Meditation 101

Renee Singh

Meditation has the capacity to affect the body in exactly the opposite way as stress. This makes meditation one of the most effective tools that can be used to restore the body and mind to a calm state. It helps the body to repair itself and prevents the body from new damage due to the physical effects of stress. It is widely recommended as a healthy way to manage stress. Meditation enhances immunity when practiced regularly and in the correct manner. In continuation to previous week’s article, here are few forms of meditation that one can try and follow.

Basic meditation

This involves a simple method of concentrated focus while sitting alone in our personal space for a few minutes.

Breathing meditation

A great way of quick relaxation. We take a few deep breaths and concentrate for a few minutes. We keep our attention constantly focused on our breath.

Guided visualisation

This is a great way as we go through a series of guided visualisation. A very relaxing technique indeed.

Mantra meditation

Here you can use a word to create a vibration. Repetition of the mantra creates a high vibration and takes us to a level of meditation.

Music meditation

Music deepens the experience of concentration. You can meditate better with it.

Walking meditation

This is most relaxing as it combines mild exercise with meditation so it keeps the mind-body connect in balance.

Aromatherapy meditation

This is truly a fabulous meditation as it keeps us calm and the senses soothed with various perfumes.

Chocolate meditation

This is a great way to meditate as it involves a lot of senses. The taste buds also help in keeping us happy and in a state of balance with the mind.

Mindful exercises

These meditations can be done anywhere and incorporated into virtually any activity. Mindful meditation involves mindful awareness of present moment.

While there are many different meditation techniques available there is a common thread that runs through all of them. It is fairly easy to meditate once you have decided to do so and although the basic techniques do remain the same you can mould them into your own personal way.

Each one of us resonates with our own inner self. So we each have our own meditation quotient. One can pick up a practice that one feels most comfortable in. Remember, being true to oneself gives the best results.

(Singh is a

Chandigarh-based psychotherapist)