Where to start meditating? Osho's practical meditation lessons for beginners. Simple Meditation Techniques

There is nothing mysterious in meditation, everyone is capable of it. Moreover, you have been in a meditative state more than once, even if you never aspired to this. Remember how many times, while on board the aircraft, you stared out the window, watching the movement of cirrus clouds.

Surely you will remember many similar situations when you did not look at yourself from the outside, did not think about serious problems, did not analyze your emotional state. They didn't think about anyone or anything. In those moments, there was no past or future for you - only "here" and "now" existed, and you completely dissolved in the current time. So this, in essence, is meditation.

We believe that any meditation is a kind of autism, withdrawal into oneself. And we're wrong.

Sometimes meditation can require attention to many things at once, like you're cooking a five-course meal. Its essence is not at all in detachment, on the contrary, we are so involved in what is happening that we merge with it. That is why meditation charges with optimism, because with all our being we feel unity with the world around us.

When you meditate, you are both completely relaxed and very focused - a dual, contradictory state, but only at first glance. As a result, problems that were previously considered insoluble are overcome easily and as if by themselves - or they turn out not to be yours at all, or not as fundamental as you thought.

Meditation gives you the opportunity, time and energy to try to understand yourself. Question: What do I want? seems to be very simple. But for many, it takes a lifetime to find the answer to it. And meditation helps with that.

Meditation rejuvenates, and often does it better and faster than any cosmetic procedures. Let's say that in the morning you, sitting on the floor, watched a clot of energy for a quarter of an hour - a ball located two fingers below the navel, at the most important energy point. Believe me, when you come to the office, you will be surprised by the number of compliments and kind words said to you.

And if you reveal your secret to your colleagues and to the question: “How do you do it?” - answer: “I meditate in the morning”, few of them will treat you with suspicion and twist a finger at your temple. Because those around you will certainly notice that you have become calmer and happier, but at the same time you have not turned into a “weird freak” at all.

Which meditation to choose

If you decide to learn meditation, try to start with the following basic techniques. As soon as you start practicing, you will immediately feel that it is simple, there is nothing supernatural about it.

Choose any of the techniques and practice for one to two weeks before moving on to the next one. Do not rush to conclusions, keep practicing, even if negative feelings arise and it seems that something does not work out and this option does not suit you. Then try a different technique. As a result, you will choose the most suitable method and will meditate with pleasure.

Conscious breathing

One of the main methods of limiting concentration. Just pay close attention to how the air enters and exits through the lungs. Observe the duration of each inhalation and exhalation. And don't be afraid if your attention suddenly jumps to something else - just bring it back.

Chanting mantras

Mantras can be one syllable, word or phrase. Christians often repeat the prayer: "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner." Praying Jews repeat: "Shema" ("Hear"). The most common mantras are Om Amen and Om Mani Padme Hum. If this option does not suit you, take the word “love” as a basis and see what happens. The mantra can be repeated both aloud and silently - synchronizing it with the breath.

Visualization

To begin with, consider a simple geometric figure, such as a circle or a triangle. Then close your eyes and try to visualize it in your mind. When you can easily do this, move on to other images that are of particular importance to you. Imagine, for example, a quiet, comfortable place where you would feel comfortable meditating.

mettabhavana

Meditation, which not only develops concentration, but also generates an all-encompassing love for all living things. "Metta" in translation from the ancient Indian language Pali means "love", and "bhavana" is translated as "development, education". taught by the Buddha.

Vipassana

Vedanta Meditation

As soon as absolutely any thought arises in the head, for example, “I'm bored” or “I have a lot of urgent things to do,” you need to ask yourself the question: “Who perceives this thought? For whom does it arise? The answer seems obvious: "For me." And then you ask yourself the following question: “Who am I? Where and what are my origins? As a result of such a chain, you will come to liberation from your own ego and to communion with the world.

Meditation in motion

You can practice while doing Hatha yoga, tai chi, walking, etc. Suitable if you find it difficult or just do not like to sit still for a long time. While meditating while walking, you breathe in and out in time with your steps. As you inhale, you gradually lift one foot off the floor, starting from the heel and ending with the toes, and rearrange it forward. Then, as you exhale, lower your foot to the floor, transfer your weight to it, and prepare to lift the other foot on the next inhale.

If you meditate regularly, then you stop wasting time and energy, exchanging small things and overreacting to things that you cannot change. You no longer resent life, but instead begin to take what is happening for granted. You are approaching harmony with the world.

