Learn How To Meditate With A Few Simple Steps
Learn How To Meditate With A Few Simple Steps |
- Learn How To Meditate With A Few Simple Steps
- 1 in 6 Teen Moms Didn't Believe They Could Get Pregnant
- Why Are You Still Eating Badly? Perhaps It's The Stress Effect
- Marriage, Cohabitation Provide Similar Health Benefit
- Using Meditation to Forge On with Your Career
- Yoga Made Safer: Experts Provide Do's and Don'ts
- Decrease Your Stress Levels With This Excellent Guidance
- How to develop self-compassion
- Does Meditation Help Quit Smoking
- A great divide
- The Subconscious Mind - Two Myths About Negative Programming and Your Subconscious Mind
- Positivity is contagious
- How To Use Your Subconscious Mind For Happy Life
- Benefits of Yoga
- Early Morning Buddhist Inspiration - 1/19/2012
- Knowing Yoga will help me in improving my Personal Life
- The happiest and unhappiest cities to work in
- Introduction To Subconscious Mind Power Techniques
- Find Peace in the Buddhist Monasteries
- ZAZEN AND THE SYSTEM OF REIKI
- Benefits Of Doing Yoga To Improve Your Meditation
- Does Stress Management Meditation Really Work?
- How can you manage stress?
- Are all religions essentially the same?
- Meditation to Relieve Stress
| Learn How To Meditate With A Few Simple Steps Posted: 19 Jan 2012 01:00 PM PST Article by Trevor Johnson Practice and you can learn how to meditate. Meditation has became very common practice within the last few years. Meditation means the ability to clear your mind of thoughts and getting deep into the mind. Beyond your physical body meditation often anywhere is the goal blocking all thoughts and sounds around you making your mind quiet. Now, learning how to train your mind is the first step in meditation. You should be in a comfortable chair and also have great posture and back straight. When you first try to meditate you don't have to cross legs but as you get better with posture start crossing legs. (1) Any position that is relaxing to you can work either by sitting up or lying down. Next have your eyes halfway open focusing on an object this can be any item. (2) Take a slow deep breathe you should feel your stomach rising and falling and your chest stays still. Repeating breathing method inhaling for 3 seconds and exhaling for 6 seconds in doing so for up to 15-20 minutes. (3) Every muscle in your body needs to relax taking away any tension you may have away. (4) Focusing your mind can be hard sometimes your mind will want to wander. But, remember to bring your mind back to one single point. Eventually your mind will settle just on that point. (5) Next, once you have established how to focus on one thing. Then you should try training your mind to focus on nothing clearing your mind. You will have to be determined and very disciple casting away or letting it come into your mind then releasing thought without labeling. Then returning back to a clear peaceful and quiet mind. Lastly, when meditation try to find a quiet space free of disturbing noises. Some pick a quiet outside area listen to the natural sounds and looking at the sky or even creating a mediation room. Some people pray during meditation maybe to help find peace just being grateful for there many blessings. This can be an effective type of meditation technique. About the AuthorFind out more about how you can learn how to meditate and check out the best meditation program for you. Relaxation ≈ Waves - FLORIDA BEACHES, Best PT. 2 meditation video Ocean Sounds Relaxation Naples Sanibel Captiva Island 
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| 1 in 6 Teen Moms Didn't Believe They Could Get Pregnant Posted: 19 Jan 2012 01:00 PM PST
Half of teen mothers say they were not using birth control when they got pregnant, and a new report outlines the reasons teens give for not doing so. Of teen moms who reported not using birth control, 31 percent said they did not believe they could get pregnant at the time. To decrease teen birth rates, teens need factual information about the conditions under which pregnancy can occur, along with public health efforts aimed at reducing or delaying teens' sexual activities, according to the report released today by researchers for the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention. Others gave various reasons for not using birth control — 24 percent said their partner did not want to use contraception, 13 percent said they had trouble getting birth control, 9 percent said they experienced side effects from using contraception and 8 percent said they thought their sex partner was sterile. Twenty-two percent of the teens said they did not mind getting pregnant. Health care providers and parents can work to prevent teen pregnancy by increasing teens' motivation to avoid pregnancy; providing access to contraception and encouraging the use of more effective methods, and strengthening the skills of teens to negotiate contraceptive use with their partners. Some teen moms reported using birth control Of all teens who gave birth, 21 percent reported using a highly effective contraceptive method, such as an intrauterine device, and an additional 24 percent reported used condoms. Inconsistent use of contraception may explain how these teens became pregnant, according to the report. Research has shown that teens who report using birth control do not use it consistently, the report noted. One survey found that among sexually active teens who reported using condoms, only 52 percent said they used a condom every time they had sex. The rates of not using birth control did not vary among teens of different racial groups — whether white, black or Hispanic, about half the teens reported not using birth control when they became pregnant. There were some differences among the groups in terms of the reasons teens gave for not using birth control. Forty-two percent of Hispanic teens reported not using contraception because they did not think they could get pregnant at the time, whereas 32 percent of black teens gave that reason and 27 percent of white teens did. Previous research has shown that 17 percent of all sexually active teens report not using birth control when they last had sex. Teen births in the U.S. About 400,000 U.S. teens ages 15 to 19 give birth each year, which gives the United States the highest teen birth rate in the developed world, according to the report. Teen mothers are more likely than others to drop out of school, and infants born to teens are more likely to have low birth weight, putting them at risk for a number of health conditions, and lower academic achievement, according to the report. The researchers used data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, which gathers data on maternal attitudes and experiences before, during and after pregnancy. Thirty-seven states and New York City contribute data to the system. The data used in the report were gathered from 2004 to 2008. The report was limited in that it relied on the teens' own reports of their contraceptive use, and in the PRAMS data were not available from all states. Pass it on: To reduce the teen birth rate, teens need more information about the conditions under which pregnancy happens, better access to birth control and skills to negotiate contraception use with their partners. Follow MyHealthNewsDaily on Twitter @MyHealth_MHND. Find us on Facebook.  Read More @ Source 
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| Why Are You Still Eating Badly? Perhaps It's The Stress Effect Posted: 19 Jan 2012 12:00 PM PST Article by Hywel Williams It's difficult to emphasize how important it is to avoid stress when trying to change a lifetime of bad eating habits. Modern day life can be one challenge after another. It's the attitude we take to these challenges that can make all the difference. That difference can mean getting those six-pack abs you've always wanted, it can be getting a promotion at work, or it could just mean fitting in the gym, work, and a date, all in one day. It's difficult to express how important stress reduction can be for the quality of your life, not just in the short term, but in the long run too. Scientists are consistently linking stress to illness, and it seems stress can have quite the snowball effect on our health. The theory goes something like this ; Stress is a known contributing factor to insomnia, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. These conditions, if allowed to worsen, can in turn lead to chronic fatigue syndrome, hormonal imbalances (especially in women), stroke, heart disease, and sexual dysfunction. Some studies also illustrate that stress can lead to sufferers having a lowered immune system, in turn resulting in contraction of more colds and infections. Pretty nasty stuff. On the nutrition front, stress can severely effect your good intentions. You've probably experienced this yourself before, even if you didn't realise it at the time. For example, the student