Things you don't learn in school- What is meditation?

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Meditation helps you train your mind just like sport or gym would train your body.  There are many meditation techniques but each technique uses a different mental skill.  

Have you ever tried to clear your mind and to think of absolutely nothing?   A state of mind where your mind is clear and open and you cannot be influenced by any negativity.  

Meditation is a technique that could help you focus better and it will only have a positive impact on your life. 

We are going to look at a few different meditation techniques and discuss each one in detail. 

Concentration meditation

Concentration meditation is exactly what it says.  This is where you concentrate on one specific point and you ONLY focus on that object.  You have to find one focus point in a room and then you stare only at this object so it is literally the only thing that you see.  This could be a candle or anything else that cannot move. A second option is to choose one word and repeat the word non-stop in a slow tone until this word is all you hear.  You can also listen to a clock ticking or even a drum beating on the same tone.  

This might be very challenging as your mind might wander off, but if that happens, just bring back your attention to the specific object or sound.  When your mind wanders off, let the thoughts just go and reconnect with the object.  You are now teaching yourself to concentrate and that is a key point in meditation. 

Mindfulness meditation

Mindfulness meditation helps you to solve your problems successfully.  This meditation technique helps you to work through your thoughts in a calm and relaxed way without the problems upsetting you.  

It literally means that you think about certain things that are upsetting your life, and you look at them through your mind’s eye. You become more aware of the problems you have, but mentally you do not allow these problems to upset you in any way.  You simply have to be aware that the problems are there. These are only temporary problems and there are always solutions.  Clearing your mind with this type of meditation makes you less scared about things you have to face and you develop and inner balance where you look at your problems from a different angle. 

Loving Kindness meditation

Loving kindness meditation helps you to get rid of negative feelings towards others.  The ultimate goal is to let go of any anger towards any other person and to get rid of stress. This type of meditation is good for people with anger issues, resentment or any other negative feelings they might have towards others. It teaches you self-control and even helps with post-traumatic stress or other mental issues. 

Progressive relaxation

Many people work in very stressful situations.  They are stressed out because they are overworked and do not have time to relax.  

Progressive relaxation is a meditation technique where the person focuses on their bodies while they think the stress away.  One technique to help you relax is to tense up your body and then to relax.  This way you teach your body to relax once you are stressed out.  

What are the benefits of meditation?

The positive effects totally outweighs the negative effects of meditation. Even if relaxation is not the ultimate goal of meditation it is most certain the result.  There is in fact no goal to meditation except the consciousness of the mind and to be present. 

Meditation makes you feel happier because you are more focused and relaxed.  Meditation causes a reduction in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.  

Meditation benefits also include:

• Relaxation 
• Lower blood pressure
• Less anxiety
• Lower heart rate
• Feelings of happiness 

How to meditate  

1. Sit or lie comfortably as if you are going for a massage.  

2. Close your eyes.  You can even put on a face mask during your meditation and wash it off afterwards.  This way you get two things done at once. 

3. Put in effort to control your breathing. Focus mainly on your breaths.  Breathe in breath out. If your mind wanders off, then simply go back to focusing on your breathing. Let all the negativity flow away from you. 

4. Only meditate for five to ten minutes in the beginning.  Once you have mastered this technique you can extend the time to half an hour per day.  

5.  Meditation can help you sleep better and it is advised that you start to practice these techniques in the beginning before you go to bed.  This will help clear your mind and you should have a better night's sleep.  You can also listen to meditation music or sleep with meditation videos which you can find on YouTube.