed linens. It is stated that many of the magnets available on the market are not strong enough.

– MSM: Organic sulfur used to reduce inflammation.

– Nettle leaf: Reduces need for NSAIDS by 70% (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

– Vitamin E: An antioxidant used primarily for osteoarthritis.

– Yoga, meditation, creative visualization and imagery.

– Aroma therapy

– Osteopathy and chiropractic therapy – Homeopathy- Environmental medicine- Pantothenic acidThis is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what arthritis sufferers can do when seeking natural remedies. Due to the lack of scientific study for many of these treatments, there is still cause for concern. Consult your physician, visit your local library or visit your favorite bookseller for more information and other alternatives.

Home wart remedies

Home wart remedies

Learn to remedy warts safely at home with these traditional and alternative treatments.

Warts are benign tumors most often caused by a virus that develops on the outer skin layer. Warts are non-cancerous growths which can develop at any age, but are more commonly found on children and young adults. The size and shape of an individual wart is entirely dependent on the particular type of wart and its location of growth.

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICSAlthough each type of wart has distinct characteristics, all warts have similar patterns and appearances, which help to distinguish them from other growths and conditions. Always confirm with your doctor that your skin growth is not cancer. General signs and symptoms of warts are:

Tiny growths that grow continuously.

Growths with rough surfaces.Growths with clearly defined borders.Growths which are the same color as the skin (with the exception of Flat and Common warts).Smaller growths which form a circle around one central, usually larger growth.Painless areas of thickened skin.CAUSESWarts are caused by the “papilloma” virus, which invades the epidermis layer of skin. As the virus spreads, it stimulates certain cells to grow at a faster rate than normal, forming a wart. Warts can spread from person to person through general contact such as:Use of public bathing/showering facilities.Skin trauma.Skin to skin contact.Sharing footwear.Sharing head wear.A NOTE ABOUT WART TREATMENTThe type of wart you have and its location will determine which treatment approach is best. A small number of warts (20%) will disappear on their own within a month of infection. Without therapy, warts generally disappear within 1-3 years with little or no scarring.TYPES OF WARTSCOMMON WARTSCommon warts are small, but firm growths of skin that often appear in areas which are injured frequently. Typical signs of common warts include:Round, rough edged growths of skin on the body or hands.Irregular growths of skin which are colored yellow, brown, or gray.Small growths on the skin measuring no more than one-half inch across.Irregular sized growths which have a rough surface.Small growths on knees, elbows, scalp, or around fingernails.TRADITIONAL TREATMENTSACID TREATMENTDaily applications of solutions or plaster preparations containing salicylic, lactic acids or cantharidin will aid in softening the infected skin, allowing it to be peeled off safely. Salicylic and lactic acids can be applied twice daily for up to 6-weeks.LIQUID NITROGENA doctor can also use Liquid Nitrogen as a treatment for Common warts. Liquid Nitrogen works by freezing the skin and in essence, burning the wart from the body. This process takes 2-4 weeks to complete and usually requires multiple visits.LASER SURGERYLaser surgery or electrodesiccation is another popular treatment for Common warts. Through means of electrical current, doctors are able to destroy the wart completely in one sitting. However, some scarring will occur.PLANTAR WARTSPlantar warts form on the soles of the foot, where they are usually surrounded by a thickened area of skin. Other symptoms of Plantar warts include:Tender areas of skin on the sole of the foot.Small, bleeding sores on the sole of the foot.Flattened, blister-looking irritated areas of skin.TRADITIONAL TREATMENTACIDSPlantar warts are easily treated with solutions containing salicylic acid. Preparations are sold as plaster formulas or liquid and are available at most drug stores. Salicylic acid treatments can be applied twice daily for 4-6 weeks.PADS AND CUSHIONSSpecially sized pads and cushions can be purchased over the counter to minimize the pain and discomfort of Plantars warts, and make walking easier.BENZOYL PEROXIDEBenzoyl peroxide can be applied to Plantars warts several times daily to help cleanse and soothe irritated tissue. Apply liberally with a cotton ball after washing, and allow to dry before covering.FLAT WARTSFlat warts are most common in young adults and children and present themselves in groups of small sores. Symptoms include:Smooth, brown or yellow brown areas of skin.Brown or yellow groups of raised skin on the face.TRADITIONAL TREATMENTPEELING AGENTSMost Flat warts respond well to a therapy of peeling agents containing retinoic. Such agents will allow the skin of the wart to easily free itself from the body.ACIDSSolutions containing salicylic acid also work well on Flat warts. Salicylic acids work in a similar fashion to peeling agents, in that they allow the wart’s infected skin to break free from the rest of the body, facilitating quicker healing. Apply salicylic acids twice daily for up to 6-weeks.FILLFORM WARTSFillform warts can appear anywhere on the body and are common in all age groups. Typical symptoms of Fillform warts include:Long growths around eyelids, face, neck or lips.Small growths on face or neck area.Narrow, long growths that appear to blister and break open.TRADITIONAL THERAPYSPECIALIZED FORMULASFillform warts also respond well to solutions containing salicylic acid. However, since Fillform warts commonly form around the eyes, eyelids and mouth area, at-home treatments with basic solutions are not recommended. Look for specialized over-the-counter remedies, which state they can be used around sensitive eye and lip tissue.WART PREVENTIONLike most medical conditions, warts can be prevented. To prevent spreading:Never scratch or pick at a wart.Wash hands frequently.Cover cuts and scratches with bandages to prevent further contamination to damaged skin.Don’t touch warts on others.Don’t share footwear or head wear.Wear shoes or protective footwear in public bathing/shower areas.Wash infected skin often once it blisters or bursts open.ALTERNATIVE THERAPYALOEAloe has been used for nearly 2,000 years as a wart treatment. Applied externally in cream form or directly from aloe plant, aloe eases discomfort and helps to speed healing.LEMON OILOne drop of Lemon (essential) oil applied directly to infected skin can help to eliminate most types of warts.MILKWEEDThe white sap from milkweed is used internationally to treat wart removal. Apply directly from plant or use topical creams.DANDELION SAPDandelion sap is a time-honored treatment for the removal and cleansing of warts. Apply sap directly to wart, as needed.

Nutritional and healing benefits of honey

Nutritional and healing benefits of honey

Honey has been used by doctors for hundreds of years and has been revered for its healing properties, which include preventing infection, helping soothe ulcers, and treat diarrhea.

Throughout the centuries, honey has held a place in popular culture. Besides the stories of that beloved bear Pooh, always pursuing the ever elusive honey pot, Greek mythology tells of a tale in which the life of Zeus is saved by bees feeding him honey. Though it is technically not much different than table sugar, there seem to be healing properties hidden in its gooey goodness.