that disregards that revision for the test until the week before. Or, The office worker who's got the boss on their back about that overdue report. Sound familiar? Then comes the panic, stress hits, so much to do in so little time. Our body's response ? Increase the production of andrenalin. The consequence of this is that our fat cells all over our body dispense fatty acids into the blood stream. The purpose of this is to provide us with a source of immediate energy. However, it doesn't take that much energy to sit at a desk and read over the same paper again and again (even if you do throw it across! the roo m several times in frustration). Our physical reaction to this is to produce Cortisol. Cortisol transports the unused fatty acids and decides to dump the majority of them around our midsection. Not our best friend in the six pack abs game. It also contributes to visceral fat - the fat deposits surrounding our major organs. Visceral fat is dangerous, studies illustrate its highly active, and may pump poisons into the bloodstream. It also constricts production of endorphins that can lift our mood. In the immediate future stress translates into us making the 'easy' food choice. Or, at least what we perceive as the easy option. For the example above, this might be the student ordering in a Dominoes Pizza, or the office worker picking up a take-away on the way home after a hard days work. However, all we're doing is creating a 'boom and bust' sceanario. When we eat these foods, the simple sugars will rush into our blood stream - instant satisfaction. We all know what comes next. The Crash. Two hours later, you're tired, bloated, and can't concentrate. You probably also feel guilty. You should! But all is not lost, it's just important to realise how far a little preparation and the right attitude can go. We've all had experiences like those above. Even those of us with defined mid-sections. The secret is to have food ready to heat-up in the fridge. This means cooking healthy dishes for the week ahead. Alternatively, if stress triggers those cravings for that take-away or chocolate, and you have no nutrition packed meals ready to heat-up, just start cooking a healthy dish. This can be difficult, but if you make it through the cravings then you'll feel satisfied and good about yourself for having that nutritious dinner which takes you a step further towards your physique goals. The lesson is this: adequate stress management will help us make better choices. Whether this be in our nutrition, in our work, or in our wider lives. When stressed, we often revert to doing what we've always done. So th! at may b e bad nutrition, getting too drunk, or handing in that rushed and flawed report to your boss. From the outset, it's easy to see how time management can help us avoid stress. But what other stress cures are there to keep your nutrition (and waistline) on the right track? - No more for me thanks! Alcohol is one of the best substances you can use to dehydrate your body. The reaction of the body to this is to release lots of cortisol (remember the stress hormone that deposits fat around the waistline), control this by limiting alcohol intake. Now that doesn't mean you can't have the occasional night out, but keep them few and far between, and drink responsibly. Also, ordering water between alcoholic drinks will help. - Chart your progress. Studies have shown that people can manage stress more effectively if they believe they are making progress. Implement this into all sections of your life. Plan and chart your nutrition for the week (you're far less likely to stray this way). Chart your workouts and record these. If it's work related stress, sit-down and study what aspects of your job are the source of your troubles. Then, chart the progress you make in eliminating the stress from these situations. - Supplement your peace of mind. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of vitamin C when dealing with stress. You can get this from your nutrition intake, or if you wish you can supplement it too. 1000mg per day is a sufficient amount to potentially aid stress management. It's best to spread this intake into smaller increments across the day. - Find your happy place. Spend your time with friends whom have a positive outlook. Avoid people who make you angry, depressed, or argue unnecessarily. It's important to realise that some things are out of our control, don't try to control the uncontrollable. Instead, its far more healthy, for your mind and body to focus on that which you can control. This relates closely to charting your progress. - Avoid that late night internet surfing. Slee! p specia lists seem to publish new studies on a weekly basis on the optimum amount of sleep per night. Most people agree around eight hours per night is adequate. I've worked with fitness coaches who recommend up to ten hours a night for recovery purposes for their athletes. The take home message is make sure you get enough for you. Listen to your body. Don't rely on caffeine to get you through the day. - Reframe the Situation. While it might sound like 'new-age' rubbish to some, the process of reframing problems can be a powerful tool to deal with stressful challenges. Try to view issues from the positive perspective. As JFK said; "When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity". -And if I really needed to tell you: Avoid smoking. Withdrawing from friends, family, and healthy activities. Using drugs to relax. Physical violence. Gambling. Procrastination. Implementing the above techniques in dealing with stress can keep you on the right track with your nutrition. If you're still viewing eating nutritious healthy food as a chore, rather than something which can improve your health, looks, athletic performance, and sex appeal, then visit the view our other articles, or download The Truth About Six Pack Abs ebook. It provides easy- to- master nutrition principles, motivation secrets for lifelong nutrition success, the truth about popular supplements, and beautiful recipes you'll prefer to any take-away. We call it smart nutrition for smart people. About the AuthorIf you wish to learn more about nutrition, fitness, and how to eat to stay lean for life, check out the other free articles on our site: http://www.food4abs.com/ Good luck with your nutrition. Yours in Health. http://www.food4abs.com/ How to do Autogenic Training (Meditation, Self-hypnosis, Stress Manangement) 
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| Marriage, Cohabitation Provide Similar Health Benefit Posted: 19 Jan 2012 12:00 PM PST
We've heard married people are happier, but that might not be a reason to rush to the altar, according to a new study. In terms of health, self-esteem, and psychological well-being, marriage offers little benefit over simply living together without wedding rings, the study found. It's the relationship itself, rather than its official status, that's key to its benefits, said study researcher Kelly Musick, an associate professor of policy analysis and management at Cornell University's College of Human Ecology. "Being in a romantic relationship, irrespective of the legal form, does provide benefits over remaining single," Musick said. Moreover, the findings suggest that for some, cohabitation may be the better option than marriage, Musick said. Participants who cohabited in the study were happier and had greater self-esteem than those who were married. This may be because cohabitation offers more room for independence and personal growth, which may be particularly important for some people at certain stages in life, Musick said. The study is published in the February issue of the Journal of Marriage and Family. Marriage vs. cohabitation Many previous studies looking at the benefits of marriage have focused on comparing married couples with single people, or comparing married with cohabiting couples at one point in time. The new study followed 2,737 single men and women over six years to see what happened when they entered a relationship or got married. The study data were drawn from national surveys given in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Participants rated their overall health and happiness, and were also asked questions to assess their self -esteem, depression and the strength of their ties to friends and family. Over the study period, close to 900 participants married or began living with a romantic partner. In general, both marriage and cohabitation came with an uptick in well being. Those who got married or started living with a partner experienced higher levels of happiness, and lower levels of depression, than those who remained single, although these advantages faded with time. People who married did report better overall health compared with those who cohabited, which may be explained by the entitlements (such as health insurance for spouses) that come with marriage. However, marriage and