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If you ask me what is most important to achieve long-term results, I will answer without hesitation - internal control. It will not let emotions get the best of you, you will feel much more confident and will be able to move towards your goals by making regular efforts.

The most important tool for developing internal control is meditation. You may associate this word with esoteric practices, but this is far from being the case. Meditation is simply concentrating or concentrating on something. To master this tool, you need to know how to meditate.

I have been practicing meditation for more than two years, so I know firsthand what effect it can bring. This is really a great way to maintain inner balance and develop a sense of confidence. It helps to better understand one's own motives, and also significantly improves the ability to concentrate. All this leads to increased productivity and the ability to not stop on the way to goals.

7 steps to learn how to meditate for a beginner at home

When you start practicing, you may get the feeling that meditation is a very difficult process that only Shaolin monks can do. In fact, it seems to me that it is possible to achieve perfection in this exercise only after several decades of practice, however, improper execution also has many benefits.

Therefore, just understand how to meditate correctly and strive for this state. And I honestly admit that I am far from ideal However, I feel a huge positive effect. You yourself will notice it if you compare the state on the days when you meditated and when you missed classes.

Step 1 - make a decision

Human psychology is arranged in such a way that he will get the best result only in those cases when he is fully aware of his actions, that is, he understands what he is striving for and how exactly to do it. Therefore, staging is very important to achieve the result, it is not in vain that they pay so much attention.

As for meditation, there is no need to set any goals, you just have to decide that you will do it. You can say it out loud or just mentally imagine that this tool will allow you to solve many problems and become a better person. It is important to realize why you are doing this - only then will a really good result be obtained.

Stage 2 - choose a place and time

After you make an informed choice, you need to set criteria. Most articles about how to learn to meditate talk about quiet and peaceful rooms. I agree with this point of view, as it is really easier to concentrate in an environment where nothing distracts you.

However, not everyone has the opportunity to be in such a room. For example, if you are a mother on maternity leave, who is constantly distracted by a child or work a lot, so there is no free time to look into a deserted place. What to do in such cases? It's simple: meditate where it will be most convenient.

In the case of a mother, this may be a place near the baby's crib, after he is put to bed and you need to wait a bit. If this is a working person, then the place of meditation can serve as public transport or even shower room.

This significantly complicates the task, so I recommend trying the classic options with a separate room for the first week, where no one distracts you. This is necessary so that you can better understand the process and be able to focus in environments where there are many distractions.

As for time, here you can focus on:

• Free time;
• The time when you just woke up or went to bed;
• Time when you have nothing to do (public transport, unnecessary couples, etc.);
• Before starting the main work (greatly helps to concentrate);
• The time between pomodoros, etc.

That is, there are no specific recommendations here, but if you follow the classical rules, it is best to meditate in the morning and during the daytime. Before going to bed, many do not recommend doing this because of the surge of energy associated with concentration and mental clarity. However, I'm great at falling asleep in this case too. If you wanted to understand how to meditate at home, then start with this option, and then adjust the schedule.

Stage 3 - decide on the frequency of classes

Beginners often ask the question of how often to practice. You need to understand that meditation is not a sport and there is no supercompensation period to talk about some more or less accurate predictions. Again, in the classic version, it is recommended to meditate twice a day for 10-20 minutes. Is it necessary to follow this rule? Of course not.

I recommend that you start with 5-10 minutes once a day. Believe me, even this frequency at the initial stage is enough for you to feel the result. Work out for at least a week and see for yourself. Then try to meditate twice a day, and also increase the time spent in a meditative state. You will be able to make a final decision only after practice.

Personally, I try to meditate every day, but I do it not on a schedule, but when I need to focus on something or make a decision. I also try to immerse myself in this state in the morning in order to set it up for the whole day. But, it is worth noting that even if I meditate during the day, there is not much difference. But the termination of classes says almost instantly: 1-3 days. Some kind of apathy immediately sets in, I don’t want to do anything, I put things off for later, etc. By the way, I noticed this only after 2 years of practice, so this experience is very important.

Also, many recommend exercising at the same time. Allegedly, the brain will tune in to the lesson in the selected time period. I would dispute this statement, but it makes sense from another point of view - you will develop a habit and it will be much easier for you to force yourself to meditate. If I were to write a book on how to meditate for beginners, I would also include this advice. Again, if you don't have self-discipline issues, you can ignore it.

