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Archive for the ‘Meditation’ Category

Meditation: Peace from Within

January 29th, 2009 No comments

By: Sam Jose
Meditation is a simple mental practice, which looks like thinking, but goes far beyond the process of thinking. Meditation is a heightened state of awareness. The practice of meditation can be seen in ancient religious texts (Christian, Muslim and most importantly Hindu scripts). The most widely followed meditation is Yoga meditation. Yoga was part of ancient Indian (Hindu) life and is still widely practiced. Yoga also suggests a few asana (yoga poses) for meditation and there are poses that are not suited for meditation.

Meditation, as a religious ritual was practiced for over 5000 years. The most developed form of meditation is from India, the yoga meditation. Originally proposed as a religious practice, yoga meditation is now widely practiced in the western world for its curative and pacifying effects. This kind of medicine is proved to have positive effects on both physical and mental health. Conditions like high blood pressure, insomnia, stress, etc are effectively cured with guided yoga meditation.

The goal of meditation can vary. Initially, meditation can be practiced just for relaxation. Meditation gives a relaxed and peaceful mind. Meditation can also give you greater focus and concentration powers. Meditation involves meditating of a single point or idea. This concentration passes on to all other aspects of your life. Ancient yoga practitioners of India aimed spiritual awakening through meditation. Buddha was originally meditating under a Bodhi (ficus) tree, when he achieved enlightenment. Sikhism, Taoism, Jainism, etc have meditation as an important part of their religious rituals. Similarly, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc also have disciples of meditation at varying levels.

Eastern martial arts like Karate, Kung fu, etc required the practitioners to meditate, to increase concentration and for better performance.

The first stage of meditation is choosing a calm location, free from distractions of all kinds. In the ancient times, Indian sages went to forests, away from other the civilization to meditate and they meditate for several years. And they mostly meditated while in the lotus pose of yoga practice. They also meditated while standing on one foot.

Meditation includes first stopping your mind from wandering into distractive thoughts. The only way you can do this is by first observing the thoughts that come to your mind, without making any effort to control or stop the thoughts. After a few days of trying, there will be only a few dozen thoughts coming to your mind, as against the hundreds of thoughts that pestered you while you started your attempt of meditation. Further attempt of a few more days will help you control your thoughts and put your focus on just one thought or idea.

One easier way to control the excess of thoughts is to just listen to the rhythm of your breathing, without controlling it. Soon you can contemplate on one thought or no thought at all. When you can fully concentrate, without the knowledge of the outside world, you have achieved the conditions of meditation. Even if you approach it as a means of fighting stress and a means of achieving higher levels of concentration, meditation will soon help you experience a spiritual bliss no one else can explain it to you.

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Meditation: Peace from Within

January 27th, 2009 No comments

By: Sam Jose
Meditation is a simple mental practice, which looks like thinking, but goes far beyond the process of thinking. Meditation is a heightened state of awareness. The practice of meditation can be seen in ancient religious texts (Christian, Muslim and most importantly Hindu scripts). The most widely followed meditation is Yoga meditation. Yoga was part of ancient Indian (Hindu) life and is still widely practiced. Yoga also suggests a few asana (yoga poses) for meditation and there are poses that are not suited for meditation.

Meditation, as a religious ritual was practiced for over 5000 years. The most developed form of meditation is from India, the yoga meditation. Originally proposed as a religious practice, yoga meditation is now widely practiced in the western world for its curative and pacifying effects. This kind of medicine is proved to have positive effects on both physical and mental health. Conditions like high blood pressure, insomnia, stress, etc are effectively cured with guided yoga meditation.

The goal of meditation can vary. Initially, meditation can be practiced just for relaxation. Meditation gives a relaxed and peaceful mind. Meditation can also give you greater focus and concentration powers. Meditation involves meditating of a single point or idea. This concentration passes on to all other aspects of your life. Ancient yoga practitioners of India aimed spiritual awakening through meditation. Buddha was originally meditating under a Bodhi (ficus) tree, when he achieved enlightenment. Sikhism, Taoism, Jainism, etc have meditation as an important part of their religious rituals. Similarly, Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc also have disciples of meditation at varying levels.