cohabitation also reduced contact with family and friends compared to being single, and this effect lasted over time. The researchers noted it's been about 20 years since the surveys they used were performed, and the relative benefits of marriage versus cohabitation may have changed in recent years. However, it's not clear whether their findings would be more or less true today, Musick said. On the one hand, the experiences of marriage and cohabitation have become increasingly similar. But on the other hand, marriage may still hold a greater social status than cohabitation in the United States, she said. Better off married? The new findings are extremely valuable because they provide a clearer picture of the advantages of marriage, and counter the view that "marriage is the solution to so many of our problems" said Gary Lee, professor and chair department of sociology at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, who was not involved in the study. "I think that's an incredibly naive view," Lee said. People who claim marriage brings great benefits to everyone "are kind of cherry-picking the research," Lee said. In reality, the people who aren't getting married may not be doing so because it won't make them any better off, Lee said. In today's economic environment, marriage does not bring the same financial benefits as it used it, he said. The researchers emphasized that "we are certainly not saying that marriage is irrelevant for individual well-being," Musick said. For some, marriage may be a great source of happiness. Still, the findings call into question the value of using limited resources on campaigns to promote marriage over other family forms, Musick said. More research is needed to better inform policy-makers about the advantages, or lack thereof, of such campaigns. Pass it on: Cohabitation may be just as good as marriage in promoting happiness and well-being. Follow MyHealthNewsDaily staff writer Rachael Rettner on Twitter @RachaelRettner. Find us on Facebook. Read More @ Source 
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| Using Meditation to Forge On with Your Career Posted: 19 Jan 2012 11:00 AM PST Article by Nelson Berry RELAXATION MUSIC #2 HD OAHU BEACHES Relaxing NEW AGE Video Hawaii Ocean Meditation most relax spa 
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| Yoga Made Safer: Experts Provide Do's and Don'ts Posted: 19 Jan 2012 11:00 AM PST
Many preach that yoga helps keep them centered, toned and flexible. The messages seem to be spreading — according to a recent New York Times article, the number of Americans practicing yoga grew from about 4 million in 2001 to an estimated 20 million in 2011. But recent news articles have also drawn attention to possible injuries that can come with practicing yoga, such as damage to hip joints, nerves, knees and back. Here are four tips to remain safe during yoga practice. Beware of bends Forward bends, such as Uttanasana, which involves a person standing with their feet together and bending at the hip, can relieve stress and stretch the calves, hamstrings and hips. But certain people should steer clear. Those with osteoporosis could fracture their spines by bending forward, and those with herniated disks may suffer pain from these stretches, said Dr. Loren Fishman, a New York City physician who is also a yoga instructor. Fishman said those with herniated disks could do back bends instead. "It's a known physical therapy technique," he said. However, people with spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal column that causes pressure on the spinal cord — should not do back bends, because it may exacerbate their condition, he said. Fishman also added that 5 percent of people experience the opposite effects of these poses: A small number of people with spinal stenosis benefit from back bends, and a small number of people with herniated disks benefit from forward bends. "It's always best to do test these poses and see what is helping or hurting," Fishman said. "Don't just pick up a rule and run with it." Individualize your inversions "The advantages of any inverted pose are terrific," Fishman said. Being upside down can "strengthen the diaphragm, helping people with asthma, emphysema and bronchitis, and bring blood to the upper lung fields, places that are under-infused with blood." The headstand, known as Shirshasana, can lower blood pressure, temporarily slowing down the heart and calming the body. "It also gives you a different viewpoint on life, which is an added benefit," Fishman said. But people who have neck or back problems, glaucoma or cerebrovascular problems should not do headstands, Fishman said. Some people with glaucoma may benefit instead by doing poses such as the Sarvangasana, which is a shoulder stand. Studies examining how headstands and shoulder stands affect the pressure within the eyes have found that it does not increase during shoulder stands, whereas the pressure can double in less than 30 seconds during a headstand, Fishman said. However, people with neck problems, herniated disks or bad arthritis should not do shoulder stands, Fishman said. Fishman suggested a safer way for anyone to do another inversion, called the plow, or Halasana, which involves laying on your back and bringing the legs up and over the head until your feet touch the floor. The best way to do this stretch, he said, is to place two blankets under the shoulders for cushioning. Still, it should not be done by people with herniated disks or instability in the neck or upper back, he said. There has been controversy in the yoga world about whether inversions should be done by menstruating women, Fishman said. Some believe that inverted poses may alter menstrual flow, leading to endometriosis, a condition in which uterine cells grow outside the uterus, in other regions of the abdominal cavity. Fishman said he has observed menstruating women do headstands and that his advice is "if it hurts, don't do it." But there have been no documented cases of endometriosis resulting from headstands, he said. Tune-up your twists Twists, such as Matsyendrasana, a seated, half twist, can stretch the back and hips, massage the abdominal organs and increase blood flow to the spine. But they should not be done by people who have had hip replacement operations, according to Fishman. "If someone twists to the side of their hip replacement, the prosthetic can be pulled right out," Fishman said. Also, people with herniated disks should make sure to twist away from the side of the disk, he said. Fishman, in an effort to study yoga's impact on people with osteoporosis, developed a yoga DVD that has been distributed for free around the world. He said despite the fact that many people believe osteoporosis sufferers should not do twists, he has found that twists are not harmful. "We have 49,000 documented hours of people with osteoporosis using our DVD, and no one has ever had a fracture," he said. Take heed of hot yoga Yoga done in hot rooms, also known as Bikram yoga, has been touted for its ability to burn fat. However, people with multiple sclerosis (MS) should not participate in this type of yoga, according to Fishman, because heat can worsen the condition's symptoms. Fishman recommends that those with MS do Iyengar yoga instead, as it focuses on alignment and is gentler on the body. Pass it on: People with certain conditions should avoid some yoga poses. Follow MyHealthNewsDaily on Twitter @MyHealth_MHND. Find us on Facebook. Read More @ Source 
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| Decrease Your Stress Levels With This Excellent Guidance Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:00 AM PST Article by Tritle Filion On occasion, everyone's concerns seem to be all for you, and also your responsibility to resolve. The emotional, psychological, and in many cases actual physical pressure this exerts can turn out to be virtually unbearable. This really is what happens when stress begins to bother us, however it doesn't need to be this way, so here are some helpful ideas which could make you start to really feel better. There are actually occasions when all you need to combat a stressful scenario is to speak with a close confidant. Releasing anxiety and pent up emotion significantly improves your mood. Seek out loved ones who are willing and capable of meet you for your chat anytime you require them. Individuals often initiate their very own unnecessary difficulties. Lots of the time, men and women make bad decisions because they don't know how to get the responsibility for them, or do what is supposed to be accomplished. Men and women also often fear malfunction, and thus subconsciously sabotage their very own endeavours. When you like tea, a cup of chamomile tea can soothe a stressful day. Chamomile tea is wonderful to use tensions away and assist you to visit sleep. The warmth from the chamomile tea, plus its therapeutic properties, will assistance