Step 4 - Get Ready

Now let's take a closer look at the preparation process. It is important to understand how to meditate at home for beginners. You need to set a timer. It is recommended to do this in order to independently monitor the results and identify the optimal duration. During meditation, time flies differently, so after working out for half an hour, you may be surprised to find that only 10-15 minutes have passed (this was the case with me at the beginning).

Of course, you can do without a timer. However, I recommend doing this at least a month after the start of classes. When you can already understand for sure that you have achieved the effect you wanted. It is better to record and analyze the duration and results. This way you will be more motivated and you can really feel the effect.

By the way, soon there will be just an amazing article on how to do a lot of things and at the same time not feel lazy. If you don't want to miss it, subscribe to updates.

I recommend practicing in silence, but the right music can also help. What does "suitable music" mean - these are classical compositions, always without words and preferably with a calm motive. On the Internet you can find special tracks, and you can also just find traditional Asian motifs. Music is very important if you, for example, meditate while taking public transport to work or school.

I also recommend ventilating the room. The fact is that during meditation it is necessary to monitor the breath. If it is too stuffy, then the result can be negative. Fresh air will allow you to relax, cool down and breathe easier. Of course, this item is only suitable in cases where you need to understand how to meditate at home.

Stage 5 - take a pose or how to start meditating

Let's move on to practice. Take the most comfortable position. In the classic version, the lotus position is assumed (sitting on the sit bones, straighten your back, point your chin forward, and fold your legs so that your knees are on your hips). However, this is a difficult position, especially for an unprepared person, and not all places can afford such a sitting position, so I offer several alternatives:

• Sitting on the feet (bend under you and sit on your heels);
• Sitting on a chair with a straight back;
• Standing, straightening your shoulders and straightening the plane of the chin;
• Just a comfortable sitting position with a straight back;
• The most important thing in the posture as part of the article on how to meditate is a straight back and a stable position.

It is very important that the posture is conscious and even. That is, choosing a position, try to stick to it for the entire time. Do not bend your back, even if everything hurts and whines (you get used to it over time), do not relax your legs, and so on. This is also important and will even help you, although you may not immediately understand it.

Yoga itself is a meditation technique. Of course, its classic presentation, and not modern variations for the lazy and especially lazy. Unlike other techniques, here the main focus is on the body and postures. That is why the effect of yoga is compared with the effect of prolonged meditation. You can try this option if you have the opportunity and desire. Most likely, I will consider this topic in more detail. If you don't want to miss it, be sure to subscribe to updates.

Stage 6 - how to meditate correctly for beginners

Now let's talk more about the technique itself. There are a huge number of them and, if desired, they are all easily found on the Internet. Within the framework of this article, I will consider only the main ones and those that are suitable for beginners. Suppose, not everyone can imagine fire in their mind and fully visualize the effect of it, but there is such a technique.

So, in the classic version of how to meditate at home, you need to follow these steps:

1. Close eyes;
2. Take a deep breath;
3. Clear the mind of all thoughts;
4. Make a slow exhalation;
5. Continue the breathing process, concentrating on inhalations and exhalations;
6. Keep your mind clear;
7. If any thoughts arise, they must be fixed and removed from the mind;
8. At first, you can say “brea-o-oh” and “you-s-breathe” to yourself, but it is better to focus purely on the process;
9. Pay close attention to the sensations that you have;
10. Watch how the stomach and ribs rise, how the mind is cleared;
11. To better understand how to meditate for beginners, try first counting the number of breathing numbers - this will make it easier to clear the mind;
12. After the timer goes off, take a few more breaths in and out and open your eyes.

Ideally, after this, you should relax and completely clear your mind. Although this is not always the case. However, even if it seems to you that nothing has worked out for you, IT DOESN'T. Even the most unsuccessful meditations bring a huge effect compared to not meditating at all.

Stage 7 - constantly improve the result

Use the breath concentration technique for at least a week before moving on to other options - concentration on the mantra, on the body or on some thought. This will allow you to better understand and understand the process. You can also:

• Increase the time spent in meditation;
• Increase the number of repetitions during the day;
• Try to achieve the best effect;
• Try to change the place for meditation;
• Track results to identify the best option etc.