Eastern martial arts like Karate, Kung fu, etc required the practitioners to meditate, to increase concentration and for better performance.

The first stage of meditation is choosing a calm location, free from distractions of all kinds. In the ancient times, Indian sages went to forests, away from other the civilization to meditate and they meditate for several years. And they mostly meditated while in the lotus pose of yoga practice. They also meditated while standing on one foot.

Meditation includes first stopping your mind from wandering into distractive thoughts. The only way you can do this is by first observing the thoughts that come to your mind, without making any effort to control or stop the thoughts. After a few days of trying, there will be only a few dozen thoughts coming to your mind, as against the hundreds of thoughts that pestered you while you started your attempt of meditation. Further attempt of a few more days will help you control your thoughts and put your focus on just one thought or idea.

One easier way to control the excess of thoughts is to just listen to the rhythm of your breathing, without controlling it. Soon you can contemplate on one thought or no thought at all. When you can fully concentrate, without the knowledge of the outside world, you have achieved the conditions of meditation. Even if you approach it as a means of fighting stress and a means of achieving higher levels of concentration, meditation will soon help you experience a spiritual bliss no one else can explain it to you.

Article Source:http://www.contentfueled.com

Causeless Happiness Is Who You Are Already by Elysha

January 26th, 2009 No comments

By: Elysha
As you learn to leave alone the activity of unconsciously trying to be the mindbody that you think that you are - the mindbody that this “you” is currently flowing through - and you learn to move as this one that you truly are - this “you” of you; the very heart of existence - steadily, consciously and momentarily, the continuity of the ever deepening of this innermost as it keeps on entering its manifestation, through this mindbody that you find yourself flowing through, allows you to simply bubble in the sheer joy, pleasure, peace, delightfulness and stillness that this “you” of you is.

As more of this divine one that you are is seen, through you being deeply at rest at and as this one - instead of you being distracted by the movement and motion of you trying to be who you think you are - you learn to move from this “you” of you while the dance of life continues to be danced through this mindbody that you find yourself flowing through.

Your true home is in being deeply at rest at and as the heart of existence itself, the “you” that you truly are and have always been. The heart is totally free of everything even as it contains everything, sustains everything and is flowing through everything - without any paradox or contradiction to any of it.

True happiness is completely causeless; it is not reliant on a thing; it is its own reward, its own pleasure. It is immutable and immovable even as it is constantly changing and forever increasing in its movement into its own manifestation.

You can only come to it by no longer trying to perpetuate your activity of trying to be what is notyou - who you think you are is; this mind informed mindbody that you find yourself flowing through. It is in the surrendering of who you think you are; the letting go of this momentary attempt of yours in trying to be what is notyou; the leaving alone of the mistaken identity of your belief in who you think you are; that you come to the extraordinary wonderment, beauty and delight of beingness - of you being the “you” that you already are.

Harmony will be the result of you learning to move from this “you” that is the seer that is flowing through the eyes of this mindbody that you would otherwise mistake to be you. This “you” of you brings harmony to the disharmony of a mind informed mindbody.

Who you are is this “motion of seeing” that is looking through your eyes right now. When you stop at and as this “motion of aliveness” - by consciously refocusing your attention to this seer; by coming to being deeply at rest at and as this one that is the “you” that you can never get away from; by no longer furthering out from this “you” and into the attempt to try and be something that is notyou; you are immediately freed from who you think you are in every given moment of this realization.

Find this “you” of you - who you are - and stop at and as this one as it flows through this mindbody that you find yourself so intimately involved with.

Learn to move from this “you” as the great dance of life continues to be danced through this mindbody that this “you” is flowing through.

