| Although meditation has been practiced for ages, it | | | | freeing your mind of all concerns. |
| has only recently become popular in the Western | | | | Besides being used by holistic healers, some |
| world as more people become aware of the | | | | meditation techniques also help people ease anxiety |
| benefits, not only in achieving a more peaceful and | | | | and depression, and are nowadays employed by |
| less stressful life but also in maintaining a healthy | | | | physicians in large hospitals to aid in the healing |
| physical body. It has become part of my daily routine | | | | process of their patients. Meditation also benefits |
| just like exercising and eating healthy, and I have | | | | students and athletes in improving their performance. |
| experience the benefits of it over the years. So | | | | You don't have to belong to a certain religion to |
| when someone ask me what my secret is to living a | | | | benefit from meditation. Nor do you have to sit |
| joyful and healthy life, I always mention meditation as | | | | barefoot in a lotus or half lotus position (although |
| one of the ingredients. | | | | that's what I do) as not everyone is capable of doing |
| A few weeks ago one of my cousins came to visit | | | | that. All you need to do is be in a quiet place free |
| and asked me the same question. She works 60 | | | | from distractions for about 15 minutes during the day |
| hours a week for a big company in New York and | | | | where you can relax and free your mind. So you can |
| lives in a highrise condominium. Although she makes a | | | | be in your office and still experience the benefits of |
| very good living, she told me she wasn't happy. She | | | | meditation. There is also walking meditation that helps |
| was a nervous wreck; her life was hectic and | | | | you relax your body and mind while you walk slowly |
| stressful and she was having some of the most | | | | and concentrate on your breath and the movements |
| common health issues associated with her lifestyle | | | | of your feet. |
| like high blood pressure and cholesterol, and borderline | | | | While many people go to great lengths to try to find |
| obesity. | | | | their life's purpose, mine is really simple: to be happy |
| My cousin was actually jealous to see me live a very | | | | and have fun each and every day. Meditation is one |
| peaceful and joyful life in a small town in the South | | | | of the great tools that help me do so. By enjoying |
| while maintaining a healthy body which is also in great | | | | my own life I also help others enjoy theirs. Even |
| shape. She also admired the aura of self confidence | | | | though I don't make nearly as much money as my |
| that I always presented. She admitted that even her | | | | cousin, I can say (without boasting) that I enjoy my |
| doctor had told her to learn how to relax. So I said | | | | life more. |
| to her, "that's your answer." I also went on to tell her | | | | The good news is, the last time I talked to her, she |
| about the benefits of meditation and that she should | | | | told me she had joined a meditation class and started |
| incorporate the ancient practice into her daily routine. | | | | to reap some of the benefits. She was calmer and |
| There are various meditation techniques from the | | | | happier, and her blood pressure had improved. So if |
| very basic to elaborate ones involving different | | | | you're in a situation similar to hers, you may want to |
| postures, visualization, guided imagery, and mantra. | | | | give meditation a try and watch it work magic in |
| However, they all serve a common purpose which is | | | | your life. |
| to focus your awareness to the present moment, | | | | |