Doctors have been using honey in healing for centuries. There are three ingredients in honey that make it ideal as a healing compound. Many types of honey are found to be high in hydrogen peroxide, which you probably use at home to disinfect scrapes and cuts. In addition to this disinfecting power, the high sugar content in honey is great for absorbing moisture inside wounds. This makes it difficult for bacteria to survive. The final blow is propolis, a compound found in the nectar of some honey, which can actually kill bacteria. Dr. Peter Molan has been researching honey at the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand for 15 years. In his research he has discovered that honey effectively kills all seven types of bacteria that can cause wound infection.

Not only has it been found to stop infection outside your body, but certain types of honey have been found to stop infections inside your body as well. A study conducted at the Honey Research Unit discovered that a certain type of honey, indigenous to New Zealand, has been found to kill the bacteria that forms ulcers in the stomach. Ulcer sufferers were given 4 tablespoons of honey a day and 100% of those involved in the experiment found relief from their ulcer symptoms. Traditionally, children suffering from diarrhea have been given a sugar solution to help rehydrate and replace essential minerals. Researchers in South Africa have discovered that honey can be more beneficial than sugar in these instances, because the bacteria-killing compounds in the honey can actually kill the bacteria found in the intestine that can be causing the diarrhea. On the opposite side of the problem, honey can also be used as a cure for constipation. The high amounts of fructose in honey cause it to arrive in the large intestine undigested, which begins a fermentation process. This process allows fluid to be drawn into the bowel which acts as a laxative.

When shopping for honey, however, there are two things you must be aware of. Always buy raw honey. Once honey has gone through the high heat processing procedure, it loses a great deal of its healing power. When choosing raw honey , be sure to choose Manuka honey. This honey is produced in New Zealand, where the bees feed on a particular type of flowering shrub. Manuka honey has the highest anti-bacterial compound composition. It can usually be found in health food stores. Be sure to read the label and look for the words “active Manuka honey” This will be the most effective honey in your fight against bacteria and is especially effective against stomach ulcers.

What is St. Johns Wart?

What is St. Johns Wart?

What St. Johns Wart is–an herb, used for its healing characteristics. St. Johns Wart can be made by you easily.

St. Johns’ Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is a common wild plant that grows in much of Europe and North America. If it grows near you, or if you plant this perennial plant in your garden, you can easily make your own medicinal tincture, for a fraction of the cost of store-bought St. Johns’ Wort tincture.

First, get yourself a good plant identification book, and make sure you’re finding real St. Johns’ Wort. I recommend any book written by Michael Moore–his books are a wealth of information about herbal medicine. Or get a knowledgeable “plant person” to show you. Once you see it, you’ll always be able to recognize it. To be sure you’re looking at the real thing, hold one of the tiny leaves up to the light. If it’s St. Johns’ Wort, the leaf will appear to be covered with teeny little holes you can see light through. Remember that scientific name: Hypericum perforatum. That refers to those little pinprick windows in the leaves.

Caution: There is an ornamental plant sold by some nurseries that is called St. Johns’ Wort. It’s not the medicinal kind. Ask for the scientific name and look for those little “holes.”

To make your tincture you need a wide-mouthed jar and lid and some 190 proof grain alcohol (AKA “Everclear”). Please note that this is drinking-type alcohol, NOT rubbing alcohol.

If you can’t get 190 proof alcohol, you can make do with 100 proof vodka, but your final product will be inferior.

When the plant blooms (usually June through mid-August in U.S.) pick the tops–flowers, buds, a few leaves and a bit of stem are fine. Wait until the dew dries to do your picking.

Let the flowers wilt at room temperature for a few hours or overnight. This drives away insects, and makes the next step easier.

Cram the wilted flowers into your jar, packing them tightly. If you don’t have enough to fill the jar, you can save wilted blossoms in your freezer until you have a jarful. Or just do a part jarful–but squish those flowers in there good.

Then pour the grain alcohol over the flowers, just covering them–there should just be a thin layer of liquid over the top. The liquid will immediately start turning red, which is a sign that the essential compounds are being pulled out of the flowers into the liquid.

Shake the jar gently once a day for two weeks, then strain off the liquid. Squeeze the plant mass really well to get all the juice out.

The usual dosage is 20-30 drops, 3 times a day in a little water.

Caution: Prolonged excessive dosages may cause sensitivity to sunlight.

Warning: St. Johns’ Wort can neutralize the effects of some birth control pills, and some medications for cancer treatment and for HIV. Consult your health care provider or pharmacist before using.

St. Johns’ Wort should not be taken if you are taking Prozac or similar anti-depressants. Consult your health care provider or pharmacist before using.

Herbs for healing

Herbs for healing

Some unusual herbs for healing to grow in your garden that can be used for herbal teas and poultices.

These days anyone can walk into a healthfood store and buy a wide range of vitamins and minerals and herbal remedies. They may or may not work; though there is often a placebo effect and we feel a bit better anyway.

But there is something rather charming about growing your own herbs and then turning them into healing infusions, poultices or other things. Admittedly it can take you a whole plant to gain the equivalent of a tub of tablets bought from the store, but the very process of growing and preparing the herb is soothing and makes you feel connected with the earth. It is worthwhile for minor ailments.

Arnica can be purchased in ointment form and is used for bruises. It causes the bruise to develop rapidly and therefore heal faster, and is very effective. The whole plant can be boiled down and made into a poultice to apply to the bruised area. It should not be taken internally.

Evening Primrose makes a strikingly beautiful garden plant, having profuse yellow flowers and attractive foliage. The seed oil is very high in GLA, which has been discovered to be a vital part of our diet. It is used by many women for pre-menstrual tension disorders, and is also used symptomatically for eczema and dry skin (taken internally). You may eat the seeds. It is currently being researched for possible applications in numerous areas including breast cancer and arthritis.Feverfew has attractive foliage and white daisy-like flowers. It is believed to cure migraines. A feverfew sandwich every day (the leaves in a normal sandwich) possibly prevents migraines. Prince Charles uses it.Licorice is the source of the popular sweet, though most of the sweets probably have synthetic licorice flavoring in them these days. The roots are boiled to extract the typical taste. It is useful for digestive irregularities including constipation.Russian Comfrey is used as a poultice to promote healing. It is very pretty, with white or pink flowers, and looks decorative in the herb garden. It has been used for thousands of years to help heal sprains and fractures.Self-Heal, or Heal-All, sprawls everywhere and has attractive purple or pink flowers. Its main use is for treating external wounds, though it can also be taken internally as a gargle.Valerian is a natural sedative. You can eat the leaves as they are, or make tea out of them. Many people prefer the tea sweetened with honey, and as honey is also a natural sedative this makes a great deal of sense. It has delicate pink flowers, making it yet another attractive addition to the herb garden. Its name is derived from a Latin word meaning ‘in health’.Wormwood, taken internally, helps regulate the stomach and gallbladder. It was a traditional remedy for dealing with internal parasites. It was also used in the distillation of the liquor Absinthe, which was made illegal after authorities realized that it was poisonous. The herb can be taken internally with care.If you are growing and preparing your own herbs, the easiest way to use them is in herbal teas or poultices. For tea, use the leaves (unless otherwise indicated), either dry or fresh, and steep them in boiled water for about five minutes. Many people prefer the taste of herbal teas sweetened with honey, and as I mentioned above, honey is a natural sedative and of great use in herbal medicine. For a poultice, also steep the leaves in a little water and then wrap them up in a clean cloth and place them on the affected area. Other forms of herbal preparation, such as distillation into oils, are too complicated to go into here and best left to the professional.There are many other healing herbs. All of the above are easy to grow in the average herb garden, and I have personally grown all of these and many more. No special gardening skills are required – if you can grow flowers