your body to relax. In the event you have a dog, relieve your stress by petting it. It's a known fact that animal owners are a lot more likely to live carefree, happy lives. The animals will probably be grateful for that attention which you are paying to them, and you will experience so significantly better. Never ever use alcohol because the solution to stress. Even though it's great to enjoy a couple of drinks with your buddies from time for you to time, drinking beer as well as other alcoholic beverages each solitary night to be a means of unwinding is detrimental for various good reasons. This could cause much more stress, and even addiction. Many people have turned to aromatherapy, an substitute medicine using volatile plant m! aterials , to cut back on daily stress. The sense of smell is rather powerful and also the ideal scents can thwart stress. Soothing scents, like chamomile or lavender, is certain to get picked up by your olfactory senses and guide calm down your brain waves. Try out scented candles to obtain the relaxing effect you need in your room. A massage can truly assistance to ease your stress in life. Massages take a remarkable affect on your own body, and cause it to naturally relax after a long, hard day. Complete body massages alleviate any stiffness and soreness within the muscles caused by stress, and might also assist to calm the mind. Music will be an effective a part of a stress reduction application. It really is very well recognized that soothing music can decrease stress levels. Be sure to select music that is suitable to your own stress relief, because the music that soothes one particular person may not possess the same soothing effect for you. Music brings about the launch of serotonin, and it helps facilitate deep breathing. Meditation could be the best way to control stressful conditions and feelings of anxiety. Meditation is a great technique for reducing anxiety and stress. Meditation need not be a complicated process either taking a very few minutes to listen to soothing music and clear your mind every day can be remarkably effective. Short term doses of stress can be a positive. They encourage you, give you energy, and supply focus. Even so, if you have problems with stress on a long-term basis, you possibly can end up developing issues including great blood pressure, obesity and prolonged sadness. Utilize the information and assistance within this document to appropriately control stress, and create it a positive a part of your life instead of suffering from it. About the AuthorE-Lites CigaretteE-Lites reviews I AM Meditation - Self Awareness, Worth, Stress Release Meditation 
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| How to develop self-compassion Posted: 19 Jan 2012 10:00 AM PST Rick Hanson, author of Buddha's Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom and Just One Thing: Developing A Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time Related posts:
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| Does Meditation Help Quit Smoking Posted: 19 Jan 2012 09:00 AM PST Article by Nathalie Fiset Is it true that meditation could really help a smoker in any way possible? Possibly, yes. We cannot disprove something that is yet to be proven, in this case the alternative medical approach called meditation. Meditation has long been considered as one of the very few ways by which man could access himself without really having to accommodate the intervention of the logical mind. Meditation helps relieve the stress of everyday life and it helps the person rejuvenate his mind to function more effectively. Apart from these, meditation is also considered as a cure to some diseases and disorders, especially those that are infiltrated mostly by stresses. Stress though doesn't have to be physical; oftentimes it is what affects the mind of the smoker that causes more aggravated troubles. It makes the mind weak resulting to the deterioration of the body and the will to continue what was first a goal. Thus, people who want to quit smoking ought to consider methods that may not be supported by medical science but nonetheless effective enough as to warrant results that are directly or indirectly connected with the target object. Millions of Americans each day attempt to break the habit that have cost them money, lost of social acceptance and of course the worth of each second of their lives. Normally, they would start out strong, having the full conviction to call power for mind to take over matter. In this way, they could easily repress the urges without really having to to battle their own want to smoke. They simply have the stamina to continue what they have set their minds for. But by the time they come upon the serious emotional barrier they will, in just a matter of seconds, consider relapsing. This is when some people find themselves heading back to the smoking area which they consider as their comfort zone. However, too few people would really be able to make the difference and continue to pursue his smoking cessation program. Thos who ran at the slightest provocative ! emotion to smoke will find initial relief. But this is followed by the fear, guilt and consciousness- sometimes over consciousness- on the hopelessness of his case. Thus the breakdown. But this must not be so. Thus, meditation comes in rescue. But as you might see later, meditation to help quit the smoking habit acts in two very dissimilar ways. For one, it will relive the person from the pressure of temptations but on the other hand, the person will be rescued from the pressure of not being able to meet the goal. The former conceives the smoking cessation on a much brighter side since meditation could help drive the person with complete motivation to stay quit even when the mind calls for a last smoke. But the latter will somehow help prepare the person to commit himself to the quit smoking plan...again. The question of whether mediation helps does not inquire on HOW exactly this method helps but on the possibilities of supporting helpful measures. Again, our answer to that is yes even if this means that meditation contributes too little in the greater scheme of things when smoking cessation is concerned. Let us show you the reasons... Quitting a habit needs mental conditioning that would prepare the mind to the battles that it would encounter sooner or later, depending on the threshold of the smoker. Let us stress that smoking and nicotine are very addictive and once a person begins a program that would eliminate these components in his system, his body would react with either the dramatic or gradual change. But once the body or the mind reacts to the changes, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal would arise. These are the very last thing you would really want to face but you have no choice but to face them. There are a lot of methods and techniques that would you get through a day of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. If you want, you could self administer nicotine replacement devices. BUT there are other options aside form those that you would spray, attach or inhale nicotine substance wit! h. You c ould devise a way by which you can repress the urges without really having to use anything but the power of your mind which by the way, has been proven to be so powerful that it could do anything you would ask from it. So if you want to try something that is definitely not a health hazard and something that could contribute to your general well-being, why not summon the powers of meditation and create changes in your life for good. About the AuthorFor more information on how to stop smoking please go to:http://www.stopsmokingforbetterhealth.com/does-meditation-help-quit-smoking.htmlhttp://www.stopsmokingforbetterhealth.comhttp://www.drnathaliefiset.com Kirtan Kriya Meditation 
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| Posted: 19 Jan 2012 09:00 AM PST If you find yourself learning Buddhism mainly by sitting on your arse in a cold Zen center, which happens to be near your apartment or home, you're probably doing okay, or so you believe. You're learning to become an ordinary Stress Reduction. Well, if this is where you are at—sorry dude (or dudette)—you're a lost cause. Count yourself a puthujjanas (S., prithagjana). Puthujjanas are followers of the Buddha but not members of the Triple Gem Sangha which is exclusively made up of spiritual initiates (P., ariysavaka; S., aryasravaka). The spiritual initiates are the nirvana winners who free themselves from rebirth—not the puthujjanas. All this is an overlooked fact of Buddhism—not conjecture—if one has taken the time to read Peter Masefield's scholarly work, Divine Revelation in Pali Buddhism. More to the point, Masefield's book lays out the evidence (and lots of it) that salvation in early Buddhism was limited, exclusively, to a spiritual elite—not the common followers, that is, the puthujjanas.
