How to Meditate

As a small business person, you will be under stress. It helps you to operate in a more relaxed way . and therefore in a more effective manner. Decisions are made calmly and logically, and are not based on sudden gusts of emotion that can easily throw us off balance if we are not on guard. It can make us more aware of what impulses and desires govern our behaviour, and by being aware of these, we can deal with them at a more conscious level. Also, the continued pratice of meditation will help you

There are many different meditation techniques, but here is a simple and easy one based on counting the breaths.
1.Sit upright on a straight-backed chair or sit cross-legged on a cushion on the floor. Try to maintain a relaxed pose but keep your back straight and your head slightly bowed. No need for contortions - be kind to your knee joints!
2.Close your eyes, check for muscle tension throughout your body, and focus on the area that is causing the tension. Consciously relax the muscles.
3.Make sure your mouth is closed and focus on the breath entering your nostrils. Don't try to force or regulate the breath, just breathe normally. Gradually, your breathing will become steadier and gentler; but there's no need to consciously aim to achieve this. Let the natural rhythm of your breathing take charge.
4.After a few minutes, begin to make a mental note of the breaths 'one' [in breath] 'one' [out breath], 'two' [in breath] 'two' [out breath] and so on up to ten.
5.What you will find is that your mind wanders - as the mind does! Don't be put off by this. The mind is used to getting its own way and having free reign. Just return to the counting, and do this for ten to fifteen minutes.
6.If you prefer, don't bother counting and just concentrate on the breath as the air touches your nostrils. Make this the focus of your attention.
7.Don't try to achieve anything. Meditation is not a feat of endurance or a quest for dramatic experiences. At its most basic, it's a means of relaxing both body and mind.
8.Practice this every day - morning and evening if possible - and see for yourself the benefits that develop from it.

"Inner development comes step by step. You may think, "Today my inner calmness and mental peace is very small." But if you compare and look five, ten, or fifteen years back, think for a moment.
"What was my way of thinking then? How much inner peace did I have then compared to today?" Comparing it with what it was then, you will realize that there is some progress and value. This is how you should compare: not with today's, last week's or last year's feeling, but five years ago. Then you can realize what improvement has occurred. Progress comes by maintaining a constant effort in daily practice."
His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Howard
C. Cutler, MD "The Art of Happiness" A
Handbook for Living Coronet Books,
London, 1999. Page 32,34.

As you get into the habit of meditating, you might like to sit for longer periods. However, it will largely depend on your other commitments.
Finally, keep in mind that this is only one meditation method amongst many others. Explore other methods and find one that suits you personally. One particular method that works for one person may not work for another. Find and use a method that you feel is right for you.



About the Author
Bio: Janet K. Ilacqua is a freelance writer based in Tracy, California. She specializes in academic writing and ghostwriting of books and manuals for individuals and small businesses. For more information about her services, check her website at http://www.writeupondemand.com.