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Increase Productivity & Profitability in Your Dental Practice

January 26th, 2009 No comments

By: Alder Mickie
The Center for Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry, or C.A.R.D., is designed for dentists who wish to increase the productivity and profitability of their aesthetic dentistry dental practice. These 2 day classes designed by Dr. Steven Cutbirth, combine a comprehensive presentation in conjunction with hands-on training and interactive demonstrations. Whether just opening a new practice or looking to streamline a pre-existing one, dentists attending Dr. Cutbirth’s dental continuing education courses can expect to elevate their understanding of comprehensive advanced dental concepts resulting in dramatically increased case acceptance and practice productivity and profitability. Dental CE credits will be awarded for each course completed.
The base courses include:
%26#61607; Part 1 Veneers
%26#61607; Part 2 - Anterior Crowns/Bridges
%26#61607; Part 3 - Function/Treatment of Facial Pain
%26#61607; Part 4 - Treatment of Complex Restorative Cases
%26#61607; Part 5 - Secrets of the low overhead, highest quality, low volume, $1,000,000++++ Dental Practice

$1,000,000++++ Dental Practice
All courses are designed to increase productivity and profitability for new and existing dental practices. Dental CE credits will be awarded to those dentists who take advantage of the C.A.R.D. system to increase productivity and increase dental practice profitability through aesthetic dentistry. Each course earns certification for 14 Dental Continuing Education credits. Masters courses are available for those dentists who have mastered the advanced aesthetic dentistry dental courses.

The first course in the series, Part 1 Veneers, covers all veneer tooth preparation techniques. It also covers treatment planning complex veneer cases including crowded and displaced teeth. How to charge for these procedures is also covered including financing for patients. The components of the perfect smile are discussed.

Part 2 of the course covers Anterior Crowns and Bridges.
Part 3 covers Function/Treatment of Facial Pain. Each course earns 14 Dental CE credits and ensures that dentists are trained in the latest techniques to start a profitable dental practice or to streamline and increase productivity and profitability in an existing practice.

Part 4 of the C.A.R.D. system covers the treatment of complex restorative cases including severe wear. The sequence of restoration, and when and how to increase vertical dimension are explained and demonstrated. Soft tissue, facial muscle and TMJ health during and following complex restorations are covered in this course. How to effectively communicate with patients so they will proceed with needed complex restorations is discussed along with Case/cost analysis and financing for dental patients. This course will earn certification for 14 Dental CE credits.

Part 5 of the series is titled Secrets of the low overhead, highest quality, low volume, $1,000,000++++ Dental Practice. This course covers methods to move away from high volume, low production, managed care to low volume, high production, fee-for-service practice that will increase the productivity and profitability of any new or existing dental practice. Dentists attending this course will learn how to use photography and the Before %26 After Books to double, triple, even quadruple their case acceptance and practice production.
Each course is a two-day course, on Friday and Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., combining a comprehensive presentation in conjunction with hands-on training and interactive demonstrations. This schedule makes it possible for practicing dentists to attend the aesthetic dentistry courses with a minimal disruption to their dental practice.

Included each day is a continental breakfast at 7:30 am and a lunch at noon.

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A Very Different Mode Of Attention Is Required For Self Realization

January 25th, 2009 No comments

By: Elysha
Once you get a taste of the immensity of your self, the heart, who you already are, you will naturally want to simply stay there and never leave or forget this one that is who you truly are.

You will be so attracted to what it is that who you are is. You will.

Unfortunately for you though, is that you will keep on forgetting who you are and you will keep on reverting back to that which has been so familiar to you for ever so long. You will keep on being distracted by who you think you are. It is like a stuck record.

Now there is something that you can do from within this stuck and repetitive groove that you find yourself consistently and constantly reverting to.

For you to do something from within this arena of distraction that you find yourself being distracted by, you will require a strong desire to be free - to be home, to be the heart, to be self, to awaken, to be freedom itself.

Without a clear desire to be home you will only whistle around in the wind being distracted by whatever should “wink” at you - kind of like what is currently going on.

If you wish to come home to the heart - to be what is already true of who you are - then a very different mode of attention is required to the ones that you are currently up to.

There is a “motion of seeing” that is flowing through your eyes right now. This “motion of aliveness” happens to be who you are. Come to rest as this “motion of seeing” that is flowing through your eyes and you are immediately relieved of who you think you are.