Herbs and health

Herbs and health

There are many herbs that are beneficial to health and well being. Many you can grow yourself and use in cooking and on food.

Herbs are an everyday part of our lives in cooking and there are few that do not know the common names and uses. The added flavour of basil with fresh tomatoes, parsley sprinkled on meat dishes and soups, the bay leaf added to stews and soups are all much enjoyed and, in most kitchens, a whole variety of fresh, or usually dried, herbs can be found.

What many do not know is that many of the common herbs, and a lot more of the lesser known, have medicinal properties and that these can be used to replace expensive OTC and prescription drugs.

The list is an extensive one and it is not possible to do more than highlight a few of them here. These, however, are herbs that can be easily grown, or will be found wild, in most places.

ALOE VERA: This is often found as a house plant and is typified by its thick succulent leaves. It is an excellent plant to use for soothing burns and certain types of skin condition such as eczema, pimples etc. To use, simply cut a leaf and apply the gel-like sap to the affected area.

ANGELICA: We know Angelica best for the candied stems used in cakes and for other flavouring. However, it makes an excellent tea for treating feverish colds.

BORAGE: Borage grows wild in much of North America and Europe but can also be cultivated. The young leaves can be used in summer salads and drinks but its medicinal properties can be best used by making an infusion or tea.Put 2 teaspoons of dried borage into 1 cup of boiling water and infuse for 10 – 15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day as an anti inflammatory.

BURDOCK: Burdock grows wild and, at season’s end, produces those seeds that stick so annoyingly to clothes when walking through the woods. Its root, however, is the source of one of the best blood purifiers.Boil 25 grams (1 oz.) of burdock root with 1½ pints of water until the liquid is reduced to 1 pint. Drink a wine glassful 4 times a day before meals.

CHAMOMILE: Chamomile tea can now be purchased in health food stores and even in general grocery stores and it is used to help with insomnia, anxiety or migraines. It is also very good in the treatment of sore throat, gingivitis and gastritis. Drink the tea throughout the day. For treatment of inflamed and sore eyes, use the cooled chamomile tea bags and place over the closed eyes for 30 minutes.

COMFREY: Comfrey is much used to maintain health in animals and cows, especially, will demolish a stand of comfrey in short order. It is, however, also excellent as an expectorant for bronchitis and irritable coughs and can soothe inflamed gastric and duodenal ulcers.Add 1 to 3 teaspoons of dried comfrey to 1 cup of water, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and drink three times a day until the condition eases.

FEVERFEW: This plant is part of the Chrysanthemum family and is excellent for the treatment of migraine, headaches and rheumatism. For headaches and migraine an infusion of both the leaves and the flowers should be used while, for rheumatism, the infusion of flowers alone is required.

LEMON BALM: The leaves of lemon balm can be used to repel mosquitoes and other flying insects. The juice from the leaves is good fro treating insect bites.

MARSHMALLOW: This can be purchased as a small plant and grown at home. A tea made from the leaves and flowers is good in the treatment of coughs and colds.

ROSEMARY: Rosemary oil can be purchased from health food stores, pharmacies and aromatherapy specialists. It can help relaxation and is supposed to be good for rheumatism. A tea, made from the leaves, is good for curing indigestion.

SAGE: Well known as a flavouring for food and in stuffings for poultry, sage is also good for treating colds and the ‘flu’ Make a tea using the leaves (quantity depends on taste) and drink three times a day.

THYME: We are missing only parsley for Simon and Garfunckel’s Scarborough Fair and thyme is another of those kitchen favourites. It is also excellent as a cough treatment and suppressant and should be used in tea form.

VALERIAN: Organic, OTC treatments for sleeplessness and stress will almost always include valerian as an ingredient. A tea made from the leaves is an excellent drink last thing at night.This is just a sample of the wide range of medicinal and helpful herbs. Many of them are now on sale in different forms in pharmacies and health food stores and you can take advantage of their healing properties without having to do much of your own preparation. Talk to the pharmacist or health store operator and seek advice.As with any medication, practice moderation and, if you are taking other medication, consult your physician before embarking on any herb related medication regimen.  

Spiritual places: Nature, stress relief, and meditation

Spiritual places: Nature, stress relief, and meditation

Ideas on how to find spiritual places and reconect with nature to enjoy serenity.

In times of stress we may turn to harmful means of comfort such as alcohol, drugs, overeating or other self-destructive behaviors. This in turn can cause us to become more depressed because we have compounded the problems we were originally seeking to escape. Often, we can become so worn down by our problems that we forget a whole world exists outside ourselves. Sometimes we lack to get the proper perspective on our problems because we have failed to connect with nature. There is a great part of our psyche that is soothed by the natural world around us and we fail to notice it because so much of it has been paved over in favor of larger cities and more office space. But city planners are starting to realize the effect a lack of natural habitat is having on our society. We are now starting to see a return to landscaping and green-space in new developments that are cropping up everywhere and there is a lot of wisdom in that.

Remember when you were young and climbed trees, played in the mud, picked flowers, played in the surf, and generally enjoyed communing with nature? Wasn’t it soothing to let your mind wander as you experienced the sight, smell and texture of everything the natural world had to offer? If you could return to your juvenile carefree lifestyle you would find that a lot of the cares and worries you have now would dissipate. In order to get some relief from a stressful world, every person must take it upon themselves to seek out their own spiritual places. That is to say, a special place in nature that moves you to reconnect with your spirit or inner self.

