10 Tips To A Better Meditation

By Cathy Egner

It has been my experience that most people who begin a meditation technique quit in the first month. Yes, it’s a challenge to stick to something new, even if we know it’s good for us; even if we experience results! But beyond that, most of these new students get little or no follow-up and receive no additional knowledge on which to build a meditation practice.
There are fundamentals and mechanics common to all forms of meditation techniques relating to stress release, the process of transcending and the meaning of subjective experiences in meditation. There are additional activities such as Breath-Work or Pranayama, Yoga & Stretching that can be added to anyone’s practice for increased benefits both in and out of meditation.

This booklet provides valuable tips and specific techniques for the new and seasoned meditator alike and should be especially helpful to those who have become discouraged with their daily practice. This knowledge will enable one to experience a deeper, richer meditation and to gain a greater understanding of the journey toward ununbounded consciousness; the path leading back to our True Self.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cathy Egner
• Release date: Oct 22, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310257148

Book preview

10 Tips To A Better Meditation

By Cathy Egner

Copyright 2013 Cathy Egner

Smashwords Edition

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

Thank you for downloading this ebook; it is licensed for your personal enjoyment. This book may be reproduced, copied and distributed for non-commercial purposes, provided the book remains in its complete original form.

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Table of Contents

Introduction - Why 10 Tips

The Ten Tips

Tip # 1 Transition

Tip # 2 Yoga or Stretching

Tip # 3 Pranayama

Tip # 4 Create A Space

Tip # 5 Outer Distractions

Tip # 6 Begin Meditation

Tip # 7 Stress Release: The Physiology

Tip # 8 Stress Release: The Mind

Tip # 9 Evaluating Your Meditation

Tip # 10 Find Ways To Stay Motivated

Final Thoughts

About The Author

Introduction

Why 10 Tips

I was in line at the grocery store the other day, and there was a fireman behind me – he was probably in his early 40s and I shared with him that I was teaching a class on meditation. Oh, I surf to relax, he replied.

What Factors Shape Our Concepts Of Meditation

It wasn’t until that moment that I realized how mainstream the word Meditation has become yet each of us having very different definitions of the word. To some, as to the fireman, the word meditation was synonymous with any other way to relax and unwind, say after a hard day on the job; healthier than – but not much different from -sharing a few beers with friends after work.

And I became very curious about this - what were the factors involved in shaping our concepts about meditation? Unlike the ancient cultures of India, meditation is a relatively new concept for us. Probably Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Founder of the Transcendental Meditation Program, will be credited as most influential in bringing meditation to the western world, and why we value it most for its health benefits.

Mahesh Prasad Varma, later to become Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, was a college graduate from India majoring in Physics and Mathematics. After his graduation, he became a disciple of Swami Brahmananda Saraswati (Guru Dev) and remained under the training of Guru Dev until his death in 1954.

First Research On A Meditation Technique

Whether it was due to his scientific background or his intuition that westerners would more easily relate to meditation in terms of benefits relative to an active and modern lifestyle, when Maharishi first reached the United States in 1959, he was quick to solicit the scientific community to begin extensive research on the TM Technique and its benefits on the mind/body physiology. The results were impressive;

For those suffering from PTSD, depression and acute anxiety disorders, studies showed increases in brainwave coherence, serotonin and endorphin levels, and alpha wave activity from meditation supporting meditation as an adjunct therapy option. Research pointed to meditation strengthening the immune system, normalizing blood pressure and heart rate levels. In short, research has proven meditation to be a highly effective tool in stress management for a myriad