Meditation is most commonly associated with monks, mystics and other spiritual disciplines. However, you don't have to be a monk or mystic to enjoy its benefits.



You don't even have to be in a special place to practice it. You could try it in your own living room!

Although there are many different approaches to meditation, the fundamental principles remain the same. The most important among these principles is that of removing obstructive, negative, and wandering thoughts and fantasies, and calming the mind with a deep sense of focus. This clears the mind of debris and prepares it for a higher quality of activity.

The negative thoughts you have - those of noisy neighbors, bossy officemates, that parking ticket you got, and unwanted spam - are all contributing to the "polluting" of the mind. Shutting them out allows for the "cleansing" of the mind so that it may focus on deeper, more meaningful thoughts.

Some practitioners even shut out all sensory input - no sight, no sound, and nothing to touch. They try to detach themselves from all of the commotion around them.

Once you achieve this, you may now focus on deep, profound thought, if this is your goal. It may seem deafening at first, since we are all too accustomed to constantly hearing and seeing things, but as you continue this exercise you will find your awareness of everything around you increasing dramatically.

If you find the meditating positions you see on television threatening; you know ... the ones with impossibly arched backs, and painful-looking contortions ... you don't need to worry.

The principle here is to be in a comfortable position conducive to concentration. This may be while sitting cross-legged, standing, lying down, or even walking.

If a position allows you to relax and focus, then use that position as a starting point. While sitting or standing, the back should be straight, but not tense or tight. In other positions, the only no-no is slouching and falling asleep.

Loose, comfortable clothes help a lot in the process since tight fitting clothes have a tendency to choke you up and make you feel tense and restrained. The idea is to let go, not to restrain yourself!

The place you perform meditation should have a soothing atmosphere. It may be in your living room, bedroom, or any place where you feel comfortable.

You will probably want to use an exercise mat if you plan to take on the more challenging positions (if you feel more focused doing so, and if the contortionist in you is screaming for release). You will want to have the area arranged so that it is soothing to your senses.

Silence helps most people relax and meditate, so you will need to search for and find a quiet, isolated area far from the ringing of the phone or the humming of the washing machine.

Pleasing scents also help in that regard, so using on aromatic candles isn't such a bad idea either. They aren't very good for your health due to the chemicals they emit into your breathing space, but they are relaxing.

Some people use incense in place of candles, again, not very good for your health but relaxing just the same.

The monks you see on television making those monotonous sounds are actually performing their mantra. This, in simple terms, is a short creed, a simple sound which, for these practitioners, holds a mystic value.

You do not need to perform these things; however, it's worthy to note that focusing on repeated actions such as breathing, or humming help the practitioner enter a higher state of consciousness.

The principle here is focus. You could also try focusing on a certain object or thought, or even, while keeping your eyes open, focus on a single sight.

One sample routine would be to, while in a meditative state, silently name every part of your body and focus your thoughts on that part.

While doing this you should be aware of any tension on any part of your body. Mentally visualize releasing this tension. It works wonders.

All in all, meditation is a relatively risk-free practice and its benefits are well worth the effort, or non-effort; remember we're meditating in order to help us relax.

Studies have shown that meditation does bring about beneficial physiologic effects to the body. And there has been a growing consensus in the medical community to further study the effects of these practices. So in the near future, who knows, that mystical, esoteric thing we call meditation might become a science itself!