What is meditation and how do you do it? Article by Empowered Within.
Breathwork Meditation is a form of clearing your mind and just focusing on your breathing. It trains you to focus your mind on something else like your breathing, instead of wandering thoughts. Anytime you have a wandering thought come into mind, you bring your attention back to your breathing. Allowing your mind to become silent for longer and longer periods of time. This does take some practice because some people have never experience their mind being quiet. I was one of those people and it only took me a few months. Practicing hypnosis and guided imagery does assist you in pushing out the wandering thoughts of the day and just giving into the bliss of relaxation. During hypnosis and guided imagery, I always have my clients focus on their breathing. Making it smooth, deep and rhythmic.
During breathwork meditation you will be more aware of your bodily sensations or your feelings. You are observing your working mind and finding a healthy way to detach from your day-to-day passing thoughts. When you practice this technique, you can actually utilize this wonderful technique to quickly calm you down during a stressful situation. You can bring yourself back to a peaceful and relaxing state, regardless of your current situation. They do say stress is a choice. It is how “WE” react to stress that really matters.
Research has shown that meditation can contribute to your physiological as well as your psychological and well-being. This is accomplished because meditation brings your brainwave pattern into an alpha state, which is the level at which healing begins.
What is meditation and how do you do it?
Here are some of the benefits you can expect.
Physiological Benefits
Deep rest-as measured by decreased metabolic rate, lower heart rate, and reduced work load of the heart
Lowered levels of cortisol and lactate-two chemicals associated with stress
Reduction of free radicals- unstable oxygen molecules that can cause tissue damage
Decreased high blood pressure
Higher skin resistance. Low skin resistance is correlated with higher stress and anxiety levels
Drop in cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is associated with cardiovascular disease
Improved flow of air to the lungs resulting in easier breathing. This has been very helpful to asthma patients
Decreases the aging process
Psychological Benefits
Greater creativity
Decreased anxiety
Decreased depression
Decreased irritability and moodiness
Improved learning ability and memory
Increased feelings of vitality and rejuvenation
Increased happiness
Increased emotional stability
What is meditation and how do you do it?
Meditation is very easy. I suggest you start with a breathing meditation. Sit with your eyes partially closed and turn your attention to your breathing. Breath naturally, preferably through the nostrils, without attempting to control your breath, and try to become aware of the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves the nostrils. This sensation is your object of meditation. Concentrate on your breathing until everything else seems to fade way. Continue this for 20 minutes.
There are other forms of mediation, such as focusing on counting your breaths or repeating a simple phrase/mantra. Some people watch a candle flame or even a certain spot on the wall. In all, you are simply learning to be still, quiet your mind, relax, and see what unfolds. You can have some wonderful realization or sensations during meditation as well as hypnosis and guided imagery.
I would not say one is better then the other because in my practice, I incorporate all aspects (breathwork, guided imagery and hypnosis). I find it to be very effective. Why? Because some people have a hard time visualizing or imaging. Some people have a hard time relaxing and they have to do some breathwork in order to allow their body to relax. In the terms of hypnosis, some people are inferred. This means they do not like being told what to do.
By incorporating all three elements, people do find a sense of relaxation. They feel like they are in control and they are more open to being guided, once they gather your trust. Once they gather your trust, they are more open to the hypnotic suggestions because they do want and desire the positive outcome.
