Develop Your Powers Of Concentration With Chanting
Wednesday, September 01st, 2010 / Matt

Chanting is the spiritual practice of repeating a word, a sound, a phrase or an entire poem, song, or verse.  Many of the worlds spiritual and religions traditions uphold a practice of chanting in some form or another.

There are many purposes to a chanting practice.  The nature of the purpose tends to related to the particular tradition or practice itself.

One thing that chanting does facilitate for all the traditions, is that of concentration.

Believe it or not, your powers of concentration can be developed through the repetition of chanting a particular phrase, mantra or verse.   

On the chanting of that mantra, all of your attention is focused.  All your energy, your attention, your emotions are directed to that mantra.  The sound you produce is the mantra or chant.  If your mind naturally does wander as you start your chanting practice, it has to wander back in order to do the chanting itself.

This facilitates the development of concentration.  In the yoga traditions they refer to this as “one pointed concentration”.

But what exactly is the purpose of developing concentration?

Having the ability to concentrate the mind provides numerous benefits.  There are the obvious benefits that can be applied to everyday life.

A capacity to stay focused.  The ability to stay with the task at hand.  The ability to develop your memory and not forget. 

New neural connections in the brain are created when you practice chanting on an ongoing basis.  New neural pathways of concentration are created in the brain.

In modern times there is the rise of ADD and all attention related disorders.  Unfortunately the human mind is becoming something of a mess.  The capacity to focus, concentrate, remember and actually retain information is become a lost art in todays age.

All of this is not helped with the media we surround ourselves with such as the TV, DVDs, film, telephones etc etc and the information overload we consume as our diet.

The brain is helped and concentration is developed with a chanting practice.  This concentration can then be applied, or rather is naturally integrated into life for when you need to accomplish things that require focus and concentration.   All this from a chanting practice!

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Mantra Meditation And The Importance Of Mala Beads
Wednesday, September 01st, 2010 / Matt

What are are mala beads and how can they be of use in a mantra meditation practice? 

Made from many different types and styles of material are bead necklaces which are made specifically for mantra meditation and these are called mala beads.

Often in a mantra meditation the number of times a mantra is chanted is of importance.  Often a mantra will need to be chanted 108 times or in groups of 108 times or sometimes in other numbers or groups of other numbers.

This is because it is said to be auspicious to chant for a particular number of times.  It is also related to what function the mantra has.  Thus there is an importance on knowing how many times the mantra is chanted.

But how can the number of times a mantra is chanting be counted?  Of course it is difficult to keep track of the number of times you have chanted a mantra.  Of course the difficulty gets even higher if there is a high number to chant like the 108 desired times.

Also focusing on trying to keep count of the number of times the mantra has been chanted doesn’t really aid the meditative state or the end objective of the mantra meditation practice.  It then becomes easy to be anxious about numbers instead of the mantra practice itself.  You can quite easily end up a mantra counter rather than a mantra meditator!

Here is where mala beads are very helpful.  Mala beads are necklaces of beads.  Mala beads are commonly made with having the required number of beads for mantra meditation.  Meaning there is usually 108 beads.  So the mala bead necklace becomes the calculator of the mantra.  Then the practitioner of the mantra meditation is free to focus on the goals of the meditation instead of counting mantras.  Once you come to a special place on the necklace, you know you have finished 1 round of 108 mantras.

Once learned how to use the mala beads which is not difficult, it is then much easier to focus solely on the end objective of the mantra meditation practice.

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Changing Our Lives With Guided Meditation
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 / Matt

We can learn to access the power of our minds just by using the guided imagery meditation. We will discover how we can change our self image that will create positive changes in our lives. it is always helpful to communicate with our subconscious mind that the guided meditational techniques will give us.

All we need to have is a quiet place that is free from any distractions. That way, we can be free with our mind and we can focus only with our subconscious. It will just take about 10 minutes. Try turning off your phone and closing the door for a while to avoid any sudden noise and distractions.

You can choose either to sit up or lie down, however you feel comfortable. Close your eyes as you take deep breaths for about five minutes. Continue to inhale and exhale. Mentally say the word “relax” as you breathe out. After breathing deeply for five times, go back to your normal breathing pace.

For this technique, try to visualize a lemon while you are in a relaxed state. Visualize in your mind that you are inside of a grocery store and you see a lemon in the produced aisle. In your mind, visualize that you are picking up a lemon. It is now in your hand. Imagine that you smell it. Then you are cutting the lemon in half using a sharp knife. In your mind, you see the juice runs down the blade of the knife. Again, pretend that you are squeezing the lemon in your mouth. You can taste the bitterness and sourness of the lemon.

Did you notice what happened to your mouth? It salivated. This means that you have activated your body with your subconscious mind. After you have done with that step, you can now try to start imagining yourself with the changes you desire. It can be anything that you want.