The aforementioned amounts to a punch in the gut for the conformist Zen center zennie. But more of a punch in the gut is that fact that the old Stress Reduction canon (Nikayas) is rife with proof of a spiritual division between ariyasavaka and puthujjana. Later on, in Mahayana Buddhism, the division goes even further. It is between ariyasavaka and Bodhisattvas, a genuine Bodhisattva having had bodhicittotpada (the generation of mind that is bodhi) which is perhaps more difficult to accomplish than the ariyasavaka's stream entry.
All this talk of suffering... 
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| The Subconscious Mind - Two Myths About Negative Programming and Your Subconscious Mind Posted: 19 Jan 2012 08:00 AM PST Article by Christine Hoeflich This article clarifies two major myths and misconceptions rampant in the self-help industry about the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is purported by some well-known teachers in the industry to be full of dark and unwanted tendencies. If you can impress upon your terrible subconscious pictures and visualizations of the things you want and release yourself from its negative programming, you can finally achieve the success you deserve. The following are two fundamental claims about the subconscious that are nothing more than myths. Myth #1: The subconscious mind accepts anything and everything you impress upon it It is easy to refute this myth when you realize what the subconscious mind actually is. Your subconscious is the source of your intuition--an extension of your higher self. Your higher self is not easily impressed upon, and it is certainly not fooled. Although it is true that your subconscious mind is "in charge of" your life experiences, the self-help industry is still largely ignorant of the true reasons behind the struggles and challenges in people's lives. It isn't necessarily that certain teachers are deliberately misleading; it's just that all this is part of the divine game being played out on this planet, and it's how the higher self's goal of growth through firsthand experience is attained. Myth #2: Because your subconscious mind must accept anything your conscious mind gives to it, building a picture in your conscious mind and planting it into your subconscious will then move you to take effective action - leading you to the results you want and to your success. I have found through personal experience that this is not how the process works. In fact, the self-help industry has it backwards. You can see this when you examine the concepts deeper than surface-level. (And also, when you apply them: The Law of Attraction, as it is currently understood, has not really worked for the "average" person.) The conscious mind is often referr! ed to as the ego personality mind. Your subconscious mind (the consciousness of your higher self, also called the superconscious) is connected to the divine plan, the larger plan being played out in the Universe. Your conscious ("ego") mind will not and cannot override the plan your higher self set out for you since before you were born. Your conscious mind (it isn't all that conscious) is not yet aware of the larger divine plan, but the reasons for that are beyond the scope of this article. However, the process for your success is simple and it works like this: You familiarize yourself with your higher self and the plan your higher self has for you will gradually be made known to you on an "as needed" basis. Then you take actions based on your inner guidance, your intuition. Taking action inspired by your higher self will place you in amazing synchronicities as well as give you new insights that will forward your success. Your conditioned ego mind (your conscious mind) does not have the ultimate understanding of your life situation and it certainly doesn't know the bigger picture, the awesome divine plan that's being played out right now. That's why it is time to reconnect to your higher self--and it's what will begin to shift your consciousness. This is the opposite of what the big gurus are telling you to do, I know. But it is time to rethink things and to think for yourself. The subconscious mind has been portrayed as the "bad guy," filled with negative programming which you must alter using their methods - or else. But the challenge and the opportunity of the moment depends on you doing what makes sense to the real, authentic you--not the you that has been mentally conditioned by powerful establishments that have kept humanity ignorant and oppressed for ages. About the Author Are you ready to reconnect with your higher self? Subscribe at http://www.WhatEveryoneBelieved.com/ and receive a free report on how to integrate with your higher self. Christine Hoeflich is the author of Activating 2012: A Practical Guide to Navigating 2012 with Confidence and Clarity--an ebook that gives you all the keys to finally fulfill your dreams. PEKOR HYPNOSIS... MINDFULNESS... 
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| Posted: 19 Jan 2012 08:00 AM PST
When you watch a movie, does the fear of the situation cause your heart to race and your palms to sweat? These are examples of how energy and feelings are contagious. And have you noticed that when you are with someone who is negative, you feel negative too? This frequently happens when someone is talking in a negative way, or complaining, about someone or a situation. Listening to negativity and complaints is not an uplifting, positive experience. But listening to someone speak about what is positive about a situation or a person can lift our hearts and our moods and then we feel positive as well. Have you ever been in a lackluster, dull mood and then spent some time with a friend who was happy and in a positive frame of mind? Did you find that your friend's positivity was contagious? I have witnessed that situation and experienced it as well. In meetings with friends, at work or with family members, we can have an effect on the emotional tone of the gathering. Our positive outlook can transform a negative atmosphere. The next time you are with one person or a group of people, and the discussion becomes negative with gossip or ill will, try turning it around by speaking about the positive qualities of the person other people are gossiping about. At work, if colleagues are speaking negatively about a change in procedure, introduce what might be some positive outcomes of the change and watch how being positive can be contagious. We can sometimes fall into feeling negatively without even realizing what is happening. With mindfulness and an understanding of the interactions between a couple of people or a group of people, we can turn negative energy into positive energy. Do you have a friend or family member who is negative most of the time? Try turning the interaction around by being positive and see whether being positive is contagious. How we think about and respond to situations is our choice. We have a choice to be negative or to be positive. Negativity breeds more negativity. Positivity breeds more positivity. Each person's positivity has an effect on the people they are with – positivity is contagious.
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| How To Use Your Subconscious Mind For Happy Life Posted: 19 Jan 2012 07:00 AM PST Article by Greg Frost Everybody believes that mind is a very powerful thing if properly used. But there are very few people who believe in the power of subconscious mind. How does subconscious mind work and how to use the sub conscious mind? If we get the answer of this question then accordingly we could alter our lifestyles and lead a better life ahead. Nobody has instructed how to raise our thoughts and utilize sub conscious mind in order to get better lifestyle. People don't know the exact way to apply this brilliant tool for happiness, success, develop self confidence. Subconscious mind never stops and works all time without any rest. It never makes judgments like good or bad, but only follows instructions that impress on it consciously. Subconscious thoughts usually work and become active when the conscious mind is totally occupied. It reacts to the dominant thoughts and these thoughts influence state of mind, desires, shape every decision, attitudes, and life prospects and many more things. So the truth is that we have to train our mind to think positive ideas and thoughts with good will power. There are some easy steps that enable the people to use the power of subconscious mind. To use subconscious it properly one need to tell the mind about the problem and discuss the possible solution with it. This can be easily performed by feeding input to it by writing subliminal question in a paper. Apart from writing, these instructions can be clearly feed into the subconscious region of the brain by using visualization tool. After feeding instructions to it, indulge in delightful work or the things which person like such sports, dancing, watching TV or listening music. But if people want to stay out of this want to stay in silence or quit then meditation is the best way to out from everything. This help to reduce stress easily and send signal to subconscious that by feeding instructions. After getting the proper input then, subconscious starts their work. Keep all the thoughts open and keep track of a! ll the s uspicion that may present in person mind. Subconscious mind communicates with the person through feelings. Sometimes person also start visualizing the things in the form of mental images. Keep these images flowing in the mind and don't try to ignore it, as by doing this people are giving instructions to the subconscious mind that they don't believe in this stuff. This will lessens the effective power of subconscious and becomes very difficult to apply this power next time. Our subconscious minds work with powerful thoughts to develop our lifestyle patterns which influence the outcomes we discover in our lives. So whatever we are feeding whether it is good or bad will directly influence the subconscious mind that will affect the present lifestyle in success and failure. So we have to provide our subconscious mind with positive thoughts like love, peace and joy for happy life. So gradually grow mind power and instruct subconscious mind to generate the life people want. About the AuthorClick Here to get your Free 'Ultimate Success Unleashed' <ahref="http://www.chargedaudio.com"> subliminal cd and supercharge your success. Greg Frost is an authority in the subliminal industry for many years and has helped thousands of people worldwide to attain their dreams and goals. 
