Clear as Quartz

Meditation: unravelling the myths

I really like this post on Yoga-Abode, the site of Lucia Cockcroft, a friend of mine. Lucia says that "You don't have to wear orange robes and sit on cushions in an incense-swathed room. Anyone can meditate, and even a minute a day can pay off," and with this, she basically deconstructs the idea that mediation is something that only gurus people can do.

In this post, Lucia provides a simple guide on how to begin this very beneficial practice and interestingly, notes that one the most difficult things to take on board is that meditation must be practised without a specific goal.

Meditation books worth checking out

With reference to my last post on meditation techniques, I thought it might be worth rounding up some of the good meditatin books out there to buy.

Meditation for Dummies by Stephan Bodian is a very simple, easy to use book which is perfect for beginners. Okay, it doesn't look like something Deepak Chopra might have lying around on his coffee table, but it 'does what it say s on the tin'! It's available from Amazon currently priced at £10.39.

Meditation techniques and free lessons

Meditation is the one thing that everyone in the world can benefit from, and daily practice (or as often as you can begin with, even if just once a week to start) can really enrich your life - quietening the mind, providing focus, producing a sense of calm, and allowing physical relaxation.

For those who are completely unfamiliar to meditation, in the most simplest form, you can begin by sitting in a comfortable position, closing your eyes, taking deep breaths, and allowing your mind to empty. Thoughts will come in, but just let them go.

Tai Chi not Tetley Tea?

I had my Tai Chi class with Graeme last night and I'm very much starting to feel the benefits. I really, really love it, I have to say. Having been away on holiday the last couple of weeks not practising it, I noticed a difference in my self (feeling not quite as calm as I had been).

I'm very fond of the moving forms of mediation - much more so than seated meditation. I find it easier to still my mind whilst also using my body to move chi energy - maybe it provides some extra focus but I feel like I've been basking in an oasis of restfulness after a Tai Chi session!