See yourself in a store again. Visualize that laptop you are wanting. You can see its good features. Imagine yourself holding that laptop. Then see yourself reaching onto your wallet with lots of cash. You are then going to the cashier and actually paying for the laptop.

Continue imagining that until you went home, and started using it. You can now feel the excitement in your outside body as if you’re actually in that imagination.

It is all a very good practice for you to do. Repeat the process every morning after you wake up. You will feel a sudden change and transformation. Within 21 days, continue with the process and you will eventually come up to that state where in your imaginations will actually come to life.

Changing our lives with a guided meditation helps us focus more. It will give us the feeling of being guided outside of reality and bringing our souls to where we want to be.

Related Articles
Guided Meditation
Beliefs of Buddhism
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Mantra Meditation And The Importance Of Mala Beads
Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 / Matt

What are are mala beads and how can they be of use in a mantra meditation practice? 

Made from many different types and styles of material are bead necklaces which are made specifically for mantra meditation and these are called mala beads.

Often in a mantra meditation the number of times a mantra is chanted is of importance.  Often a mantra will need to be chanted 108 times or in groups of 108 times or sometimes in other numbers or groups of other numbers.

This is because it is said to be auspicious to chant for a particular number of times.  It is also related to what function the mantra has.  Thus there is an importance on knowing how many times the mantra is chanted.

But how can the number of times a mantra is chanting be counted?  Of course it is difficult to keep track of the number of times you have chanted a mantra.  Of course the difficulty gets even higher if there is a high number to chant like the 108 desired times.

Also focusing on trying to keep count of the number of times the mantra has been chanted doesn’t really aid the meditative state or the end objective of the mantra meditation practice.  It then becomes easy to be anxious about numbers instead of the mantra practice itself.  You can quite easily end up a mantra counter rather than a mantra meditator!

Here is where mala beads are very helpful.  Mala beads are necklaces of beads.  Mala beads are commonly made with having the required number of beads for mantra meditation.  Meaning there is usually 108 beads.  So the mala bead necklace becomes the calculator of the mantra.  Then the practitioner of the mantra meditation is free to focus on the goals of the meditation instead of counting mantras.  Once you come to a special place on the necklace, you know you have finished 1 round of 108 mantras.

Once learned how to use the mala beads which is not difficult, it is then much easier to focus solely on the end objective of the mantra meditation practice.

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Learning To Meditate Is Easier Than You Think
Tuesday, August 24th, 2010 / Matt

Learning to meditate may seem like a daunting task, particularly in the face of so many preconceived ideas about this ancient form of relaxation. To many the idea of meditation is associated with sage-like wisdom and the ability to sit immobile in uncomfortable positions for endless hours. To many this goes hand in hand with fasting and other forms of self-denial.

You do not have to be a mystic yogi to be able to meditate. All you need to do at first is to set aside some quiet time and to make a concerted effort to ensure that you are not disturbed as you attempt to meditate. Unplug your telephone, turn off the television and if necessary, inform any friends or family members that you do not wish to be disturbed.

Make sure to dress in comfortable clothing, ensure that the room you plan on meditating in is neither too hot nor too cold. If you like, light some scented candles or some pleasantly fragranced incense. Be sure that you are neither hungry nor thirsty when you begin. This may seem like a silly consideration, but once you have settled down to meditate, being interrupted by a rumbling stomach is the last thing you need.

Your next step is to ensure that you are comfortable. You can either sit comfortably in a chair or lay down ensuring that your head and neck are fully supported. Choose whatever position you are most at ease in so that you can focus on other things easily without distractions.

The idea is to be able to turn your focus elsewhere and you cannot do that if your are physically uncomfortable. Once you are comfortable, close your eyes and simply relax and focus on your breathing. Begin by taking slow, deep measured breaths and trying to make your breathing circular.

As you breathe, clear your mind of the daily chores and worries. Simply relax and breathe and try to empty your mind of the daily clutter that keeps it going around in circles. Become aware of your body and if you sense any pain or tension direct your breath at these areas, imagining that as you exhale that you are releasing it from you.

The goal here is to simply quiet your mind, which can be a difficult task at first. If thoughts pop into your head, simply focus on clearing them away and focus again on your breathing. At first you may only be able to do this for a few seconds, or a minute or so, but persevere. The mind is like a wayward child and will rebel against being disciplined, but look, you are meditating already!

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Mantra Meditation And The Importance Of Mala Beads
Monday, August 23rd, 2010 / Matt

What are are mala beads and how can they be of use in a mantra meditation practice? 

Made from many different types and styles of material are bead necklaces which are made specifically for mantra meditation and these are called mala beads.