To find such a place involves a little bit of exploring and a little bit of reliving the past. If you can, try to remember a place you experienced as a child. It could be a campsite, a playground, your own backyard, a nearby creek or swimming hole or any other place you explored as a child. You may need to ask your parents or siblings of the names of places you visited in your travels if you can’t remember. If it is not possible to visit some of your childhood haunts then you need to replace them with like-minded places near you. Visit a stream, a forest grove, a hill, a lake, a mountain trail, a field, a bird habitat, a backyard garden or whatever moves you. When you go, take with you a notepad and write down some of your thoughts and feelings as you explore your surroundings. Ask yourself thought provoking questions about why the animals, the wind, the vegetation etc, behaves like it does. Meditate on the bigger questions of life. Study in great detail, the plants, insects, and life forms all around you. Make believe you are a child, experiencing all this for the first time. Concentrate on how it makes you feel. Revel in the beauty and glory of all that surrounds you. Tactually explore everything. Feel the bark, the moss, and the mud. Now, reflect on the sources of stress in your life. Ask yourself what importance they should play in your life.

When you return to your spiritual place frequently, you will automatically be reducing the importance you place on your problems. You will be making time to nurture you inner self and in so doing you will be redirecting your attention on to yourself and your loved ones. You can choose to visit your place either by yourself or with your family. If you choose to share it with your children you will be teaching them a valuable lesson on how to place importance and respect on their natural environment and more importantly, how to look inwardly to deal with stress, insecurity, strife and anger. You will be more relaxed to love and teach with patience and understanding and able to face problems with balance and good judgement. Nature has a way of centering you and clearing your mind to better equip you to deal with the true dilemma’s of life and recognize the former stresses for what they are, simple inconveniences. So make plans to find yourself a spiritual place and you will deeply enrich your life.

A five minute meditation exercise

A five minute meditation exercise

Simple meditation exercise steps for beginners who may never have meditated before. It takes only five minutes to get started and enter a peaceful place.

I learned to mediate only three years ago but it has made a major impact on my life. Whenever I am tense or overwhelmed with the responsibilities of life I can turn to mediation for a few moments to clarify my thoughts and enter a place of peace.

Why do we need to meditate? This world is filled with anxiety, worry and frustration. Negative forces surround, especially on TV with the daily bad news playing into our fears. Meditation can bring us lasting peace. We crave meditation because we have an inner hunger for quiet in our soul. We are body, mind and soul and yet the soul part of us is usually neglected.

Meditation requires conscious effort. The mind must be calm and quiet to benefit from the few minutes you take to meditate. We need to empty ourselves in order for our inner being to reach a level of peace.

What is meditation? It is communication with the Divine or a oneness with the universe. All that anxiety we feel in life is when we have stepped away from our purpose and allowed negative thoughts to control us. Is mediation a form of prayer? For many of us it is. For others it is a way to find inner peace. Meditation and prayer are not mutually exclusive. How we mediate is an individual matter but I offer some suggestions which work for me.

Set up a schedule. Perhaps at first you will meditate only for five minutes in the morning before going to work. Have the preparations completed the evening before. Then in the morning you will have everything ready for your meditation without rushing around.

Suggested items to prepare ahead of time:

A fragrant candle

sea shells (picked by you or purchased)

incense

Light the candle. Light the incense. Take a deep breath and let the calming air into your soul. Breath out the negative thoughts and fears. Look at the sea shells and picture yourself relaxing at the ocean. You are a child. You are happy and carefree playing in the surf. Keep your eyes open so that your vision is centered on the candle and sea shells. If you close your eyes you might fall asleep. As you move into meditation your brain goes from fully awake alpha waves to beta, which is the beginning of the relaxation state.

What do you seek from the universe this morning? I like to start with a thankful heart grateful for my blessings and the new day. Then I dwell on positive aspects of the universe such as:LovePeaceWisdomSolace/comfortForgivenessThe scent of the incense helps with the purification as you breath in the positive and breath out the negatives.The sea shells help you think of a place where you can be a child again. Even if you’ve never been to the ocean, you can imagine it or a peaceful lake.The candle flame reminds you of the oneness of the universe or the divine.You can sit on your bed and mediate or sit in a comfortable chair. Don’t worry about the difficult lotus position. You do not need to do that to mediate. Relax your body. Be comfortable. Sitting in a chair or bed is okay but don’t lie down because you’ll probably fall asleep.Keep your breathing regular, slow and easy. Breath in the positive, breath out the negatives. Breath in power, exhale fear and worry.Feel at one with the universe. Rest in love. Accept the peace which surpasses understanding. Relax. Breath in, breath out. When you are ready end the meditation. You’ll find your day will go a lot more smoothly after you have begun with meditation even if you have only taken 5 minutes for this relaxation technique. You can add more minutes, or repeat this exercise later in the day.After you get into the habit of relaxing through meditation you can try to go deeper through guided imagery, but that is for another day.

Insight meditation techniques and how to achieve calm

Insight meditation techniques and how to achieve calm

Insight meditation is the age-old scientific technique ofmantra repetition coupled to active concentration, meant to bring spiritual and physical benefits.

It is always necessary to create an atmosphere that is conducive to successful meditation, so make a little space for yourself that will allow you uninterrupted and peaceful time to yourself.

The burning of incense sticks in the room may help you focus, and also instill a sense of sanctity around you. Sit in a comfortable position with your spine erect. This could be in the traditional “lotus” or “half-lotus” positions on the floor or in a seated position on a chair, the main criterion being that the back and spine be maintained in an absolutely erect position throughout your meditation practice. Rest your hands in your lap, or at your knees in the traditional “Chin Mudra” ie, with the thumbs and index fingers of each hand gently touching.

Your eyes should be closed, and you should begin by taking a few very deep “yogic” breaths that start off with the inhalation in the abdomen and rise to your shoulders. The inhalation should last a slow count of “8”, the breath should be held for a count of “8”, and the exhalation should begin from the shoulders, and end with a gentle tugging of the abdominal muscles to completely empty the lungs of any air. This count should also last for ”8”. These breaths are meant to be refreshing, so never hold the count for longer than is comfortable for you. 

Hereafter, maintain your breathing as slow and as deep as you can manage, and link it to the mental repetition of a “mantra” or sacred incantation. These are Sanscrit verses that usually have an equivalent meaning to saluting the divinity within, some examples are “Aum”; “Aum Namah Shivaya”; “Aum Shri Ram” etc. It is useful to mentally say the mantra with the inhalation and repeat it with the exhalation, and to develop some kind of rhythm. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow the repetition is, as long as it’s even and gentle.

Once you develop a steady pace by matching your breath with the mantra, bring your attention to the “Ajna Chakra” which is the space between your eyebrows, and there actively visualize a light. This is a mental exercise, and should never be done using your physical eyes. Try to establish a diminished awareness of your body, and achieve steady and intense concentration.