Who you are is unattached and unshaken. Who you are is lucid, silent, peaceful, alert and unafraid, without desire or fear.

Meditate on who you are as your true being and try to be it in your daily life and you will realize it in its fullness - I promise you.

You cannot keep giving your conscious attention to who you are - this “motion of seeing” that is flowing through your eyes - without you becoming unbound, unglued, unhinged and unstuck from who you think you are.

“Stop and drop” and “see and be”.

Article Source:http://www.contentfueled.com

Awaken to Bliss and Truth

January 25th, 2009 No comments

By: lynn gomez
****By meditating, we develop a mental equilibrium, a balanced mind that is happy all the time, rather than an unbalanced mind that bounces between the extremes of excitement and despondency.

Quiet your mind - that’s primary - so that you can tap into the true flow of life. It is a reaching up into what goes beyond this life, this ego, this spot of time and space.

Take a breath slowly, counting to eight. Hold the breath for the same eight counts while concentrating your attention at the point between the eyebrows. Now exhale slowly to the same count of eight. Repeat three to six times.

Inhale silently, and exhale “shh.” Then inhale again silently, and exhale “mmm.” Repeat this process, allowing it to draw you deeper and deeper into the “mmm” sound.

In order to achieve a meditative state you must return the awareness back to the sensation of the breath again and again. As the mind wanders, gently guide its attention back to the breath, don’t judge yourself.

Go deep within yourself, and connect with your inner vitality. Be compassionate with yourself. Allow the mind to be still - through this stillness, you will eventually transcend the mind and fully experience consciousness, your own true nature. This brings you to a state of bliss and truth. TO FULLY AWAKEN!

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Vipassana Meditation Course: The Objective and Benefits

January 23rd, 2009 No comments

By: Bertil Hjert
Vipassana can be referred to as an ancient technique of meditation. The technique was rediscovered by Gautam the Buddha. This rediscovery was made about 2500 years ago.

This asana (posture) is taught by several instructors in India and many countries abroad. The instructions are mainly provided under the guidance of Sir S.N. Goenka. He is widely acclaimed as the principal teacher of Vipassana.

This form of meditation is known to promote conscious lifestyle changes and even works towards enhancing concentration of mind. The whole process also helps in providing deeper psychological introspection and ultimately results in certain behavioral changes that are long lasting.

Once your total being gets absorbed in meditation, all the stress and strain you experience in your daily life will slip away from your shoulders. Within a few minutes, you would feel physically as well as mentally refreshed and rested.

- Main objectives of Vipassana is the Purification of mind

This is one of the best benefits that can be enjoyed by the person who performs this form of meditation. This technique works towards bringing out full transformation of the human personality.

No wonder, this meditation technique is usually described as a technique of purifying the mind of the instincts it has developed long back. This further facilitates the individual in exhibiting the true qualities of a human being such as tolerance, equanimity, kindness, sympathy, forgiveness and a lot more.

The technique reveals the true nature and the ultimate purpose of existence of human soul. The whole benefit is obtained in a scientific manner. This is done via a systematic cultivation of Right mindfulness in conjunction with non-reactivity.

Here are some of the characteristics of Vipassana meditation:

a) The Vipassana meditation technique is universal. You can practice it irrespective of whatever caste, creed or country you belong to.

b) It works towards getting to the base of an individuals defilements in the unconscious mind and also minimizes the distance between the unconscious and conscious layers of the mind.

c) One does not require to use the imagination in this technique of meditation. The person who practices this form of meditation requires to walk on the path himself. No one is going to make the effort but the individual who practices it. One does not require any ritual of teacher guidance in this form of technique.

d) As one works towards becoming a better individual, the more he or she is going to obtain the benefits.

Here are certain steps of Vipassana meditation you need to perform in order to ensure best of benefits and performance:

a) To start with, one requires to take a vow of observing certain rules related to moral conduct also known as sila.

b) One requires to abstain from stealing, lying, taking an intoxicant, killing any sentient being or sexual misconduct.

c) One requires to be aware of the respiration process. It involves regular observation of the natural flow of inhaling and exhaling the breath.

d) The action of observing the breath promoted awareness of the current moment and tranquility of mind.

