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Home
Holistic Healing
Inner Peace Development
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Table of Contents
List of Modalities/Techniques
Note: Other meditation styles will be added over
time.
IntroductionMeditation is a mental
practice in which the mind is directed to one area or one point of operation.
There are many forms of meditation (Native American, Tibetan, Buddhist, Yogic,
etc.) and the techniques used can vary considerably. While some people practice
meditation in conjunction with spiritual practices, it is often practiced in
Western countries because of its potential for profoundly positive effects on
one's physical and psychological well-being.
Because 1) meditation
techniques are relatively easy to learn and not some esoteric, New Age practice
(requiring a "guru"), and 2) can provide significant positive benefits, it is
very quickly growing in popularity in Western countries. Practitioners of
meditation include the rich and poor, actors/actresses, athletes, business
persons, scientists, physicians and other medical practitioners, etc.
Benefits"Meditation helps to bring
harmony and inner peace. It makes a person feel centered, grounded, and stable.
Through meditation we can go into the center of awareness and stay there. It is
like being back in the womb of the mother. Meditation not only brings balance to
the body, mind, and consciousness, it helps to balance the three doshas
[Ayurvedic Medicine term]. Meditation is the single greatest healing factor
within the Ayurvedic system of medicine. We say 'Our medication is meditation.'"
[Excerpt from Sounds True interview
with Ayurvedic Medicine expert, Dr. Vasant Lad. Ayurvedic Medicine is one of the
world's oldest systems of Holistic Medicine.]
Scientific research has
shown that meditation practice, by itself is helpful in treating
Chronic Pain, and other physical and psychological diseases/disorders.
A
selection of the general benefits include (but are not limited to):
- Deep Inner Peace
- Improved Self-Esteem, Self-Control, and Orderliness
- Improved Sleep
- Increased Creativity
- Physical Health/Healing
- Psychological Health/Healing
- Reduced Medical Care
- Slowing or Reversal of Aging
For almost all chronic diseases
(cancer, arthritis, lupus, FMS, CFS, heart disease, intestinal or digestive
disease, allergies, etc.), meditation can be a very important part of a Holistic
Healing program. While meditation practice can lead to improved physical and
mental health and some positive effects are often noticed after a short time,
more profound changes may take a longer period of time. Persons looking for
sudden, magical changes may be disappointed.
For those practicing other
powerful transformational techniques such as Integrated Awareness or Breathwork,
meditation practice can often provide added benefit. Of course, meditation is
not necessarily the best Inner
Healing & Transformational technique for everyone to start with. Some
people fare better with body-oriented or breath-directed
techniques when starting out.
General TipsIt is preferable to start
learning meditation by going to a class at a meditation center or in classes
given at community or health centers. Regular class attendance can help your
develop a regular practice. In addition, the teacher can answer many practical
questions that you may have. If you do not have a class in your area, the Meditation Books and
Tape Sets may prove very helpful.
Please peruse through the resources
below, including the links to directories of meditation centers (for classes).
Looking at the details of each of the each of the meditation techniques linked
at the List of
Techniques can provide additional information and resources.
Resources
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