It should be remembered that spiritual meditation is an active form of concentration, and not a state of lethargic reverie. Should your mind wander, gently observe your thoughts and let them dissipate like clouds in a sky, always bringing your attention back to the Ajna Chakra. To facilitate this process, it may be a good idea to imagine your breath entering this spot through your forehead, and you may actually begin to feel a slight pressure at this point.

The rationale for clearing your mind of restless thought is to connect with your higher power, and to ultimately obtain self-realization through this age-old scientific technique. During these moments of spiritual connection, you will experience clarity of thought; inspiration; understanding; compassion and many other reflections of your true divine spirit.

Initially you may not be able to meditate for very long, but through regular practice you will find yourself enjoying extended periods of blissful peace. The ideal times to meditate are at sunrise and sunset, when the energies are maximal. It’s a good idea to face North, so that you are aligned with the Earth’ electromagnetic current, and to be clothed in loose-fitting attire. One should also meditate on a relatively empty stomach. The psychological and physical benefits of mediation have been proven numerously, but the full extent can only be appreciated by personal experience, so give it a try and reap the rewards!

How to meditate by walking

How to meditate by walking

Walking is an active form of meditation useful for stress management and as a form of light exercise. This article shows you how to walk with a meditative mindset.

It is well known that meditation can reduce stress, increase feelings of well-being, improve concentration, and provide a stillpoint during hectic days. But what if you can’t sit still long enough to relax, or you equate formal meditation with spiritual practices that you just don’t “get”? The answer? Get outside and move! A walk outdoor can become a moving meditation if you allow yourself to do four things: become aware of your breathing, notice your surroundings, be attentive to your body’s movement, and take some time to reflect on your experience when you return home. A walking meditation is simply an exercise in awareness, therefore, I will refer to this exercise as “awareness walking.”

To begin, take notice of your breathing. Are you under stress and taking short shallow breaths without even knowing it? If so, take three slow, deep breaths – in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Taking a moment to focus on your breath is important because it signals to your body, mind, and spirit that you are entering a different space. You are separating yourself from your boss at work, screaming kids, an answering machine on overload, and the bathroom that needs cleaning. (If none of these stressors common to daily life fits, by all means, insert your own.) The bottom line is that you are going to put all of these things on hold for your walk. Believe me, they will be right there when you get back! Focusing on your breath helps you make that transition.

Next, step outside, and become aware of your environment. What season is it? Whether you are in a rural, urban, or suburban area, take a few minutes to listen to the noises around you. Feel the wind, sun, fog, or even light rain on your face. Look at the sky, trees, buildings, birds, animals or people that may be around. Take a few more deep breaths, and realize that you are a part of your environment, right where you are at that moment. This connection with the natural world helps to orient you on your path, both literally and metaphorically.

Paying attention to your body is the third step. Begin by scanning your body for any tension you may be holding. Common places are your neck and shoulders, solar plexus area, lower back, and legs. Try to breathe into any tight areas and picture the tension flowing through you and into the ground where it can be transformed into something else. Next, take notice of your posture. Walk in a way that is comfortable for you, but don’t slouch. You want your body to be as loose and uplifted as possible. Then, do what comes naturally – put one foot in front of the other. It is best to strive for a moderate pace. Remember, no speedwalking, as this is not a race. There is no set duration, though a minimum of ten to fifteen minutes is a good baseline. As you walk, pay attention to the experience of movement. Can you feel the muscles in your legs contracting and relaxing? How does the breeze feel on your face and body? Let your mind be as open as possible, being aware that it is during this time that all of the nagging stressors in your life will start screaming for your attention. That’s OK, let them come, notice them, but also let them pass.

Finally, when you come home, take five or ten minutes to reflect on your experience. This provides closure to your walk and allows you to transition from the world of your interconnected body, mind, and spirit to “ordinary time.” If you walked a winding path, what twists and turns are you experiencing in your life now? If you walked uphill, were you trudging? If so, what are you struggling with? Was an uphill walk easy? If so, where do you get your strength and stamina from. Did you feel exhilirated at any point in your journey? If so, what are you celebrating, or need to celebrate right now.

Awareness walking allows you to step out of everyday life for a short period of time in order to recharge. It is an ideal practice for action-oriented people, because you actively move with attention to the details of your body, and by extension, your life. Give it a try!

Learn meditation

Learn meditation

Learning to meditate for beginners.

In this day and age of cell phones, beepers, PC’s, DVD’s and 50-hour workweeks, stress and tension management is more important than ever. How is one to survive the pace? One way for people to handle the stresses of the modern world and to achieve calmness and serenity is to practice the ancient art of meditation.

There are many forms of meditation including some types of yoga, transcendental and mantric meditation, just to name a few. Some people meditate in dance (yes, meditation in motion, so to speak) some people sit still or chant, some meditate in silence. With all the varieties, anyone can find a form they like.

Through meditation we have the opportunity to look within ourselves and find in ourselves the being that we are, or what we can be. Looking within in this deep state, we can help find answers to the questions that have vexed us in our everyday lives, and forgiveness and healing for hurts, both ones we create and those that are created by others. We can find direction, in some corner of our inner selves where we have felt previously lost in the hurry and worry of our daily life.

Although there are many styles of meditation, there are a few key points to be mindful of, namely where to do it, how to achieve it (breathing), clothing and position.

Where you meditate should be a quiet place, free of distractions. A busy office or the kids fighting in the next room will not provide an optimum circumstance. Use this time to truly “get away from it all” and plan to be alone and uninterrupted. If a full meditation period is not possible, a few moments in the shower or the office restroom engaged in quiet contemplation may help you resume the rest of a busy day with greater serenity.

Another point to consider is breathing. Most forms of meditation (not all) have some sort of focus on breathing technique. Generally, it is suggested to try to slow down the pace of your breathing but go for deeper breathing, in through your nose, hold for as long as comfortable, and then exhale through your mouth, feeling the release of tension with your outgoing breath.

The next point is what to wear. Be sure your clothing is comfortable and is neither too hot nor cold and it does not bind.

For position, you can sit on a chair or pillow, lie on a bed or sofa or just use the floor. Some even recommend kneeling if you can endure it, sitting back on your heals, your hands, palms up, resting in your lap. Whether indoors sitting in a recliner, or outdoors sitting on a rock, make sure it is a position you can maintain for several moments. Some even enjoy the easy movements of Tai Chi and find their inner self through engaging in this form.

For atmosphere, use lighting and scent to increase that feeling of serenity. Scented candles, incense or simmering potpourri can add elegant touches. Just be mindful that sometime people have been known to drift off or fall asleep while meditating, so make sure that there are no fire hazards that would require your attention.