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| Posted: 19 Jan 2012 07:00 AM PST Article by Feelitburn Yoga in many countries around the world is categorized as Science. The rest of the world doesn't disagree with the categorization; they merely play with words and understand in terms of scientific methods. Before we go to the benefits of Yoga it is important to fist understand what Yoga actually. The word 'Yoga' itself is derived from a Sanskrit word meaning union, which further is elaborated as unity between mind, body and soul. Most of us take Yoga as simply an exercise, something like bicycling or swimming. No doubt Yoga sure is an exercise but only a part of it, the benefits derived from Yoga can make change to ages. This might be sounding cheesy, but it is a known fact. The changes that yoga will make in your life are all great benefits, leading to a more relaxed way of life, better health, better sleep and being better able to deal with problems. To start with a few common things, how many of us fully breathe? Maybe one tenth of the people do, the rest breathe to complete the formality. Complete breathing is also wonderfully relaxing. But are you aware letting your breath reach to every part of your body can sooth for various body aches? People have forgotten to relax their mind and body by natural resources.The primary thing you need to do is get a Yoga mat, squeeze time out of your busy schedule for yourself and leave all your worries behind. You must have seen many people attending Yoga classes or people doing Yoga on TV stretching into various appealing positions. That is the end result of Yoga. Yoga starts with releasing your muscles which have been bent for years sitting on couches, chairs, lying in bed, driving your car etc. It frees your body from the pain and lubricates them. Getting your muscles flexible is the first step to avoiding them from future injuries. Muscles that have become weak and flabby become toned through practicing yoga, leading to increased strength. Stretching your muscles enables your organs to provide fresh blood to the parts which cannot be! reached else wise. This nourishes your body and the result is in the form of fresh and glowing skin. Another great benefit of Yoga is for pregnant women. It helps women to stay in shape and no matter what your fitness level is; Yoga has no side effects and is great to relax in such days. Most of the Yoga instructors are especially certified in pre-natal women and they can easily customize the exercises to suit every individual. When it comes to Yoga instructors, they are trained people. They spend most of their time learning new things which involves more participation on Yoga classes. Hence it makes a group of well trained professionals who understand, patient and great in helping you overcoming difficulties. The important thing is that you need to inform your teacher or trainer about your health concerns. There can be many poses which are not advisable for you and many poses which are required to help you heal. Your teacher will guide you with the various steps involved in yoga postures, like stretching, breathing or simply relaxation. About the Author Fitness Yoga Classes Columbus Ohio YOGA FOR ABS AND CORE STRENGTH 
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| Early Morning Buddhist Inspiration - 1/19/2012 Posted: 19 Jan 2012 07:00 AM PST  "I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures." ~Lao Tzu  Technorati Tags: Buddha Buddhist Buddhism Meditation Dharma      Read More @ Source 
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| Knowing Yoga will help me in improving my Personal Life Posted: 19 Jan 2012 06:00 AM PST Article by Issachar Bey How yoga builds self-esteem, awareness and more Yoga is a way to escape from everything and go into your own little world it will help you to forget all the things that are stressing you for a short while. Yoga will help make a positive change in your life. There are many things that yoga can help you with like depression, many medical problems etc. Yoga is an on going treatment you have to stay with it to get anything out of it. You cannot do it today and accelerate to get the full benefits out of it. What are some of the things yoga will help me with?Yoga can and will help you with many things. You have to get with it and do it in order to get the full benefits out of yoga however. Yoga can help with breathing, so if your not breathing right, yoga will teach you how to get in control of your breathing. Yoga will help you learn how to control your mind as well as your breathing, of you have asthma it can help, carpal tunnel, depression, lower back pain, multiple sclerosis, osteoarthritis of the knees, memory problems, heat disease, high blood pressure, will help you lose weight, will also help the elderly or someone that has balance trouble keep balance. So see it will help in many ways. This will make you feel a lot better inside and outside. How would I learn how to do yoga?You can go to your family doctor they should be able to tell you how you can get enrolled in a program. If they cant do nothing then you might want to try to go to your local library they may have some information on how to get enrolled as well, or you may want to go on line and see what you can find out. They have classes all over so you should be able to get enrolled but there are films and books to teach yourself as well. Can yoga hurt me?Yoga can hurt you if you don't know what your doing or you do too much of it at once that is why you need to talk to your family doctor before you start anything new that is stressful to your body. You have to take these kinds of things slow it's just like exer! cising y ou have to build yourself up. You can't run right into it and expect full benefits from it. It does not work that way. It takes time and obligation before you will see any changes in your body or mind. When learning to do yoga just take your time and be conscious to it learn all you can learn cause it will help you deal with many health issues. You may have just don't try to do it all at once and make sure you call your family doctor to make sure it ok to do it. Then try to find a good group. Groups are always easier for some one that way you have some support to turn to if you have any problems. If you can't afford gym payments, then try asking family and friends to join you. You can start your own home gym at home. At local dollar stores, you will find videos for one buck. Use the videos to gain skills in exercise and yoga. Yoga is an interesting exercise, since it helps you to build muscles and reduce stress. Yoga will help you loose weight; feel better, and so on. Yoga gives you many options in improving your overall personal life. About the AuthorIssachar Bey was born in Brooklyn, New York. He knew at an early age that he had a gift to Transform the lives of people all over the world. He is the Founder of The Enlightenment Center, a Radio Host, Life Coach, and a Phenomenal Speaker. FITNESS CHALLENGE - Flow Yoga #1 - PART 1 OF 2 
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| The happiest and unhappiest cities to work in Posted: 19 Jan 2012 06:00 AM PST
If you happen to work in Cincinnati, Buffalo, or Austin and you're constantly down in the dumps -- don't worry. You're not alone. These three cities are where some of the nation's unhappiest workers are, according to online career site CareerBliss.com. It's no surprise that most of the unhappiest places have frigid winters and humid summers. Unwelcomed snowstorms and dreaded heat waves can affect your happiness, but so can income, workplace environment, and career opportunities (or lack thereof). "On average professionals spend more time at work than they do at home," says CareerBliss' chief executive, Heidi Golledge. "If a significant portion of our lives is spent at work and the work environment is not conducive to a happy atmosphere, the negative effects can transcend into all areas of our lives." Our list of the happiest and unhappiest cities to work in, compiled by CareerBliss, is based on analysis of more than 43,000 independent employee reviews. Employees all over the country were asked to evaluate 10 factors that affect workplace happiness. Those include one's relationship with the boss and co-workers, work environment, job resources, compensation, growth opportunities, company culture, company reputation, daily tasks, and control over the work done does on a daily basis. They evaluated each factor on a five-point scale and also indicated how important it was to their overall happiness. In Photos: The Happiest U.S. Cities To Work In In Photos: The Unhappiest U.S. Cities To Work In Heading the list of the unhappiest U.S. cities to work is New Haven, Conn., with an index score of 3.46. New Haven workers expressed the most pessimism in the Growth Opportunities and Company Culture categories, which scored 2.89 and 3.23, respectively. "Employees there noted that New