Meditation for All Ages: From Mantras to the Rosary to Shamanic Journeys, Find the Right Meditation Style for You

By Sharon J. Friend Reverend C.S.H.P.

Have you ever wanted to find out how to meditate but were overwhelmed by so many books from which to choose? Meditation for All Ages describes a variety of meditation techniques with examples of each all in one book! Theres no need to be bogged down in esoteric content. Meditation for All Ages is a guide for everyone in simple and easy language. It provides tools to deepen concentration, reduce stress, transform anger to love, be fully present in the moment through mindfulness, expand intuition, increase creativity, discover your purpose in life, become in tune with your spirit guides and angels, and deepen spirituality.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: May 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9781504378352

Sharon J. Friend Reverend C.S.H.P.

Rev. Sharon J. Friend has studied, practiced, and taught meditation for over thirty years. She is a Certified Spiritual Healing Practitioner, Reiki Master/Teacher, Crystal Healer, Spiritual Counselor, and became an Ordained Minister in 2013. For years Rev. Sharon has taught multiple meditation techniques covered in her book. Rev. Sharon lives in Escondido, California with her husband Jeff of 31 years and her two cats, Munchkin and Pywacket. She has two daughters, six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren!

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Copyright © 2017 Sharon J. Friend, Reverend, C.S.H.P.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-5043-7834-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5043-7835-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017905537

Balboa Press rev. date: 05/09/2017

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Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 What Is Meditation?

Chapter 2 Levels Of Consciousness

Consciousness

Subconsciousness

Superconsciousness

Chapter 3 Beginning Your Meditation

Chapter 4 Centering Prayer

An Example Of Centering Prayer

Chapter 5 Teaching Children And Young People To Meditate

Chapter 6 Types Of Active Meditation

Chapter 7 Guided Meditation

Guided Meditation 1

Guided Meditation 2

Chapter 8 Chakras And Chakra Meditation

Chakra Guided Meditation

Chapter 9 Chanting

Rosary

Prayers Of The Rosary

Mudra/Mantra

Universal Energy Mudra/Mantra

Connecting To Inner Being Mudra/Mantra

Wheel Of Life Mudra/Mantra

Guidance Mudra/Mantra

Transcendental Meditation (Tm)

Chapter 10 Zen, Mindfulness, And Mindful Breathing

Description Of Zen

Description Of Mindfulness

Mindful Breathing

Chapter 11 Native American Journey/Shamanic Journey

Sacred Opening Prayer

Power Animal Journey 1

Power Animal Journey 2

Chapter 12 Visualization, Manifestation, And Deeper Understanding

Visualization And Manifestation

Achieving Deeper Understanding

Chapter 13 Other Items That Can Aid In Meditation

Sounds

Aromatherapy

Essential Oil Chart

Color

Crystals/Gemstones

Tarot And Oracle Cards

Chapter 14 Universal Law

Bibliography

I dedicate this book to my husband and best friend, Jeff, for his never-ending love, support, and patience, and for putting up with me while I spent so much time writing, and for fending for himself when it came to meals. Thanks for everything you do. I will love you always.

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience.We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

Preface

After spending many years studying, researching, and meditating, it was finally time for me to write on what I am most passionate about and share it with others. When I began meditating, little did I think that it would lead me to write about my experiences with different forms of meditation. I came to realize that meditation is a personalized activity; not everyone feels comfortable sitting in total silence in a lotus position. I also found that meditation is for people of all ages, from young children to seniors. Everyone can benefit, even if it is just ten minutes a day. Movies have portrayed people meditating as being strange, but then there are movies like Eat, Pray, Love that show the work and dedication that goes into meditating and its value and benefits. Knowing and loving yourself is essential before you can understand and truly experience love.

Writing a book has not been an easy process for me, since I had never written before. Even though I have some physical limitations, I finally got the message from Spirit that there is nothing wrong with my mind. Since I know how to type, I can share my knowledge by writing a book. My family has also been very helpful by allowing me to include them throughout the book for better clarification of a particular point. The family members mentioned in my book are my husband Jeff, my oldest daughter Christine, her daughter Sarah, my youngest daughter Patricia, her daughter Bella and her son Jonathan.

Understanding the benefits and importance of meditation led me to include information about consciousness as it relates to meditation, universal energy, and the chakra system. I give several examples of meditation styles including centering prayer, guided meditation, chanting, transcendental meditation, and a Native American shamanic journey. I also include a chapter on sound, crystals, aromatherapy, color, and using oracle and Tarot cards with meditation. My final chapter is on universal law, as I feel it is important to know a few of the many hundred laws that govern our universe which help us live a more fulfilling, happy, and harmonious life. I hope you enjoy yourself as you delve into the world of meditation.

I selected the lotus blossom for the front cover and throughout my book because it represents the beauty that can survive and thrive despite its difficult beginning. We are all beautiful within and can grow to become brilliant human beings. Spiritually, it symbolizes life, purity, beauty, clarity, victory, promise, passion, strength and ascension.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my family for always being there for me, especially my husband, Jeff. Thanks to my wonderful daughters, Christine and Patricia, and to all of my wonderful grandchildren. Special thanks go to my grandson Jonathan, for his meditation picture, and to my granddaughter Bella, for posing in the Mudra positions (she is always patient and willing to help me out). I would also like to thank my granddaughter Sarah, for always being so supportive and cheerful, for posing for me, and for not falling off the cliff when she fell asleep while meditating in Sedona. Thanks to my sister Bev, for loving me, for always being supportive, and for being there any time I needed advice. I can always talk to her about anything.

In addition, I would like to thank my long-time friend Debbie Johnson, for always being someone my family can count on. I would also like to thank my dear friend Rev. Stuart Hesketh, for his editing help and for suggesting additional items to discuss as well as his wonderful support and friendship. I also would like to thank everyone at Balboa Press for their help in editing and design of my book so it would finally get published. Thank you. Love and light to you all.

CHAPTER 1

What Is Meditation?

We can describe meditation as the practice of quieting the mind of random thoughts or concentrating on one thing to aid in relaxation, mental or spiritual development, or contemplation. Meditation has been practiced in one form or another for centuries by many different religions and belief systems. Belief in God (religious practice) is not necessary for the practice of meditation. You can meditate and clear your mind for the purpose of relaxation, to seek clarity, or to contemplate a complex subject. Since meditation takes time to develop, you can say you are training the mind to reach a certain level of consciousness.

Meditation is also characterized by experiencing an altered state of consciousness. What does that mean? Does it sound a little scary? Not to worry. When we speak of an altered state of consciousness, we mean that we are moving from a mind that is thinking all the time to a mind that is calmer, without ruminating thoughts. Your mind is in a constant