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There are couple of
other techniques to control your mind to make meditation more easy
and successful.
1.
Conscious breathing
2. Visualization.
These
techniques not only help meditation but also help in improving your
general health and healing process of your bodily ailments.
Conscious
breathing.
The
act of breathing is so simple and natural that you hardly ever think
about it, unless of course you suffer from respiratory problems.
So
why should we spend time talking about a mechanical function which
your body performs whether you want it to or not?
Because the fact is, very few people breathe correctly.
Superficial, shallow breathing has a negative impact on both
your mental and physical health, for various reasons:
- Your
brain does not receive enough fresh oxygen, which it needs to
think properly
- Your
body produces an abnormally large amount of toxins due to excess
stress
- Your
blood vessels constrict, predisposing you to hypertension and
various cardiovascular problems
- You
suffer from excessive emotional tension, which in turn disturbs
your clarity of mind
- Your
nervous system may be thrown out of balance, resulting in less
effective motor functions.
Modern
science has confirmed what yoga masters have been saying for
centuries.
Knowing
how to breathe properly is one of the keys to longevity.
Here
are a few guidelines to help you master the art of breathing:
You
can focus on any object to practice mental concentration – a rose,
a painting, a candle etc. Concentrating on your breathing (without letting your mind
wander) is a way of killing two birds with one stone – the
technique improves your concentration and at the same time allows
you to breathe consciously, filling and emptying your lungs
completely.
But it isn’t
always easy. To help
you get started, concentrate on counting 10 breaths at first (one
breath includes a complete cycle of inhalation and exhalation).
If
you have no trouble concentrating to 10, do another 10 cycles.
Once you are able to do that stop counting and simply
concentrate on your breathing.
As
you continue concentrating on your breathing you’ll notice your
negative emotions having less and less of an impact, until
eventually they disappear altogether.
At the same time your breathing will become more supple and
flowing. Try to do your
breathing exercises in a location where the surrounding air is as
pure as possible.
Courtesy:
Newsletter from London Sath Sangham
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