There are several benefits of performing this form of meditation including corrective influence of psychic disturbances.

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Pure Awareness, Pure Seeing, Pure Being Is Who You Are by Elysha

January 22nd, 2009 No comments

By: Elysha
This aliveness, that is flowing through the very eyes of this mindbody that you find your self flowing through, is who “you” are; it is your self, the heart of existence, the divine one of all time, the “you” of you, the seer. It is also the one that arises as the many; the one that gives birth to and sustains all manifestation; the one that is completely beyond the beyondness of all arisings; the ineffable one that just is.

Yet this one is entering its own manifestation with greater and greater clarity, fullness and purity of itself - the puissance of itself - through the very mindbody that you find your self flowing through right now. There is no “other” - this one is who you are and you will come to realize this one as this “you” of you when you come to the place of being deeply at rest at and as this one that is flowing through the very eyes of this mindbody that you would otherwise mistake yourself to be.

Pure awareness, pure seeing, pure being is who “you” are - this purity of this isness is what frees you completely from being lost in and trying to be what this “you” is flowing through.

It is the very motion of seeing that is flowing through your eyes right now - the seer. This flow of the motion of aliveness is the actual “central point” of the divine connection of “you” to you, as you find your self here and travelling around through this mindbody that you find yourself so intimately involved in.

This impersonal and solid rocklike mass of nothingness that contains more than everything, completely independent of all arising and from which all things arise, is the one who is seeing through the eyes of this mindbody. Until you realize your self - this divine one that “you” are; the very heart of existence itself - you are going to be forever and falsely in search of it.

First, you have to actually find this “you” that is already right here - it is flowing through your eyes and it is the happening thing that is “before” all other arisings, including the arising of the mind and the mindbody that this one is flowing through.

Second, you must stop at and as this one that is this “you.

Third, you come to being deeply at rest in this “you” of you by staying “stopped” at and as this one - instead of furthering out from where “you” already are, which automatically occurs the moment you are inattentive to your self.

Fourth, you learn to move from this place of “you” while the dance of life continues to be danced through this mindbody that you find your self flowing through.

Fifth, you watch the mindbody unravel of its mind informancy while you remain in place as this “you” of you, free of everything that is going on.

Sixth, you begin to become deliriously happy in the energetic beingness of this heart of existence that is this “you” that you have begun to live on a momentary and daily basis.

Seventh, you begin to awaken to how anything that you are up to at all - in terms of finding this you of you; in terms of you recognising anything about this you of you is only more of the subtleties of the notyou-ness at play; you awaken to the immensity of this nothingness of the everythingness that is who you are.

You will not learn to do all of this over night - which is a bit of a shame really; that would have you stabilised in your freedom and your love - not the love of a mind informed mindbody which falls well short of the mark; that would have you being this love to all “others” of this same one that is this “you” of you.

However, to compensate for this incremental and step by step learning that flowers from learning to leave alone what is notyou, you have the delightfulness of the conscious journey of self discovery to travel - you have the wonderment of waking up to all of this for yourself.

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Meditation Techniques to Learn

January 21st, 2009 No comments

By: Bertil Hjert
When it comes to learning meditation, one requires to learn several important techniques in order to achieve success and obtain maximum benefits. Remember that effective meditation includes a lot of techniques.

The techniques of meditation vary from one culture to other. However, the art of meditation is one. It is universal. These techniques have been developed to suit different personalities.

You would find that certain techniques demand concentration, focus and attention. There are also other techniques that are expansive. Vipassana form of meditation is such a technique. It allows one to enjoy free flow of thoughts in conjunction with observation.

Here are some of the most common techniques used in:

a) Mantra meditation:

A mantra can be defined as a grouping of different sound vibrations that have an effect on the physical as well as mental consciousness. Traditionally, these are given to a student by a Teacher or Guru. However, in the absence of a Guru, the practitioner or the student can opt for his own mantra.