Haven lacked industry diversification," says CareerBliss' chief technology officer, Matt Miller. "As the city of New Haven moves from a former manufacturing environment to one led by health care and education, many employees feel there to be a limited number of industries, and that affects overall growth opportunities for employees." In the No. 2 spot is Dayton, Ohio. Dayton earned an index score of 3.66. Workers there are most dissatisfied with their growth opportunities and compensation, and most satisfied with their colleagues and daily work tasks. The third unhappiest city to work in is Milwaukee, with an index score of 3.68. Rounding out the top five are Tulsa and Albuquerque. These cities both earned an index score of 3.69. CareerBliss also compiled a less gloomy list: The Happiest Cities To Work In. If you're hoping to smile more at work, think about moving to Oklahoma City, San Jose or Syracuse. Those are three of the happiest places to work. But the happiest workers of all are in Miami. With an index score of 4.13, Miami employees said they are more than satisfied with the people they work with and their daily tasks. "This is the second year in a row that Miami is one of the CareerBliss' happiest cities to work in," Golledge says. "Miami's leading industries include tourism, international trade, and international banking. Over the last 12 months employees in the travel and leisure sector have had a large increase in overall happiness. This shift was apparent in our recent data on CareerBliss' 50 Happiest Companies in America, where we saw companies like Hilton Worldwide and Hyatt Hotels outrank technology ones such as Google. This trend appears to continue in Miami, where tourism continues to lead as the city's principal industry." Worcester, Mass., holds the No. 2 spot, closely followed by Oklahoma City, Okla. Both cities earned a 4.10 index score. "CareerBliss data found that the greatest influence on workplace happiness was the growth opportunities available within a city," Golledge says. "It is not a city's attractions or overall culture that truly affect employee happiness in a region. The overall growth opportunity and company culture lead to happy employees." Click here to see CareerBliss' complete lists of the happiest and unhappiest cities to work in. Read More @ Source 
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| Introduction To Subconscious Mind Power Techniques Posted: 19 Jan 2012 05:00 AM PST Article by Greg Frost One of the most complicated and hi-tech organ in human body is the brain. The more the medical fraternity studies about the mind the lesser we seem to know. Researchers have tried to untangle this complexity of mind and provide ways to use the brain to the maximum of its ability. This is not a secret that human beings use only a fraction of the total capacity of the brain. Broadly, a human mind can be divided into conscious and subconscious mind. The subconscious portion of human mind is the focus of the maximum research work. Very less is known about the exact functionality of the subconscious mind. But one thing is for sure, the subconscious mind carry answers to our all problems of life, starting form psychological, personal, financial and even spiritual. If we can understand how subconscious mind works and how it can be trained to suit our goals of life, then we can declare our battle as won. In this article we will unearth few subconscious mind power techniques to help the readers maximize the utilization of the brain. Albert Einstein commented once that most of the time people use less than 10% of their total mind. In order to utilize the balance 90% of our mind some careful and evaluated techniques will be discussed that will surely help the readers. It is very important to realize that the personality of a person decides how successful or unsuccessful he/she will be in life. A person with low self confidence and self esteem cannot stand very tall in life. A dishonest person or a person with negative mentality cannot lead a respected and happy life for a long time. The personality of people is greatly influenced by their habits. The habits of person are directly related with their personal experiences of life. What people see, hear and sense repeatedly gets imbedded in their subconscious mind which later translates into a habit. This is one reason why, a child is always taught the right things of life. Parents isolate the child from all negativity, at least till they reach 5 or 6 yea! rs of ag e. It is very important for a child to develop correct and good habits. Of course people reading this article are not children's and of course most them has acquired lot of bad habits. The most common of them are all related to health; people drink alcohol, take tobacco, eat fatty diets and never exercise to keep them fit. These habits have been picked up by people right from their child hood. Probably they have seen their friends, family members repeatedly following such bad habits and the same their subconscious have picked up. Yes it is true, our surroundings is totally responsible for what ever good or bad habits we carry. But what next; how to unlearn the old habits and develop a new one? This article has been written to give some valuable mind power techniques that will help to develop good habits in life. Most effective and fast acting subconscious mind power techniques are subliminal messaging. Subliminal communication allows the mind to be re-trained for new habits without conscious mind even being aware of the effort and hard work done by subconscious mind to develop a new habit. About the AuthorClick Here to get your Free 'Ultimate Success Unleashed' <ahref="http://www.chargedaudio.com"> subliminal cd and supercharge your success. Greg Frost is an authority in the subliminal industry for many years and has helped thousands of people worldwide to attain their dreams and goals. Lucid Dreaming and "Five Ways" Mindfulness Meditation ~ Shinzen Young 
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| Find Peace in the Buddhist Monasteries Posted: 19 Jan 2012 04:00 AM PST Article by htoindia Human nature is such that they always go after peace and tranquillity. Adventurous tours do not always work. There is a need at times to be close to God so that life goes on smoothly. The sacred aura near the temples or monasteries cannot be compared to anything in this world. The monasteries in Sikkim are some if the locations in India where you cannot resist but close your eyes and feel the God near you. Sikkim has an approximate of 200 monasteries (Gompas) divided in two orders called Nyingma and Kagyu. These monasteries still are the symbols of ancient ritual practices. On the top of that, their adornment with various frescoes of Buddhist legends and brocade Thangkas doubles its values. While you see all this, wide open your eyes for watching intricate wood work and the icons of silver and gold. In this particular Tour of India, the picturesque locations of all the monasteries in Sikkim are worth taking a look. All of them face towards east in the very direction of rising sun. They lie as high as the axis of the hill. The space of meditation is given primary importance and this is why all of them exist in the remote locations. The monasteries perform the double task of chapel as well as school. They are known by different names like 'Lhakhang' (God's house), 'Dukhang' (a meeting place) or 'Tsuglakhang' (an academy). The very atmosphere of monasteries along with Lamas robed in red makes you feel one with yourself as well as god. All the devotees are lost in the rhythm of drums and trumpets feeling closer with God. The 'Lhakhang' is the most blessed space of a monastery where the main image of the deity is enshrined. Its walls are decked with murals and 'thankas' paintings. How can a monastery be complete without libraries and books? A monastery without Kangyur and Tengyur is like a book without pages. In this India Tour, the sacred books of Buddhists are given a special preference. The interiors of these monasteries are as beautiful as they are themselves in s! tructure . Numerous musical instruments, thankas, mandalas, different poses of Buddha, masks, vajras, bells add to the beauty of the inside world of these monasteries. Each Buddhist can connect to these images and other objects because there is a story behind everything in these monasteries. The acclaimed ones are the images of the Buddha, the Bodhisatvas and the Taras. In the section called 'Lhakhang' and 'Dukhang', all the images are categorised in the carvings of bronze, gold and silver. About the AuthorHTO India provide something completely different, exciting, challenging, unusual and adventurous. India Tour Packages - Hidden Treasures of India, offering the Indian Tour Packages for the off the beat travel paths in India and its subcontinent. This India Tour is offering the personalized packages tour in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Tibet. 