The use of sound during meditation can be just the sound of your breath and the gentle beating of your heart, or it can be in the form of music, chanting or a guided meditation tape, which you can easily find or record for yourself.The most important thing about meditation is that you take time for yourself and come away with a feeling of calm and serenity. Whatever form you choose, make it your personal path to increased inner harmony and joy.

The healing meditation

The healing meditation

A healing meditation can help anyone who is in physical or emotional pain. Find out what it is and how to do it.

The healing meditation is a special meditation designed to help people who are struggling with some kind of pain, either emotional or physical—and who isn’t? It can bring inner peace, healing, and answers to your most troubling questions. Magic? Nope, just good old meditation. You should do it alone in a place where you feel safe and comfortable, maybe your bedroom. You should sit quietly and turn your attention to your breath. Take several conscious, deep breaths. Focus your attention on your breath going into and out of your body. Let your mind quiet down.

Reflect on something, such as an issue, a concern, a question, a feeling, or a pain or problem that you would like to bring healing  too. If you sit quietly, you can actually feel that concern manifest itself somewhere in your body. Get a sense of that concern-you might feel it in your head, chest, stomach, or elsewhere. Feel the energy in your body as you reflect on that concern. Feel a connection to your concern. Notice what that feeling for the concern feels like in your body. Now focus on that feeling, whether it is pain, sadness, fright, whatever. Recognize the feelings you have when you intentionally bring awareness to your concern. You may have these feelings in your heart, body, or mind. Notice how you feel in your mind, body and/ or heart when you recognize those feelings. Notice what you become aware of.

Acknowledge and accept whatever it is you are feeling as you are feeling it in your heart, mind, or body. This is a deeper level of recognition, one you may not have previously allowed yourself to get to. Directly affirm and validate what you are feeling. Say to yourself,” Yes, I feel sad (or hurt or angry or whatever it is that you feel.) Notice what it is like to acknowledge your feeling in body and mind. What do you become aware of when you acknowledge your feeling in your mind and body?

Give your feelings all the room they need. Let them get as big as they want. It might help to imagine your feelings as a balloon in a football stadium. Imagine the balloon getting as big as it can, with you standing right next to it, allowing it to happen. Notice how you feel when you allow your feelings all the room they need; you might feel anxious, overwhelmed, or even peaceful. The point is to just feel whatever it is you feel.

Open yourself to your feeling, to this huge balloon. Imagine opening your arms as wide as they go and embracing the balloon, accepting it for what it is. Now imagine that you and your feelings, your balloon are one. Imagine that you are both pliable and can merge together. You are your feelings and they are you. How do you feel about that? This opening to your feelings allows resources to come to you in the form of, perhaps, a small inner voice speaking to you about your original concern. You may get some insight into your problem, or some other kind of message.You may be resistant to this type of meditation, especially if you have never really meditated before. You may feel silly. That’s ok—your resistance is not a problem; it’s just another feeling. If you start feeling resistance, bring your mindfulness to that resistance. Simply acknowledge the resistance and move on to the next step. If you can do this meditation with an open mind and an open heart, you will find that you hold the answers to all of your problems. You can find the answers if you just look.

Free guided meditation tips

Free guided meditation tips

Meditation done with partners is not only easy-it is ideal. This article provides a newcomer to meditation a great way to start-with a partner!

Meditation is by far, not easy, but with a few pointers and an “inner-guided” partner, it can be both fun, beneficial, and creative if the basic principles are met.

Of course, the prerequisite to beginning a meditation is to be stressed or anxious and in need of relaxation and rejuvenation!

To start – grab a partner. The “best” suited partners for meditation exercises are 1) opposite genders 2) partners with soft voices/demeanors. It is very important to feel comfortable with this partner and to have at least one partner be informed how to meditate and be willing to guide this meditation fluidly. Then, partner one can infuence and teach partner two and a “meditation partnership” is created.

Creating an atmosphere is the next step to preparing to meditate. Once you have a partner, try to create the most relaxing environment as is possible. Relaxing settings include: Dim lights, candles, soft music, incense, or anything aromatic (fragrant oil is very appropriate, too). The best way to arrange positioning between partners is to use two chairs. Partners should be seated upright with their feet flat on the floor and they should be facing eachother.

The next important factor in meditation is the breath. Partners should focus their full attention on breathing. Breaths should be slow and air should be taken through the nose and exhaled through the mouth. Eyes should be closed.

Start of Meditation with Your Partner (sample meditation with words):

Partner One: “Visualize a bright white ball of light shining on you like the sun. Now, visualize that loving and healing light coming down on you through the top of your head.”

Partner Two: Partner two’s concentration should be on breathing, visualizing and feeling the “white light.”

Partner One: “Now, make the light go through every pore and cell of your body from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet.”

Partner Two: Partner two should be trying to feel the white light surrounding and entering them and should also be visualizing positive images and thinking good thoughts.

Partner One: “You can call upon this light as much as you need-it will always serve you and renew you. See the light lifting you upwards into the sky, sun, clouds, etc.” (on and on…).

Partner Two: Partner two should be concentrating on the light and beginning to let thoughts, images, ideas and feelings emerge naturally. Color is very powerful and healing and should be incorporated whenever possible in the images.

The length of the meditation may go on for as long as the partners can sit. However, if partner two is starting to feel uncomfortable or is in pain, the meditation should come to a close at least for the first few meditations. Partners should switch places and partner two (who was meditating) should now get a chance to guide (partner one) into a unique and relaxing meditation now that he/she is aware how it is done.

Meditation tips: relaxing before you meditate

Meditation tips: relaxing before you meditate

This article explains why it is necessary to relax before meditating and gives tips to relax both the body and mind.

Meditation is the process of turning your attention away from your body and mind to your inner self. But before you do that, you have to relax in order to make the process work. You have to focus on your body and mind before you turn that focus away from them; otherwise, your body and mind will try to get your attention during your meditation and that is exactly what you don’t want. So here are a few things you can do to relax before meditation. 

Turn your attention to your body by doing some easy yoga poses. These will both stretch your muscles and relax them. Some good ones:· Cat Pose: Start on your hands and knees with your back flat and your face towards the floor. Breathe in, and when you exhale, tilt your pelvis forward, arch your back towards the ceiling—like an angry cat, and curl your head inward so that you are looking at the floor between your knees. Hold for a few seconds, and then run through the entire pose a few times.

· Child’s Pose: Kneel down and sit back with your bottom on your feet. Then lean forward and place your forehead on the floor, arms behind you at your sides with palms up. Hold this for 5-10 seconds.· Relaxation pose: Lie flat on your back, arms at your sides, head rolled to whichever side is most comfortable. Try to hold this for at least 5 minutes and try not to fall asleep.