One needs to follow an important rule when selecting a mantra. According to this rule, one must choose a mantra that appeals to the mind fully when spoken verbally. When chanting mantra, powerful vibrations are created. These are said to be directed to the appropriate Chakras in order to attract certain divine forces.

This technique works towards healing the physical, spiritual and psychological body of the practitioner. One must fully enjoy the rhythm of the mantra when it is chanted. It is also necessary to surrender oneself to the whole experience.

b) Steady gaze or Trataka:

This is a simple but very beautiful technique of meditation. You need to use a regular candle for this technique. Some people prefer using other objects of their choice. You should set up the candle at an arms length. It should be placed in level with eyes.

Perform steady gazing with eyes open first. After a while, you can close your eyes and gaze at the after image of the flame. This should be gazed at the eye brow center. Do not move through out the practice. Now, relax your breath and lengthen and deepen it. Repeat the process for sometime.

c) Chakra meditation:

Charka meditation refers to a simple way for neophytes to explore the charkas via self help. This helps in providing a sense of awakening in them gently. This is done in a balanced integrated manner.

You can perform it either sitting or lying. You need to close your eyes, adjust your body and clothing. Let your breath relax, slow and then deepen. Do not make an attempt to control it. Once you are settled down, begin with Ujjayi pranayam and do this for sometime.

Bring awareness towards the spinal passage. Do it for a few minutes. Ascend with inhalation and descend with exhalation. Try to locate charkas within that channel. Dont locate the exact location. Only focus in general area. Feel the location of these charkas and repeat its name mentally as you pass by it.

You need to mentally repeat from Mooldhara to Ajna and then reverse the order. Prior to finishing, let go of breath sound and then names. Now, chant mantra Om for about three times.

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Refuse To Play The Game Of Your Mind by Elysha

January 21st, 2009 No comments

By: Elysha
Realizing this “you” of you, that is already right here and flowing through the eyes of this mindbody that you are flowing through, has nothing to do with effort. It has everything to do with the seeing and being of this “you” that you are. It has everything to with the stopping at and as this one that you truly are.

This being the “you” that you already are will have you turning away from the thoughts of your mind, rather than having you lost in these thoughts - as if you were your mind. Your mind is not your concern. It is just more of the many arisings of what is notyou notyou. Leave it alone. Let it do what it does - it does anyway - it has nothing to do with who you are.

If you fight and struggle with your mind, you invite a fight from your mind - and a fight with your mind is only going to have you being the loser. When you refuse to play the game of your mind, you will be out of it. Of course, to no longer play the game of the mind is going to demand that you give your attention to an entirely different place to this one that you automatically keep on gravitating to.

Your attention must be given over to this “you” of you that is already flowing through the eyes of this mindbody that you find your self flowing through. It is only your persistence in layering this mistaken idea that you have of yourself over the top of who you are that entraps you.

See who you are and be completely free, immediately. It is this simple. There is a motion of seeing that is flowing through your eyes right now. This aliveness is the central point of “you”; who you are; your self; your heart; the divine one. When you come to being deeply at rest at and as this very seeing, by stopping right here - by refocusing your conscious attention back to this motion of aliveness that is flowing through your eyes - you will have aligned yourself to who you truly are, the seer that is looking through your eyes.

Only in being “you” will you stand free and this must be realized on a momentary basis - moment by moment. Thus begins the most wonderful of journeys of existence itself. The journey of discovering just who “you” actually are; discovering the continuing unfolding and flowering heart of your self; discovering this “you” that is the one behind the many - the divine one; discovering how you become more real as this “you” of you and less entrapped by the energetic belief and position of trying to be what you are not and yet flowing through.

Shutting the door on who “you” are for the hope of receiving snippets of pleasure through the attempts to fulfil the desires of the mind - and the consequent entrapment in the mind as if this were you - becomes no longer a viable option.

The wonder and glory of an ever unfolding momentum of “you” as it begins to outshine what you thought you were is way too delectable to pass up on. The exquisiteness of feeling the new birth of this “you” as it emerges through the old skin of what you once thought of as being you, is way too rich to go back to the old belief of who you thought you were and the ugliness of what that delivered for you.

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