What is meditation?

Let’s train our mind to work for us instead of against us.

We have all kinds of ideas about meditation and there are many different types of meditation. Prayerful meditation is a powerful practice of peace, strength and calmness. It was Mother Theresa who said if we pray “The Lord’s Prayer”, meditate on it, and live it, we will live a Holy life. Focused attention meditation is a practice of contemplating empowering thoughts, calming mantras and positive affirmations. Open meditation is a type of practice where you are having an experience. You are not engaging your thoughts, just allowing them to come and go. Guided meditation and walking meditation is a type of open meditation.

Sow a thought, reap an action. Sow an action, reap a habit. Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.

~Stephen Covey

As defined by Wikipedia…meditation is the action or practice of contemplating, thinking, pondering and reflecting. So, the truth is, we are meditating everyday but unconsciously and on the wrong things. It has been said, if we know how to worry we know how to meditate.

We contemplate our problems, we think about all that is going wrong, or could go wrong. We think about what we are lacking and even rolling over and over negative things that have happened to us, and then we wonder why we feel anxious, stress, worried and exhausted. We are meditating on negativity, and this becomes toxic to our health and well-being. This way of thinking can be turned around!

We CAN meditate ourselves healthy, successful, strong, confident and empowered.

The benefits of meditation and time out peaceful moments should not be underestimated. The positive consequences of consistent practice are:

• Reduces stress and tension instantly
• Improves depression
• Releases fear
• Reduces anxiety and feelings of worry
• Clears your mind, and allows your mind to be more focused and alert
• Helps you live more consciously and aware
• Lowers Blood Pressure
• Diminishes headaches and migraines
• Relieves insomnia
• Frees the mind from self doubt and clutter
• People around you become calmer because you are calm and at ease.
• Creates feelings of optimism, self-esteem, self-confidence and motivation

The prayerful meditations and the empowering thought meditations as part of the “Empower Yourself” course membership will help you think in a positive, hopeful and healthy way. When our thoughts are healthy and positive, our actions and attitude will be healthy and positive. Stay consistent, and be patient with your practice!