Often in a mantra meditation the number of times a mantra is chanted is of importance.  Often a mantra will need to be chanted 108 times or in groups of 108 times or sometimes in other numbers or groups of other numbers.

This is because it is said to be auspicious to chant for a particular number of times.  It is also related to what function the mantra has.  Thus there is an importance on knowing how many times the mantra is chanted.

But how can the number of times a mantra is chanting be counted?  Of course it is difficult to keep track of the number of times you have chanted a mantra.  Of course the difficulty gets even higher if there is a high number to chant like the 108 desired times.

Also focusing on trying to keep count of the number of times the mantra has been chanted doesn’t really aid the meditative state or the end objective of the mantra meditation practice.  It then becomes easy to be anxious about numbers instead of the mantra practice itself.  You can quite easily end up a mantra counter rather than a mantra meditator!

Here is where mala beads are very helpful.  Mala beads are necklaces of beads.  Mala beads are commonly made with having the required number of beads for mantra meditation.  Meaning there is usually 108 beads.  So the mala bead necklace becomes the calculator of the mantra.  Then the practitioner of the mantra meditation is free to focus on the goals of the meditation instead of counting mantras.  Once you come to a special place on the necklace, you know you have finished 1 round of 108 mantras.

Once learned how to use the mala beads which is not difficult, it is then much easier to focus solely on the end objective of the mantra meditation practice.

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Deep Breathing Exercises To Clear Your Mind
Thursday, August 19th, 2010 / Matt

When you take short, shallow breaths you are actually limiting the amount of oxygen that’s made available to your brain and also the rest of one’s body. Shallow breathing can also improve blood pressure, as your heart has to pump quicker to find the limited quantity of oxygen you’re giving it towards the rest of your body. Practicing deep breathing workouts will assist equally soothe your mind and body, although also increasing your metabolic rate.

Since oxygen feeds our entire body; digestion is inhibited when your other bodily functions (I.e., breathing) are slowed down. Deep breathing exercises could be done as many times as you like throughout the day and are a staple in all martial arts, yoga and meditation methods.

Wake up with a burst of oxygen

Why rely on caffeine and sugar to obtain your entire body going when you can do deep breathing exercises? The answer for most of us is that it doesn’t require very much thought to grab a coffee or sugary donuts; although stopping to breathe correctly for 5 minutes seems like a chore to most persons. Your entire body and mind will appreciate the heightened oxygen levels you acquire from simple deep breathing exercises, much more than it will love being a slave towards the morning caffeine fix.

How it’s carried out

Although yoga, kickboxing and meditation courses will teach you how to breathe correctly and keep fit too: Here’s a simple exercise you are able to do:

Sit with your back straight, head up and shoulders back.
As soon as your posture is right inhale as deep and slow as you can into your stomach.
Hold the breath for a two-count, then exhale all the air from your body.
Repeat this exercise 5 – 10 times and you should be staying healthy.

(Note: As soon as you’ve done this exercise for a while, begin varying how long you hold your breath in for. As soon as your muscles can handle the exercise, you can increase the tempo and take faster breaths, mixed with longer ones. Just make certain your breathing deep into your tummy.)

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Combating Stress Through Massage Therapy
Friday, August 13th, 2010 / Matt

Body massage therapy

There may be several remedies for relieving stress and tension, that are difficult to avoid in the complexities of modern life for any age-group, but among the most enjoyable and peaceable ones is opting for massage therapy.

Medical research has pointed out that most of today’s health problems are caused by stress, that may be caused also from improper diets, following an unhealthy life-style, working overtime or in a disorganized way etc. The normal factor among all these possible causes for stress is that no matter what the source of the stress, it has a damaging effect on the bodily systems, that are required to be maintained properly for sustained, healthy output.

This is why it is important to banish stress and the eliminate the factors that lead to it; if this is not possible immediately and needs to be worked slowly at, the best way out is to take up a successful stress-relieving treatments, like massage therapy affords in order to combat various health problems that will crop up due to uncontrolled stress. These include gastrointestinal disorders, cardiac disease, loss of memory besides decreased immune function.

Of course, there is always medication for relieving stress and while pill-popping is popular and even advertised highly on the TV, it is not recommended as either a long-term or even a safe option. This is the reason massage therapy has gained so much importance in recent times with people having experienced first-hand the benefits and the joys of a good, therapeutic massage and with so many types of massage abounding, not to mention massage parlors and literature promoting the practice, is it a surprise that it’s such a favorite topic?

Not really would be the right answer – for there are many people in the world who have benefited from a good, timely and warm massage therapy and the thoughtful manipulation of body tissues that relax mind, body, muscle, sinew, nerves and much more – releasing not just muscular tension and metabolic waste, but also promoting nutrient delivery for hastening tissuehealing tissue.