If you still feel that your body needs to relax, try tensing and relaxing each muscle one at a time. Sit or lie still, and start with your feet. Tense your muscles, hold them as tightly as you can for a count of 5, and then relax. Move up to your calves, thighs, buttocks, stomach, back, hands, arms, shoulders, neck, and face. Hold each muscle group as tight as you can for 5 seconds and then release. Your body should be more relaxed when you’re finished, but if it isn’t, go through the muscle groups one more time.

Now that your body is relaxed, it’s time to relax your mind. Turn your attention to your breath. Sit very still and quiet, with no distractions around. Your body should be comfortable and relaxed. Turn your awareness to your breath. Notice coming in and out of your body. Does it come in your mouth and out your nose? Notice your chest rising as you breathe. Just sit still and notice. If your thoughts turn away from your breath, simply bring them back. Do this for 5-10 minutes.

If you still feel that you need to relax your mind—if your thoughts are still scattered and jumpy–do a body scan. While some people do this as a meditation, it can also be done as a relaxation before meditation. While lying on your back, focus all of your attention on your toes. See if you can feel the temperature of your toes—do they feel hot or cold, dry or damp? Notice everything you can about your toes. Then, move your awareness to your feet and give them the same attention you did your toes. Move to your ankles, up to your calves, and then to your thighs. Be aware of your buttocks, stomach, chest, and shoulders. Then move your attention to your back, your hands, your arms, your neck, and last, your face and head. Don’t worry if your thoughts drift as you turn your awareness to each part of your body. As soon as you are aware that your mind is not focused on your body, turn your thoughts right back to where they should be. It takes some practice before you will be able to do this without your mind wandering.

When you want to relax, you need to avoid outside stimulation. Turn off the television and any music you have on, unless you are accustomed to having something playing quietly in the background. Avoid eating anything before relaxing, as your body will be focused to the digestion process. Don’t drink anything with sugar or caffeine in it. Relax in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed and don’t do it when you are very tired or you may fall asleep.

Alternative health topics: incorporating meditation into your daily life

Alternative health topics: incorporating meditation into your daily life

Improve the quality of your life by learning to meditate and developing a daily meditation practice.

Do you want to improve your quality of life and reduce stress? If so, chances are you’ve considered learning to meditate. However, many of us are not quite sure what meditation is, and we are uncertain how to start. There are some differences between various styles of meditation, but all the styles center around sitting still and practicing the meditation technique for a certain amount of time every day. In return, it is said that the practitioner will experience benefits ranging from increased relaxation and improved daily function to a better understanding of life. Many of us would be delighted to function better, but it’s a challenge to include another activity in our busy lives.How do we develop and strengthen a daily meditation practice? There are lots of wonderful books about meditation available, but it is useful to get practical, hands-on instruction from someone who already has experience with meditation practice. Such a person will be able to answer your questions and help you learn the meditation technique fully and properly.

Look for a meditation center in your city which you can visit, and find out if they offer meditation instruction. Large cities often have several different centers, and you can find a meditation group and technique which suits you. Most meditation centers that provide meditation instruction also offer group practice sessions which offer an opportunity to become familiar with meditation practice and to make friends with other meditators.It is also useful to learn to practice regularly at home. Take advantage of the power of habit. Develop a routine by meditating at the same time every day. Choose a time that suits your schedule and stick to it, so that your daily routine helps you establish your practice routine. You may want to meditate when you first awaken in the morning, when you get home from work, or just before you go to bed at night. People often find that meditating before they go to sleep helps them rest better.Set up a special place in your house for your meditation practice. It needn’t be large – a corner of your bedroom will do. If you like, you can put together an altar or a shrine, but keep it simple. You don’t want the shrine to distract you. Many traditions have special pillows or cushions for seated meditation, but you can simply sit in a chair. If your back needs support, place a pillow at the base of your spine or in the small of your back, rather than slouch or sag against the chair. Although you are resting your mind, it is better to be relaxed and alert. If you are too tired to sit up straight, do some stretches or take a brief rest before starting to meditate.In addition to having a regular time and place to practice meditation, remind yourself why you are meditating. Classic meditation teachings explain that human life is a precious opportunity to increase our understanding and learn to be of benefit to others. The teachings also remind us that this life is short, that things change constantly, and that no matter how hard we work or how many possessions we accumulate, we will age, deal with sickness, and die. According to these teachings, if we work with our minds while we are healthy, we will be better able to deal with the surprises life brings us. Working with our minds through meditation also helps us to go beyond seeing ourselves and our own temporary struggles and interests as the center of our universe. Thus we can more accurately decide what is truly important to us, and how we can best use our lives.All of us understand how important it is to take care of our bodies. But we often forget to take care of our minds, even though the health of our bodies depends on the health of our minds. When we allow our minds to rest in meditation, just as we allow our bodies to rest in sleep, we strengthen our ability to think clearly.Meditation also allows us to train our minds and observe our habits of thinking. We discover habits of mind which were once useful, but which now no longer served us well. Once we recognize such habits, we can consciously choose whether we wish to act on them, or whether we prefer to make freer, more meaningful choices. In this way, regular meditation helps us learn to be present, reduce unnecessary and unproductive ways of behaving, and live our lives in a fuller and more satisfying way.

Spiritual Exercises: Guided meditation

Spiritual Exercises: Guided meditation

Information on meditating to enrich your life and relax, tips on finding peace through some simple techniques.

Life is hectic. I work at home now as a freelance writer, which I thought would be less stressful than teaching school. The truth is what ever we do, even when we love our jobs, we are under stress. Everything moves too fast these days and we become like hamsters rolling in the wheel of life. When you feel this stress it is time to take a meditation break.

Guided imagery is a good relaxation technique for those who have experienced meditation. It is the next step to take you from the fully aware alpha state deep into the beta and beyond.

It requires a place, a guided imagery tape, and candles. It is also good to have a journal ready as you may wish to write in it after the meditation. The place can be any where in your home you can be alone. Close the door. Light the candle. The candle reminds of us God’s light and the peace He wants for us. It is also a focal point.

Guided imagery tapes for meditation are sold at leading book stores as well as alternative book stores, and

on line . However, you can make your own tapes. You would do this before you are ready to begin the meditation.

You will need a tape recorder and a quiet room. If you have inspirational, lilting music put this on while you tape. You don’t want rock or anything rousing. The music should be quiet enough to be in the background without interfering, but enhancing your guided imagery. Use a soft voice as you record your own message to yourself.

Here is what works for me. Close your eyes, imagine you are at the beach. It is a sunny day. The sand is soft and inviting. The ocean waves lap gently against the sand. You look around and see that you are in a private cover surrounded by palm trees. You sit down on the sand and look out to the ocean. Breath in, breath out. Imagine now a woman is walking towards you. She is in a long, flowing dress with a crown of flowers around her head. You recognize her. She is (insert your own)a special woman from your past. She sits next to you. “What is it you need?” she asks in a soft voice.