Remember that there is no end result that will allow you to say that you have fully mastered meditation. No, it's just a tool like the same "pomodoro", with which you can achieve much more and become a calmer, more balanced and self-confident person.

conclusions

To understand how to meditate at home correctly, you need to make an informed choice, find a place and time to practice, decide on the frequency, prepare, take a pose, follow the process itself and analyze the results. In principle, nothing complicated, you just need to apply this technique in practice.

Remember that the absence visible result doesn't mean it doesn't exist at all. Perhaps I am now speaking as some kind of esotericist, but there really is an effect. It will be especially noticed by those who cannot concentrate or pull themselves together in any way. Try, try and you will definitely succeed.

If you have any questions about how to learn to meditate at home, ask them in the comments. Perhaps I missed something and wrote incorrectly? Also tag it under this post. And don't forget to subscribe to blog updates. Bye!

If you're wondering which meditation technique is most effective for relaxation, you won't know the answer until you try it. There are many different ways, each of which deserves attention. We will look at three simple techniques that are equally suitable for beginners and "experienced users".

This method is equally suitable for beginners and those who have already succeeded in meditation. It is important to develop correct technique breathing.

What do we have to do:

• Find a suitable place where no one will disturb you for 20 minutes
• Take a comfortable position for you. You can lie down, sit on a chair, take a lotus position or yoga asana. It is only important that the back remains completely straight.
• Close your eyes, put your hands on your kneecaps so that your palms look up
• You don’t need to do anything for a couple of minutes, the subconscious is being adjusted. You just need to concentrate on the process of breathing. Feel the air enter your lungs as you inhale and leave your body as you exhale.
• With each exhalation, try to relax your body. Feel the tension go away, muscle blocks and clamps are removed
• After you realize that you are completely relaxed, begin to concentrate on breathing in a certain way: at the count of “one”, hold your breath for four seconds, at the count of “two”, exhale
• Keep breathing like this for 10-15 minutes

This method of meditation is very simple and convenient. You can practice at any time convenient for you. Pleasant calm music will help you relax faster, choose the right melodies in advance.

Technique #2: Candle Meditation

This is more advanced meditation. You need an empty room and some candles. It is better to use church ones made of wax. But in extreme cases, any other will do.

It is better to do it in the evening, because the room should be twilight. What do we have to do:

• Turn off the lights. If you practice during the day, close the window openings with dark thick curtains. Sit comfortably and straighten your back
• Light candles and place them around you. Place one right in front of your eyes at arm's length.
• Start looking at the flame, trying not to blink, concentrate all your attention on the fire. Your eyes will tear up, no big deal.
• Imagine how the energy of fire fills your entire body, consciousness. Do not be distracted by extraneous thoughts. If it doesn't work and you start thinking about something, switch your attention back to the flame and concentrate on it.
• After a while, close your eyes, but imagine that you are still watching the fire. Try to see clearly how the flame dances and flares up brightly
• After the visualization succeeds, open your eyes and breathe. Take a few deep breaths, slow exhales

This practice teaches to free the mind from everything superfluous and trains the ability to concentrate on one thing. This is not such an easy task as it seems at first glance. By exercising regularly, you will learn to fully immerse yourself in one process, without being distracted by anything superfluous.

Technique #3: Body Awareness

We all live in our physical body. It is so familiar and self-evident that we have forgotten how to notice and feel the signals it sends us. The third method of meditation will help solve this problem.

What do we have to do:

• Get into a comfortable body position. Be sure to keep your back straight. Breathe deeply, feel the tension leave your body. You relax and free yourself from extraneous thoughts
• Then focus on your toes. Feel what sensations arise in them at this moment. Mentally direct your breath to this area, transferring heat and energy along with it.
• After complete relaxation, move up to the ankles and repeat the procedure. And so on until you get to the top

At the end of the meditation, you will feel a surge of energy and strength, notice how your body is filled with warmth. Remember this feeling of comfort and satisfaction. You should have a positive attitude that will accompany you for a long time.

Of the three meditation techniques listed, perhaps the most difficult is the one with candles. It is not easy to concentrate on a flame for a long time and still not fall asleep. It is very important at the first sign of drowsiness to stop the session and return to meditation at another time.

This is absolutely normal, over time you will learn to concentrate and not fall asleep in the process of meditation. The main thing is to practice regularly.