Thus, the current belief that massage therapy is a boon isn’t far-off because its blessings are a-plenty for people who have tried it and come out significantly more at peace, in better health – both mentally and physically and better equipped also to face the demands of a changing world. From the realm of alternate medicine and healthcare systems that were centuries old, such as those practiced in India, Japan, Sweden and China come the best types of massage therapy that’re aimed at preventing, controlling and even curing chronic ailments so the individual can enjoy an enhanced sense of holistic healing.

What makes massage therapy such a blessing for modern, stress-filled lives and people is the fact that it works on varied principles that improve our body’s immune system, helps release harmful chemicals from the body and has a joyful effect of peace, contentment and relaxation due to a trained therapist’s hands working to improve health by acting directly on the muscular, nervous, circulatory and immune systems at one time.

Massage Therapy basically releases endocrine (the happy hormones) and combines comprehensive knowledge of human anatomy, specific body part healing techniques, pathology and human psychology so is only beneficial when performed by a trained therapist who has received proper education in all these aspects – learn about the credentials to become one, or even to pick one!

 

 

Want to find out more about for massage therapy, then visit http://www.bodymassagetherapy.net/ on how to choose the best  massage therapy techniques for your needs.

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EFT Tapping Give You Power To Change Your Life
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 / Matt

YouTube EFT

What things in your life would you like to change? Emotions or behaviors that aren’t serving you anymore? What if I told you there is an easy way to improve your emotional state?

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) is a method that can help you do just that. The basis of this method is that tapping on points along acupuncture energy meridians can help reset your emotional energy. EFT tapping is simple to do and can alter your negative emotional state quickly.

Can you remember a time in your childhood that you were scolded for something you didn’t know was wrong?

The event may have caused you to feel ashamed, scared or uncertain of yourself. These kind of events create doubts that you may carry with you for a long time afterward and these negative feelings can hold you back from being as successful and confident as you could possibly be.

By using EFT tapping therapy and thinking about the past event at the same time, you can begin to change the negative emotions you are experiencing.

Almost instantly, you can change your uncertainty into confidence. You can also change any beliefs that were formed during this event by concentrating on them as well.

Perhaps it caused you to believe that there was something wrong with you or that you were a bad person. Thinking about these beliefs while tapping can help you realize that they are not truths, only beliefs.

This realization can begin to transform the way you feel about yourself!

It’s easy to learn EFT tapping.  You can learn the tapping points in just over one minute in this YouTube EFT video. 

EFT Tappping puts your life in your hands.  It’s a free form of self-help. By learning this technique you can be on your way to happier and more confident you!

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Six Quick Ways To Feel Better Fast
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010 / Matt

YouTube EFT

Everybody gets in a bad mood sometimes.  It’s just part of being human

But, because being in a lousy mood can obscure the good feelings that are possible, even from being productive and feeling joy, it can be wonderful to know some ways to turn a bad mood into a good one.

The following are six ways I use all the time to turn my mood around.

1. Smile.
Smiling actually changes the way the brain functions and stops negative neural pathways. In addition it helps train the brain to think more positively more often.

Smiling alone makes you feel better.  And, when your smile is aimed at another, you’ve just spread the contagion of smiling and feeling happy.

2. Yawn.
To yawn is wonderful for the reason that so many beneficial things happen.  It reduces stress, relaxes your body and promotes pleasure and heightens sensuality. 

If you just open your mouth and pretend to yawn, soon you’ll be yawning for real.  Try it now!

#3 YES!
When you say yes, it automatically puts you in a more positive state of mind. 

Counting on your fingers, ask ten questions of yourself and answer “yes”.  Start out easy, for example, Am I asking myself a question?  “Yes.”

As you continue asking, get more and more enthusiastic, asking questions that make you happier and happier.

4. Appreciate.
Just look around where ever you are find something you appreciate. Silently think of a reason you appreciate it.  Now think of a second reason.  And another, and another.

Then move on to another object.  This activity can be done virtuallyanywhere and at any time.

#5 Tapping
The energy system of your body can become habitual in an emotional state and a pattern of thinking.

When you tap on some specific points, the ones used in Chinese acupuncture, can clear the blocked energy and enable good thoughts and feelings to return naturally.

The simple process is called EFT tapping.  You can learn how to do this tapping therapy in as little as 10 minutes by reading and following this free EFT manual and you may want to watch the one-minute YouTube EFT video at the top of this page.

Six:  If I did feel happy…
If you’re in a pretty bad mood to start with, it’s pretty difficult to go from low to high in a single leap.  Try this.

Either silently, aloud or in writing.  Say, If I were to feel good right now, I could possibly feel happy about”  then complete the sentence.

Keep saying the same thing, finishing the thought with something that you would feel happy about. 

In no time at all, you’ll find yourself feeling better and better.

I hope these six suggestions help you next time you want to shake a bad mood.

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