The first meditators in history were the shamans, whose practices for contemplation and connecting with the divine are echoed in virtually every spiritual tradition today.

On Shamanic Meditations, Sandra Ingerman invites you to return to the source of human spirituality–and experience for yourself the enduring power of these ancient practices for healing, guidance, and awakening. With seven guided meditations called “journeys” in the shamanic tradition–from a reno… More >>

Shamanic Meditations: Guided Journeys for Insight, Vision, and Healing

What is the purpose of a Mala? The purpose of the Mala from the point of view of the Buddhist, Hindu, Moslem or Christian traditions is for counting of of sacred mantra(prayers) during a period of recitation. For example, one might recite, “Om Mani Padme Hum,” “Hail Mary, full of Grace…”, or “Om Tare Tam Soha” and keep a count of each mantra by moving your fingers over each bead. Of course, one can use the Mala for any sacred prayer from any spiritual or religious tradition.

The Mala, rosary or prayer beads would be best seen as inseparable from God, Buddha, or the Deity. It is not jewelry, and should not be considered as such. If one treat the Mala with respect and care, and the magnetism of it will grow proportionately.

Do not lay it on the ground or floor. If you drop it on the ground, clean it off, and place it on top of your head as you say Om, Ah, Hung, OR another prayer of blessing from your native tradition.  Read more...

Pioneered by spiritual master Eknath Easwaran, passage meditation consists of memorizing an inspirational spiritual passage and then sending it deep into consciousness through slow, sustained attention.

It keeps meditation fresh and varied because readers can select the passages — from one tradition or many — that embody their chosen ideals. Many readers also enjoy the passages for their poetic and intellectual appeal. This form of meditation offers all the rich… More >>

Passage Meditation: Bringing the Deep Wisdom of the Heart into Daily Life

Experience four research-based,stress management techniques that are accepted and used by both the traditional medical and holistic communities.

You will not find any philosophies, theories or fluff presented here because frankly, we do not have time for that and chances are neither do you. Enjoy and learn four stress-management techniques; diaphragmatic breathing, affirmations, visualizations, and progressive muscular relaxation accompanied by soothing, uplifting m… More >>

Indigo Dreams: Adult Relaxation-Guided Meditation/Relaxation Techniques decrease anxiety, stress, anger

Transcendental meditation was introduced in 1955 in India. It is a form of mantra meditation where the person practicing it repeats words, syllables, sounds or groups of words. The goal is to “create transformation” in the person’s life.

Started by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, transcendental meditation is considered to be the most easily recognizable and widely practiced method of meditation. The technique can be completed in as little as 20 minutes, twice a day. During the 1960s and 1970s this method of meditation became very popular with as many as a million people learning to practice it.

Many people still practice transcendental meditation on a daily basis because they enjoy the benefits. They claim the mind and body learn to relax and rest. People practicing it also find stress and fatigue being released naturally rather than depending upon medicines to help them relax. They also say they have more energy, clarity of thought, and enjoy life more than before they began practicing it.  Read more...

There are no special tricks to meditating; no special posture or breathing rhythm is required. Once you have gotten the knack of it you can meditate anywhere during any activity.

Some readers have succeeded in reaching this altered state of conscious while reading about my sand meditation, perhaps you too may realize this transformational state of consciousness as you read on…

Sometimes meditation opens a door into the mysteries of creation. If we allow ourselves to pass through this door there is no telling what we may encounter on the other side.

Do not become discouraged if you have tried to meditate in the past and not gotten any remarkable results. Meditation is a mystical process and it may take awhile to learn how to quiet your mind and open yourself to all the present moment has to offer you.

My meditation began while sitting on a beach. My hands were sandy. I rubbed my thumb and forefinger together feeling the grains of sand between them slipping away until only a single grain of sand remained.
I could feel the shape of the grain of sand distinctly as I rolled it back and forth between my thumb and forefinger.  Read more...

Meditation does not have the same meaning for everyone. There are many factor’s that can determine exactly what meditation means for you. These include who taught you all about it, what type of person you are and which tradition you decide to base your meditation on.

It is becoming much more popular in America but many cultures consider meditation a necessary part of life. And why not? It can help you live a richer and more fulfilling life in a multitude of ways. If you decide to start meditating then you will need to decide what suits you the best.

There are many different types of meditation. Chances are you have meditated without even knowing it.

Here are some of the different types of meditation:

~ Mindfulness meditation
~ Breath meditation
~ Medical meditation
~ Sound (Mantra) meditation
~ Creative visualization
~ Visual (Mandala) meditation
~ Guided Imagery
~ Prayer
~ Movement meditation (such as QiGong or Tai Chi)
~ Classic Zen Buddhist meditation
~ New age meditation
~ Creativity meditation (or art meditation – drawing, writing, etc.)
~ Classic yoga meditation  Read more...

That ‘time of the month’ is dreaded by most women in America because it is viewed as a painful and negative experience. This just does not have to be. Other cultures have a very different view on PMS than ours does. Many of them view PMS as a positive experience. You can too by using the power of meditation. Make life easier for you and those who are close to you by trying this meditative exercise.

1. First lay down on the floor flat on your back. Take two small pillows and put one at the small of your back and the other underneath your knees. Lace your fingers tight and place your hands on your lower stomach. Take three deep breaths.  Read more...

What is meditation?

The basic idea generally associated with why people meditate is that during our day we are constantly subjected to sensory input and our minds are always active in the process of thinking. We read the newspaper, study books, write reports, engage in conversation, solve problems, etc etc. Typically, as we do these normal activities we engage in a constant mental commentary, sort of an inner “The Drama of Me.” Usually people aren’t fully aware of all the mental thought activity that we are constantly engaged in.

Meditation allows all this activity to settle down, and often results in the mind becoming more peaceful, calm and focused. In essence, meditation allows the awareness to become ‘rejuvenated’.

Meditation can be considered a technique, or practice. It usually involves concentrating on an object, such as a flower, a candle, a sound or word, or the breath. Over time, the number of random thoughts occuring diminishes. More importantly, your attachment to these thoughts, and your identification with them, progressively become less. The meditator may get caught up in a thought pattern, but once he/she becomes aware of this, attention is gently brought back to the object of concentration. Meditation can also be objectless, for example consisting of just sitting.  Read more...

OM or AUM is the most important and significant word of Mantra tradition. It is considered as the root mantra of all mantra. In a majority of Mantra, you will find OM.

OM is the most often chanted sound among all the sacred sounds on earth. This sound is considered as the sound of the existence.

It is believed that the whole universe, in its fundamental form, is made up of vibrating, pulsating energy. Om is considered as the humming sound of this cosmic energy.

OM is said to be the original primordial creative sound from which the entire universe have manifested. It is also known as the ‘Anahat Nada’, the “Unstruck Sound”. This means the sound that is not made by two things striking together.

If you observe the nature of sound you’ll find that all ordinary audible sound are produced by the striking of two objects : bow and strings, drum and stick, two vocal cords, waves against the shore, winds against the leaves, bat against the ball, tires against the road etc. In short all sounds within our range of listening are produces by things visible or invisible, striking each other or vibrating together, resulting in pulsating waves of air molecules which we interprets as sound.  Read more...