Watch video from general technique meditations for beginners:

The listed methods of meditation are equally good. But it is worth using some recommendations so that the effectiveness of the practice is high:

1. Practice regularly. Already one session of meditation helps to relax and free the mind from extraneous thoughts. But only constant training will bring a significant effect.
2. Try different ways and methods to find the one that works best for you. Each person is individual, so there is no universal technique, you have to choose it yourself
3. Find an experienced mentor who will advise and give an understanding of how to act correctly
4. Make a meditation music playlist. Include pleasant calm melodies in it that do not irritate the ear and are well suited for the background.
5. Try to eat right and make time exercise. Together with meditation, this will help to achieve harmony between the soul and body.

Try the techniques we have described and write in the comments what positive changes you have experienced.

A large amount of information, stress, life circumstances lead to the fact that a person is in constant tension. As a result, irritability appears, outbreaks become more frequent. You can relax and disconnect from problems for a while with the help of meditation. The techniques developed by the gurus and are simple and doable by beginners. All you need is a quiet place and 15 min. time. Before doing the exercises, we will analyze the meditation techniques and learn about other nuances.

Exercise requires focus and concentration. If you do not know how to disconnect from the environment, then spend the first lessons in silence. Or pick up music for meditation. Calm melodies, sounds of animals, murmur of water will do.

How to prepare for meditation?

1. Forget the rush. Meditation requires peace and tranquility. If you are in a hurry, late for work, a business meeting, or a first date, then postpone the exercise. In this state, you will get irritation, not a relaxing effect.
2. Regularity. To get the result, beginners are advised to apply the meditation technique every day. Then reduce the number of sessions to 2 times a week. Schedule your meditation. Exercises performed haphazardly will not bring relief and calm.
3. Choose a location. If there is no quiet corner at home, then conduct sessions on the street. For meditation, a bench in the park or a log in the forest is suitable. You can also meditate in the office at the workplace. The main thing is to be able to concentrate and be relatively quiet.
4. Comfort. The criterion concerns the choice of clothing. It should not prick, hamper movements and cause other inconveniences. Comfort includes smells and sensations. If negative aspects are associated with the chosen place, then you will not be able to relax. The sharp smell of a colleague's perfume, aromas from a coffee shop, and other irritants distract from meditation.
5. Pick a pose. Beginners are sure that meditation begins with mastering the lotus position. In fact, this position is used by mentors to fix the human body. Some techniques are so relaxing that the person falls asleep during the session. And the lotus position does not allow you to turn off. If you choose it, then keep your back straight. Straighten your shoulders, open your palms and point to the sun. If you are doing the exercises while sitting, then rest your whole foot on the floor, thus connecting with the power of the earth.

Take into account all the nuances at once will not work. Move on to practice, and understanding will come during the exercises. Each person is individual and requires certain conditions for concentration. Watch video tutorials on meditation. Visual material helps to choose the right pose and catch difficult moments.

Meditation Techniques for Beginners

It is not necessary to understand the philosophy and ideology of the direction in order to meditate. Previously, such exercises were used only in religion and carried the worship of a deity. Today, meditation has passed into the social masses and is used as a way of relaxation and a short respite for the brain.

Among the variety of teachings, 3 meditation techniques for beginners stand out:

Meditation for beginners includes a variety of techniques. The main task of the lessons is to get to know the inner Self and understand it. By establishing a clear connection, you will learn to switch off or concentrate at the right time. As a result, the work of the brain is activated, the feeling of anxiety disappears, the person calms down.

How to concentrate?

The first thing a beginner faces is the inability to focus on one task. Our brain is used to the constant change of pictures and a large amount of information. Because of this, the untrained mind quickly switches. After 5 min. concentration, the beginner begins to understand what he thinks about plans for the day, remembers his childhood, worries about how correctly he meditates, dreams of cool results. To focus, you will have to resort to techniques that will stop the monologue with yourself.

How to concentrate?

1. Fixation on the palms. During meditation, take the lotus position, open your palms and look at them. It is important to look at the brushes at the same time. Translation from one palm to another will not give a result. If everything is done correctly, then after a while you will feel a pleasant emptiness.
2. Pillow game. The second exercise is more difficult. To perform it, touch with a pad thumb to others in turn. Then the steps are repeated in reverse order. On the second hand, perform the same touches, just connect three fingers (thumb, index and middle). Achieve simultaneous execution. Concentrating on the exercise will help eliminate the flow of thoughts.

When applying techniques, remember the sensations when the brain was not overwhelmed with thoughts. Induce these states during meditation and try to keep them as long as possible.