Breathe in, breath out. Let your mind relax. You are happy to be sitting with this woman. She is someone you love and trust. You think about her question and give your answer in your mind. She nods and smiles at you. She speaks to your mind in silent words. I give you what you ask.

Remain in this peaceful state a little longer. Enjoy the beauty of nature and the special woman beside you. When you are ready open your eyes. Say out loud what you asked for. Believe you have received it.

It helps if you write down your answer in a journal and what it means to you. You can repeat this same exercise everyday or whenever you need to feel relaxed and peaceful. You can ask for what ever you need and know you will receive the answer.

Spiritual Guide: Tips on how to meditate

Spiritual Guide: Tips on how to meditate

How to get the most out of meditation, what meditating means and what your mind and body get out of the overall process.

Meditation is a practice used to relax the body and calm the mind. It is the process of clearing the mind from all its chaos. In short meditation, is the ability to relax the mind and give it freedom to be. Now that we have a clearer view of what meditation is, we can talk about how to meditate and what you can get out of it.There are a variety of ways to meditate, and once you’ve learned how to do it you’ll feel all the better, and the more you do it the more you’ll get out of it. Since there are so many ways to

meditate process you choose is up to you, but I will give you a quick and easy way to meditate and you can look into other ways to meditate to suit your personal needs.

Learning how to meditate is not easy. In order to be a successful mediator you have to be gentle with yourself and

do a little meditating each day, until it comes as naturally as breathing. Don’t give up, practice makes perfect. The most important part of the meditating process is to find a quiet place. Hopefully somewhere you won’t be disturbed. Find a comfortable place to sit. Sitting down on the floor on a cushion with legs crossed, shoulders back and your back straight is a good choice. But if sitting on the floor is not the best choice for you, then sit in a chair, feet flat on the floor, with your back straight and with your hands in front on you in a relaxed state. Take a deep breath and gently shut your eyes. Continue taking deep breaths. With each additional breath, you will begin to feel every part of your body relaxing. If your body is tight, know that you have to take your focus away from that area while continuing to breathe. Once you have cleared your mind and all is in a relaxed state, start a visualizing exercise, by taking your mind to a peaceful place. If you prefer to keep your mind clear simply go deeper into the meditative state, with deeper breaths.

Continue breathing through the whole process. Focus on your breathing. Don’t try to control the breathing, let your body do what it does naturally. Refuse to let any thoughts interfere with your meditating. Return to your breathing. Breathe in. Now breathe out. Relax. After you let go of all the thoughts that come into your mind. Continue to breathe and soon you’ll reach a moment where all is peaceful and free. One who has learned how to meditate gets the opportunity to let go of all the stress that life has put on us. It allows you to be aware of the physical self, and gives your mind a place to rest. Meditation helps one surrender tension, tightness and struggles with the body. It gives you a place to turn when you get caught up in everyday responsibilities and you lose sight with where you are going. Meditation is your chance to connect with a higher being. It is your turn to listen to your guiding light. It is freedom from stresses of all types. Meditation is leaving the present and visiting the unknown.

Meditation is medicine for the mind.

Meditation – soothe your mind, body and soul

Meditation – soothe your mind, body and soul

Meditation can help you find self-peace. As well as help you gain or maintain control over your problems.

Meditation is one of the most ancient healing practices. Its spiritual side formed a part of all great religions of the world, especially Buddhism and Hinduism. Today many still use meditation as a way to improve their spiritual selves, but it is also being practiced to relieve stress, improve general health and quality of life.

Meditation involves a collection of mental techniques used to bypass normal thoughts and brings about free-flowing attention that helps calm and restore your mind and body. Unlike sleep and other forms of relaxation, meditation helps to quiet your thoughts and allows the entire body to relax but at the same time keeps you fully mentally aware.

There are two key principles involved in any type of mediation. You must first focus on a simple phrase, word (one syllable), image or just breath with a rhythm. This will bring you to a state of relaxed awareness. Next you must passively forget all other thoughts and distractions. Once the mind is focused on a single thing the brain will automatically switch off the body’s ‘fight or flight’ mechanism, stop reacting to your surroundings and thus become calm.

The most common focal point used is the mantra, a simple word or sound repeat quietly to oneself to block out all other thoughtsc. Words that may be used are ‘love’, ‘one’ or ‘peace’. Ancient ritual sounds with spiritual significance are also common, such as ‘ohm’.

Put on some comfortable clothes and find a calm, quiet place that is well ventilated and with soothing lights. Then, simply sit comfortably, close your eyes and concentrate on your mantra. It may be repeated to yourself or out loud and should be synchronized with a slow, relaxed breathing pattern. Your breathing should be rhythmic and balanced. This will help relieve tension, pain and anxiety.

You may find it easier to concentrate if you simply count each out-breath or each in- and out-breath, there is no need for your breathing pattern to be regular. However, try to match your counting to your natural breathing pattern.

Imagery meditation involves focusing on a thing of beauty such as a candle or flower.

Disregard all other thoughts is not very easy. You should not get your mind to concentrate but simply think of only one thing and hold your attention on it. This is why it is best if outside distractions are kept to a minimum. When other thoughts enter your mind, just let them pass without giving them any attention and return quietly to your focal point. Your ability to stay focused longer will obviously improve with practice.

Brain waves associated with meditation are known to occur during sleep. Thus, meditating allows the mind to stay alert and clear the body enjoys deep relaxation similar to that, which occurs in deep sleep. The sympathetic (action) nervous system gets switched off and the parasympathetic (resting) system fires up. Therefore, all the body’s systems can normalize and this produces the perfect environment for healing to occur. Regular meditation is also proven to help creativity and productivity, especially at work.

Several methods of meditation are Buddhist where you concentrate on happy times in your life. Transcendental is taught by a teacher and involves using a secret mantra that must not be relieved to anyone. The Christian method involves concentrating on a prayer or moral to obtain a better understanding it. Clinically standardized method is based on tradition meditation but is void of any spiritual associations.

CANDLE BLESSING

CANDLE BLESSING                                                          
                                                                          

                                                                          
Blessings be upon thee,
O creature of light!
Thrice blessed little herb!
Herb o’ grease, with thy waxen stem
and thy blossom of flame!
Thou art more potent against spells and terrors
and the invisible menace than fennel or dittany or rue.
Hail! antidote to the dealy nightshade!
Blossoming in the darkness,
thy virtues are hearts ease and quiet sleep.
Sick people bless thee,
and women in travail,
and people with haunted minds,
and all children.