Meditation: Time to Stop & Listen
|
|
As a co-active coach, one of the underlying principles that I subscribe to is that everyone has their own answers within. Most of what I do as a coach is to give people the time, space and permission to find these answers (and sometimes I provide a question or two to get things going).
So, outside of a coaching session, how can we learn to access these answers that we all have? One thing that I'm learning is that the answers can't come to me if my head is always busy figuring things out, working, talking, or reading. If I'm doing those things, I'm actually blocking myself from hearing my own wise answers.
One sure way to get an answer to a question is to ask the question and listen for an answer. We're all quite well-versed at this practice, "Have you seen my briefcase?", "What would you like to do for dinner tonight?", "When is that report due?".
And what I've noticed for myself is that I forget this logic when it comes to listening for my own answers. Rarely do I sit quietly and listen. Rarer still do I actually intentionally *ask* myself a question.
I'm working at increasing my practice of asking and listening for answers from within. Since I'm still a beginner, I thought I'd ask someone with more experience to speak further on this topic with us.
Karen Kofman, who co-led a workshop on "Gratitude" with me in November 2003, has a background in corporate training. She currently gives workshops of a spiritual nature involving inner serenity. Karen practices reiki, aromaptherapy, yoga and meditation.
Linda: What is your definition of meditation?
Karen: Meditation is a process to empty and calm the mind, which results in a sense of peace, serenity and calmness and eventually opening yourself to new insights and a sense of overall well-being.
Linda: How has your life changed since you've been practicing meditation regularly?
Karen: Meditation has come into my life very slowly, when I first started I didn't notice much change, but over time, there have been major spiritual and emotional awakenings. I am more settled, less anxious, have more energy and am less judgmental of those around me.
Linda: What's the best way for someone to start meditating?
Karen: The first thing I want to make clear is that meditation is not complicated, doesn't take a lot of time, and can be done by anyone. Most of us have dabbled in meditation by participating in conscious relaxation, perhaps during an exercise class or sport activity.
Here is a meditation exercise you can try for yourself.
Start by paying attention to your breathing. The practical effect of focusing completely on your breathing leads to a sense of calmness, as it takes your mind away from the "clutter" that constantly tries to invade.
Take a few deep breaths to relax your body and mind. Begin to breath again and with each exhalation feel your body relax into a peaceful state. Let go of thoughts, worries. Feel the presence of stillness within you. Feel a softness around your heart.
If thoughts emerge, acknowledge them and go back to your breath. Continue this process for 3-10 minutes to begin and you may increase the time as you feel necessary.
With repeated efforts, the goal of clearing your mind to think of nothing will come more easily. You will have the ability to be clear and open and to welcome spaces for fresh and clean thoughts to emerge. The process of meditation will begin to take on its own energies.
Thanks so much to Karen Kofman for sharing her wisdom with us this month! It's certainly inspired me to "stop and listen" more often.
(c) Copyright 2005, Genuine Coaching Services.
Linda Dessau, the Self-Care Coach, is the author of "The Everyday Self-Care Workbook". To receive one of her free monthly newsletters, subscribe at http://www.genuinecoaching.com/newsletter.html
MORE RESOURCES:
Book on meditation techniques released IBNLive.com BANGALORE: Governor Hans Raj Bhardwaj on Wednesday released a book on meditation written by Shri Nimishananda titled 'Between You and Me Meditation Made Simple' at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. “Meditation is a way to control your mind. K'taka guv's prescription for a sexually excited mind? Meditation |
Events at UMF celebrate legacy of its president Kennebec Journal Snow date is Friday from 7:30 to 9 pm Friday, Meditation made possible, from noon to 1 pm in the landing at the UMF Olsen Student Center, South Street, Farmington. Bhavani uses a unique process to help people experience the meditative state. |
 LAist | Pencil This In: Taboo Tales, Art Meditation, Greg Barris Comedy & Film ... LAist It's a night of film, funnies, meditation and music, ranging from taboo storytelling to organic country tunes. The deets are below. Film Independent's 11th annual Directors Close-Up series kicks off tonight at The Landmark in West LA with director Jeff ... |
 Mother Nature Network | Meditate to get a date Mother Nature Network Or, turn on “MediDating: Meditations for Fearless Romance,” a new collection of meditations from Gabrielle Bernstein, best-selling author and spiritual guru to Manhattan's young and restless. MediDating is a series of love meditations to help you ... |
Meditation: It's not what you think Sierra Sun I told my mind to be quiet as I must to do at least 500 times every time I sit to meditate. When I heard Noah Levine begin last year's talk by being silent and looking around the room thoughtfully at his audience, greeting us and then grounding us ... |
Meditation Through a Sea of Reeds Chabad.org Meditate deeply upon the inner soul of the world, struggle to see the vision described by our teachers. You will part the murky waters of a coarse, material world and take the reality that lies beneath it as your path from bondage. |
Meditation day course Feb. 18 in Vauxhall will focus on love New Jersey Hills Learning to Love, a special meditation day course with resident teacher Peter Kurczynski, will be held 10 am to 3:30 pm Saturday, Feb. 18 at Dharmachakra Buddhist Center, 2933 Vauxhall Road, Vauxhall. “Loving others is the path to inner peace,” ... |
 Care2.com | Let Me Breathe (A One-Minute Meditation) Care2.com Perhaps it is a prayer or wish or meditation. I don't know. Anyway, these words came through me last fall and when I found them, I felt compelled to post them here. I'm sharing my plea for freedom with the hope that it will reach everyone who has ... |
Meditation on Thursday and Some Future Possibilities Wilkes University The campus meditation group will meet for its weekly session on Thursday from 5:30 pm to 6:15 pm in Kirby 107. We will practice both sitting meditation and walking meditation. Our sessions are open to all interested individuals. If you are new, ... |
Carl Sandburg College hosting meditation workshop Galesburg Register-Mail By Sara Glafcke Four basic principles of mediation and practice of its two methods will be taught in one of Carl Sandburg College's upcoming community education classes. Registered Nurse Sallee Wade will teach the class, which is scheduled for 2-5 pm ... |
Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe, With Which Meditation Should I Go?
