Sharpen Your Mind With Meditation

Copyright © Gooi Mong Ling

Meditation is a discipline in which the mind is focused on an object of thought and awareness. It usually involves turning attention to a single point of reference. The word meditation comes from the Latin meditatio, which originally indicated every type of physical or intellectual exercise, then later evolved into the more specific meaning “contemplation” (Source: Wikipedia).

A lot of people tend to associate meditation with religion and/or monks. Meditation is actually something that everyone can learn and practise in their daily life, just like an exercise routine. It doesn’t have to be associated with religion. I have friends who used to associate meditation with Buddhism and thus were reluctant to learn about it because they thought that it will be in conflict with their religion. However, after knowing more about it they realise that meditation is actually a practise to train your mind to be more aware of what you are thinking. When we do physical exercise such as jogging, swimming and etc. we want our body to be healthy. When we do meditation, it is a form of exercise for our mind so that we can have a healthy mind that is calm, sharp and alert. A clear and focused mind is what all of us need to carry out our daily tasks efficiently and effectively.

Meditation also helps us understand our mind. We can learn how to change our mind from negative to positive, from unhappy to happy or from disturbed to peaceful. A lot of the stress we experience these days also comes from our mind. When we master meditation, we’ll be able to change our mind and be free from worries so that we can lead a more happy life.

As a beginner, one may be overwhelmed by all the information and misinformation out there regarding meditation. The important thing is to keep it simple and take action to start meditating! All you need is to set aside some time everyday to practise it. It can be as short as 10-15 mins or as long as 1 hour, depending on the time you have.

Find a place that is quiet because as a beginner, we will get distracted very easily if we are in a noisy place. Sit in a comfortable position. It can be with your legs crossed or any other position that you feel comfortable. You can also sit on the chair if you like. Just make sure your back is straight to prevent your mind from becoming sluggish and sleepy.

Gently close your eyes and turn your attention to your breathing. Breathe naturally through your nose. As you breathe in and out, notice that your stomach will go up and down as you inhale and exhale. Focus your attention on the upward and downward movement of your stomach as you breathe in and out. This is the point of your focus throughout, when you meditate.

Do pay full attention in noting the movement of your stomach so that you will not start thinking about other things. It is very common that your mind starts wandering off or thoughts start popping up in your mind after a short while. When this happens and you notice it, just return to your point of focus and start concentrating on the stomach movement again. Repeat this every time your mind wanders off. At first, you might feel that meditation makes your mind even busier because of those endless thoughts. But in reality, you are just becoming more aware of how busy your mind actually is. Those are in fact the countless thoughts that enter your mind everyday! Through practise, you will improve and notice that your mind wanders off less and you are able to focus more.

Keep an open mind about meditation and allow yourself time to feel the benefit of it. Try it out a few times and give it your full attention. Don’t give up after 1 or 2 tries. Meditation is also a personal thing, as such your experience is likely to be different from other people’s experience.

So what are you waiting for? Learn how to meditate and discover the magic of it.

About the Author:
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Mong Ling has experienced the power of personal development which has transformed her life, so now she is eager to share her experience with others so that everyone can live a more fulfilled life. For more information please visit PersonalDevelopment4All.com
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