Meditation

What is meditation?

Meditation today includes various techniques for calming, relaxing, restoring vital energy (chi, chi, prana...), balancing the spirit and mind, and developing compassion, love, and mindfulness.

Meditating does not mean that we become a different person, a new person or even a better person.

It is a practice of raising awareness and gaining an objective perspective on oneself and the world. In meditation, we learn to observe thoughts or feelings without judgment. We want to better listen to our inner voice and intuition, with the aim of better exploring and understanding ourselves.

Full article: What is Meditation - Can we think during meditation?

Meditation brings many health (psychological, neurological and cardiovascular) and other effects. It has a positive effect on reducing stress, anxiety, depression and pain and brings more peace, alertness, improves self-image and well-being.

Types of meditation

In the Western world, techniques are divided into 2 types, namely:

• focused meditation – directing attention to a chosen object, breathing, visualization or words, mantras, use of mala necklace ;
• mindfulness meditation – observing the 'journey' of thoughts, feelings, emotions, mood... from the point of view of an external observer, without the active involvement of the mind.

How and where do we practice meditation?

We could say that meditation can be practiced anytime and anywhere, regardless of the situation, position, environment.

The purpose of meditation is to use the peace and awareness that we want to achieve through the practice of meditation. we transfer it to everyday challenges.

Practice should not serve as an 'escape' from life, but should be a part of life. Let's start gradually, with small steps. If we are a beginner, it makes sense to start in a group, with guided meditation, as it will help us to cultivate perseverance.

The space where we meditate should be pleasant, comfortable, and peaceful. You can create a Zen corner in your home, it can be a corner in nature, a studio,...wherever you feel safe and relaxed.

Static or dynamic meditation?

We can choose between a static or dynamic form of meditation. In static forms of meditation, our body is at rest, it is mostly performed in a sitting position on the floor with the help of meditation aids for sitting ( zafu, bolster, square< /a>), on a chair or in a lying position - e.g. on yoga mats.

During the static form of meditation, make sure we are in comfortable and warm clothes and covered with a blanket .

Dynamic form of meditation involves gentle, soft movement of the body - e.g. meditative walking, qigong, incorporating asanas, more advanced breathing techniques.

Meditation

What is Meditation

Can we think during meditation?

Why so many variants?Guide

How to choose a bolster?

Round, rectangular?