There are many different styles of meditation, so which one is right for you?You can choose from:1. A writing meditation - using either the dominant or non-dominant hand2.
Establishing A Daily Meditation Practice
It's important to establish a daily practice and then stick to it. This doesn't mean dedicating 12 hours a day to meditation, it just means creating a space in your home where you can take a few minutes and meditate and do the exercises.
Active Meditation / Visualization
Part OneChoose a nature scene. For instance scenery of mountain, meadow or ocean to picture and imagine during your session.
Yoga Meditation For Pain Relief
The purpose of this article is to provide information on methods and techniques on how to cope with pain, or in some instances, possibly even overcoming pain with the use of techniques derived from Yoga meditation.Chronic pain sufferers spend millions of dollars to find ways of relieving their pain.
Understanding Meditation
It is impossible to overstate the importance of daily meditation. The benefits are enormous.
Active Meditation For Surges In Energy Levels!
When I first started learning about deep breathing exercises and meditation I had this pre-conceived notion of sitting very still for long periods of time, my body like a statue, my breathing hardly discernable to an onlooker.Little did I know that this was not the only way to achieve a meditative experience.
Meditate with Mindful Breathing
Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile.
Objective Meditations: What is Reality?
Is reality a projection from within the mind, or is it an "altered lens" into the outside world? Let's look at the altered lens theory first. Obviously, we are not all looking at the world with the same lens or viewpoint.
The Art Of Meditation: How Easy Is It?
Meditation is a form of relaxing and a method to spiritual enlightenment that has been around for centuries. Yet with all the different types of meditation as well as the varied methods, how do you know you are truly meditating? Which one is right for you?We are often told that to meditate is to think of nothing and clear your mind, which to me is impossible.
The Brain Scrub for Druids
The Brain Scrub is designed to help you overcome the "monkey mind" which leaps and bounces around from subject to subject in an uncontrolled manner. After mastering this exercise you'll be able to instantly clear and calm your mind in any situation, allowing you to focus completely on any subject.
Basic Meditation Exercises
(Authors Note: Before reading this you should see my other articles on Breathing and Full Body Awareness)Now that you've begun to develop the ability to move energy around in your body there are some things that you can do with it. The following exercises range from pretty simple to pretty complicated, but as you develop your abilities you'll eventually find that you can do them all at once and effortlessly.
Meditation Is A Dinner Party
Try Not To Force Things Too MuchOften, when meditating, we try too hard to force a certain state of mind that we think we should have. We try hard to suppress thoughts, for example.
Fitness Workout - Exercising the Present Moment!
The following exercise program has been designed to get the mind firmly in the present, not yesterday or tomorrow but right here, right now. It's a particularly great exercise to become familiar with because it helps during times when you need to totally concentrate on an important task.
Stress: Guilty As Charged
How To Defend YourselfDo you ever find yourself feeling overwhelmed? Do you sometimes feel like you just have too much to think about? Does it make you tired, irritable, or even depressed? What can you do about it?People rarely go to the doctor to say "I think I have stress," and yet the National Institutes of Health say that 80% of illnesses are caused by stress, directly or indirectly. Hormones, such as adrenalin, are released into your blood when you're stressed.
A Hypnosis Cd - Getting the Most from Them
You should treat the use of a hypnosis cd just like you use a tool. In other words, any tool has the potential to do a great job as long as it is used for its intended purpose.
Body Talk
ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzHow many times have you zoned out in front of the television, only to discover an empty bag/bottle/carton of _______ (substitute your current no-no food) sitting in front of you and you have NO MEMORY of having consumed it, let alone enjoying it?Come on, we've all done it.It's OK - well, actually, it's not OK, but we'll talk about that in a minute.
Meditation
Hello, sample some of the arguments below. But mind you, this is not an opinionated writer that is trying to forward his profound knowledge on an altruistic art that is meditation.
Meditation: A Path To Inner Peace
Throughout history, meditation has been an integral part of many cultures. Records indicate that meditation was practiced in ancient Greece and India more than 5,000 years ago.
What Does Meditation Music Do To You?
Personally I belief that it is possible for anyone to live a life of happiness,inner peace, and outward success, no matter what their present or past circumstances. There are very real methods anyone can use to achieve these things-if they are willing to make the necessary changes in how they see themselves and their relationship to the rest of the world, and take the necessary actions.
Holosync Meditation - Does It Really Work?
Chances are, if you are on a quest for self-improvement, you've already heard of the Holosync Meditation CD's. What It Is: Developed by Bill Harris in the late 1980s, the Holosync Solution is an audio program designed to bring your brain waves to the alpha (and lower)levels automatically just by listening to the cds.