Up Your Happiness with Meditation (made easy)

One of the most beneficial things We can do for ourselves
is meditate.  Meditation is something everyone can do.
You don't need any special abilities,
You don't need any special tools,
You don't need to be a member of some secret society.
Meditation belongs to Everyman (or Woman).

Meditation provides health benefits -
both mental & physical.  The act of Meditating relaxes us.
It lowers blood pressure, relieves anxiety, reduces stress.
In some cases it reduces pain. 
It calms us.  It brings a sense of peace.

Meditation is a simple practice.
We go into it will a simple mindset.
The only expectation should be to calm
& center One's self.
Sometimes people think Meditation
is this miracle that is going to align them
with the Universe overnight or
help them connect psychically & receive messages.
Anything is possible, but not necessarily feasible.
It also doesn't happen overnight.
Yogi's spend a lifetime perfecting their Meditation,
Or realizing there is no perfection.
For spiritual seekers,
it is the path to self realization,
Developing One's consciousness.

For the average person,
Meditation will help achieve
a sense of calm & peace
Which leads to good health and happiness.
So, How do I meditate???
 
1. Put the focus on breath.  Breath from nose to
abdomen. Deep Breaths. Be conscious of Your breath.
Notice the sensation, how it feels.  We as a whole are
shallow breathers.  We need to "relearn" how to breath
properly & Meditation helps.
NO, don't get all worked up & hyperventilate.
Take it slow & steady.

2. Use a Mantra.  Simply put a Mantra is the repetition
of a word or phrase.

3. Guided Imagery or Meditations.        

4. Prayer Beads, Mala Beads, Rosaries. 
    Although I often use My Mala beads, I have a simple
    gemstone bracelet on elastic that  love to use.
                                                                             
                                                     
 

                                                          
5.  Focus on Your body.  When I was Young,
      I  learned a relaxation technique.
      I was very Young so I'm not sure
      what prompted me to do this but
      I would lie in bed focus on My body
      beginning with My feet.
      I would focus on relaxing them
      without moving them. Not even wiggling My toes!
      I would move up My body focusing
      on relaxing & not moving.
     You can image how difficult that was.
      It still is, but it is a great technique to help You relax.

6. Meditate anywhere. At work, have a lunch break?
     Sit outside, find a tree or comfortable bench.

7.  Take the focus off time.
      It doesn't matter "how long",
     what matters is how you come away feeling.
     Don't stress about how you did,
     how much time you devoted.
     In fact, In the beginning -
     less is more!  Start out with 5 min.
     & slowly increase your routine.

The most important advice I can give,
 "Enter into a Meditation Practice without expectations".
Just be in the moment.  Relax.  Meditation shouldn't be something
to lose sleep over, it should be something that helps you sleep.
It should be something helps you find your center -
It should bring you peace, and peace brings happiness.

Blessings!