OSHO Meditation – A Technique for Experienced

It is used to destroy the patterns that are stored in the mind. Allows you to throw off the shackles of the past and break free. Completed within an hour. The best results are achieved in group sessions.

OSHO meditation consists of 5 stages:

1. The first exercise is breathing. Close your eyes and practice noisy, rapid breathing through your nose. Focus solely on the exhale. Breathe deeply, help with the body. Continue until you merge with the breath. In 10 minutes. you will feel that you are filled with energy, it rises and looks for a way out.
2. The second stage is to release emotions. Open the bolts and spill everything out. To begin with, small movements of the body help. Sing, shout, cry, run. Become crazy for a while, do not connect your brain to this process.
3. The third step is jumping. Raise your hands up, come off the floor and say the mantra "Hu". Get on the floor with your whole foot, invest with all your strength in each jump. Direct the sound of the blow to the sex center. The exercise is performed intensively, up to complete exhaustion. Each stage takes 10 minutes.
4. The fourth stage is a pause. It is necessary to freeze without changing posture. Nothing should provoke the release of accumulated energy. In this position, you must stand for 15 minutes. Be aware of what is happening to you at the moment.
5. The fifth stage is a holiday. Accompanied by dance and music. Express everything that you feel at the moment with movements. Received carry through the whole day.

OSHO meditation is done only in the morning. If you cannot make noise in the chosen place, then say the mantra to yourself, accompany the second stage only with body movements, perform the dance without music.

love meditation

Used to attract love. Exercises begin with work on yourself. You will not meet a soul mate if you are gloomy and angry. Give love and kindness strangers on the street. This does not mean that you need to hug and kiss them. Just mentally send people love, warmth, smile.

The search for love is formed on the laws of the universe. Everything that we send into it, we receive in three times the size. Give people good emotions, take care of nature, homeless animals, wish everyone love.

To remove the blocks that keep feelings from entering your heart, believe in unconditional love. Accept others for who they are. The result will not keep you waiting.

At the most unexpected moment, you will meet a life partner.

Get into visualization. Imagine that you are sitting in a cafe, near the seashore and watching passers-by. Men and women compliment you, you thank you in return. Another company approaches and among them, you meet your fate. Do the visualization exercise for a month, spending 3 minutes. in a day.

Meditate to attract love and new relationships into your life. First relax, then imagine that you are among loved ones. Feel the state of calm and harmony, listen to others, they are waiting for love, happiness, peace. Give these feelings to loved ones, then go to strangers. Imagine rays of love coming out of your heart. The exercise is not limited in time. When you're done, just open your eyes.

Hello. In this article, I will help you decide on the choice of meditation technique, as promised. There are several types of meditation on my site, this is what I practice. I also translated from English six lectures on meditation given by famous masters of this practice. You can read the lectures using the links from. Each of them has a specific meditation technique.

So which meditation should you choose? What suits you personally? It is difficult to navigate the sea of ​​different teachings and techniques when each of them offers something different from the others. Well, let me make it easy for you to choose. To begin with, one should understand one thing.

There is not much difference between different meditation techniques.

Different meditation techniques, in fact, are not much different from each other. in terms of effect and the general principle of impact on the body. At least those of them that are based on concentration on the image, word, breath. I don't include any exotic meditations here. It turns out that choosing the most appropriate meditation is much easier than you think.

I believe that the difference in the effects of different schools of meditation is only imaginary and is dictated partly by the belief in the uniqueness of one's own technique, on the part of the one who presents it, and partly by some kind of marketing policy. I'll explain why. A teacher of one school may claim that his meditation allows you to relax, the next says that his technique will open in you the love of life, the third promises better health. One advises to read the mantra, the second to imagine a luminous dot, the third - to concentrate on breathing.

Seeing a big difference here is like evaluating the effect of two headache medicines differently if one of them contains sugar, currant extract to improve the taste and analgin, and the other contains vitamin C, blueberry extract and analgin. The first in green packaging, the second in blue with yellow circles.

It is clear that both medicines will help with a headache in the same way, since analgin will be contained here and there, and all other additives only affect the taste and, like the design of the package, are present there only in order to distinguish this product from the mass of identical goods on the market.

As for recommendations on how to meditate and what meditation gives, I found the lecture of the Himalayan guru interesting in this respect, who tells how it is possible to stop the internal dialogue and talks about whether it is possible to fall asleep during meditation. And I really enjoyed the lecture, in which she talks about how meditation helps to get rid of the illusions that we are all subject to and about physiological aspects brain activity in a meditative state.

The general principle of all meditation

But, nevertheless, in my opinion, all these different meditation techniques are also based on similar principles. Whether you imagine a purple light or a space filled with stars, whether you focus your attention on a mantra or on the breath, there is one general principle behind it all. When you keep your attention on one thing, you stop all the flow of thoughts that is present in your normal state, you replace it with some one phrase or image.

This volitional exercise greatly helps to relax, put thoughts in order and unload the brain from excess information. You fall into a state of rest, when all the muscles of your body are completely relaxed, your mind is directed to one point, it rests, it is not tormented by hundreds of thoughts and worries. If you do this every day, then after a while you will feel better, calm, awakening of consciousness, which may even lead to some reassessment of values. You will realize that you have become better in control of your body, you have begun to listen to your mind, and not be led by passions. In general, the effect of meditation is much wider and deeper than you can imagine.

Meditation gives you so much more than you might think

I started meditation in the hope that it would act as an antidepressant for me: it would relieve me of depression and constant anxiety that had been tormenting me for several years. And after some time, I got rid of the mental blues, anxiety attacks and panic ( panic attacks) through meditation, as desired. Now my state of mind can be described as even, stable and constantly elevated without noticeable fluctuations in one direction or another. I learned to relax and stopped needing alcohol, smoking or anything else to calm down or cheer myself up.

But I could not even imagine that this practice would give incomparably more than just getting rid of depression and stabilizing the emotional background. It allowed me to take a more sober look at myself, at my shortcomings and to do a lot of work on myself without which this site would not exist with all its articles and conclusions. Perhaps later I will write about (already written), since this topic is a separate article, but it gave me a lot and is able to give you too. And so I now firmly believe that if a person does not meditate, then he voluntarily refuses a whole host of benefits that meditation can give, maybe even dooming himself to suffering and a life less happy and full than the one that he would have had he meditated.

Choice of meditation technique. Is it really that important?

But okay, we didn't digress too much. Let's continue. So, as for the difference different types practice: it is not true that one meditation technique helps to relax, and the second one improves health. Any meditation will help you achieve all of these at once, no matter which one you choose.

In short, if we are talking about the choice of a specific technique, then I would not say that it should be approached with special care, take what is closer to you. I think that you can even allow a certain scope for creativity: you can decide for yourself what you will imagine when you meditate, or you can combine several different techniques within one session! The main thing is not to miss the general principle: you should relax as much as possible, try not to think about anything, immerse yourself in silent contemplation of the image in your imagination or words, prayers, free yourself from worries, memories and plans for the duration of the session.

Personally, I practice a 20-minute mantra meditation, this is simple meditation, there is nothing difficult to master it. I gave the link at the beginning of the article. You can check out the list at this link. I combine meditation with a short two minute meditation to help me relax more quickly. You can use the same technique, you can do it differently, but I would still recommend reading the mantra if you yourself do not know what to choose, although, as I said, there is not much difference.

In some lectures, including those whose translations I published on this site, it is recommended to concentrate on the energy flows that circulate inside the body. I am not a supporter of such meditation, because I cannot be sure of the existence of such flows. But again, it's all your choice.

Myths and prejudices about meditation

This is perhaps all that concerns the choice of meditation technique. Here I talked about the fact that there are different ways to meditate and, in my opinion, they do not differ much from each other in terms of effect and are based on general principle. This applies to different techniques. Naturally, I don't even touch such nonsense as the meditation of love, or the meditation of money, i.e. such practices that are supposedly designed to attract money or love.

Of course meditation attracts money and love but indirectly, if you practice, then over time you become more self-confident, mentally strong and independent. Having such qualities, it is much easier to get money or find love than when your personality does not have such qualities.

But I doubt that it is possible to directly attract money by some kind of prayer, during meditation. The belief in such magical properties of a mantra or prayer is a reflection of an archaic and selfish belief that the gods will give you handouts, find you a love partner and act as a financial sponsor if you ask them to do so.

Meditation is not a request addressed to an unknown higher mind, not a magical way to get some thing, but a method of self-development, an exercise in concentration and relaxation, which will undoubtedly improve your life, but only when you yourself make an effort for this, not with handouts from the gods. Everything depends only on you and only you build your life, you should not wait for heavenly mercy, or gifts of fate, you yourself are responsible for everything.