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| Posted: 19 Jan 2012 03:00 AM PST Article by shibumi reiki association Zazen, which literally means sitting meditation, is a popular aspect of many Japanese spiritual practices. During the practices you "just sit" (shikantaza) and calm your mind so that you gain a deep understanding about the nature of your own mind. But how do you sit in zazen and what do you actually do once you're there? These are questions many people ask, so below is a link to a comprehensive explanation on how to practice zazen, including photo's on how to sit either in seiza or on a chair. One of the most important elements in zazen is your posture and your breathing.In many zazen practices you breathe from your hara (belly) - the center of your being - thus creating a feeling of being centered, open and yet grounded. Hara breathing is a major part of many traditional Japanese Reiki practices, like Joshin Kokyu ho and Seshin Toitsu for example. In Tendai Buddhism certain forms of zazen are also practiced including the Ceasing and Contemplation Meditation called Zazen Shikan Taza. This complete Tendai meditation can be found in the appendix of TheReiki Sourcebook of which the 2009 edition has been entirely revised, updated and expanded."The great Master Dogen said, "To study the Buddha Way is to study the self, to study the self is to forget the self, and to forget the self is to be enlightened by the ten thousand things." To be enlightened by the ten thousand things is to recognize the unity of the self and the ten thousand things. Upon his own enlightenment, Buddha was in seated meditation; Zen practice returns to the same seated meditation again and again. For two thousand five hundred years that meditation has continued, from generation to generation; it's the most important thing that has been passed on. It spread from India to China, to Japan, to other parts of Asia, and then finally to the West. It's a very simple practice. It's very easy to describe and very easy to follow. But like all other practices, it takes doing in order for it to happen." About the AuthorBronwen and Frans Stiene are the founders of the International House of Reiki and the Shibumi International Reiki Association. They have been a major influence on global research into the system of Reiki since the early 2000s. Their practical understanding of the Japanese influences on the system have allowed students around the world to connect deeply with this practise. The Essence of Zen 
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| Benefits Of Doing Yoga To Improve Your Meditation Posted: 19 Jan 2012 02:00 AM PST Article by Spiritual Now Editors It sometimes sounds confusing that Yoga can benefit you in meditation, as meditation is only a part of Yoga. However, in modern scenario, Yoga-Asanas are often referred to as Yoga in short and people often mean postures when they say that they are practicing Yoga for meditation. The basic benefit of Yoga-Asanas is to keep your body fit for the requirements of meditation. If you are not feeling well physically, you will find it hard to relax your mind and attaining the bliss that comes naturally with meditation. Body should work with the mind so that one can reach up to the level of soul, where the extreme bliss rests. Yoga meditation, or Meditation supplemented with Yoga-Asanas, is beneficial in making a firm foundation and keeping you intact along the path. Though one can run bare-footed, but sometimes one feels that the regularity can't be maintained. Shoes helps in providing that regularity. Yoga meditation is like that: one wears the shoes of Yoga-Asanas and can meditate effectively and regularly. We would also refer to this thing as Yoga here, and we will try to find out the benefits that one experiences from Yoga meditation. 1. Flexibility It is obvious that you are involved in continuous sitting for longer durations as you move with your practice of meditation. However, sometimes the body becomes very stiff and hinders your progress and regularity. Yoga meditation comes handy here, and can serve the purpose quite well. It gives your body the much needed flexibility to sustain the needs of meditation for long periods. Sometimes your vocation involves much physical work and you find it very hard to keep your body in optimal condition for meditation. Yoga meditation has almost proven benefits for such kind of situation, and once you do it, you will also realize the advantages that you gain. 2. Energy It is quite obvious that all types of exercises impart energy to your body, and Yoga meditation is no exception. When you spend time for Yoga and do the medita! tion the reafter, you feel energized to the extent that you will be able to keep your body in erect position, which is extremely important for meditation. Whether you sit for 10 minutes or for 1 hour, you will feel that your physical being is supporting the needs of your mental and spiritual beings. 3. Relaxation and Calmness Yoga meditation helps in getting deeper control on your mind, as you are able to feel your body quite easily. The muscles and joints are not causing any problem that can distract your mind. Yoga meditation helps in gaining body calmness that ultimately leads to mental calm. One can feel the body in a better way and can relax well, thus, initializing the founding steps of meditation. It goes without saying that if you are practicing meditation; you need to supplement it with Yoga. Yoga meditation can bring the results early and make them lasting. Yoga meditation will make you feel better physically, mentally, and spiritually, of course. About the AuthorSpiritual Now is a comprehensive guide to spiritual enlightenment and yoga meditation. Includes articles, audio, videos & interviews as well as an online spiritual community. 4 Yoga Poses to Reduce Belly Fat 
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| Does Stress Management Meditation Really Work? Posted: 19 Jan 2012 01:00 AM PST Article by Ray Miller Some people like me initially used to be very skeptical about the very concept of Stress Management Meditation! The question that crossed my mind like others is how can one possibly sit and concentrate when stressed out? However, seeing others experiencing relief and a positive change in life practicing Stress Management Meditation, made me change my perspective and rethink! There's no denying the fact that our mind is the first one to get affected under stressful conditions. The synchronization of our thoughts is disrupted whenever worries seep deep into our consciousness and starts controlling how we think. The solution that stress management meditation offers is learning the art of focusing all our energy to tell our mind to relax implementing the ancient skill of meditation. Meditation helps you to focus your mind on a single idea, letting everything disturbing just dissolve away to nothing. One such stress management meditation technique is the 'chakra meditation', which significantly helps in the development of energy and mind control, with the bonus of being highly effective in developing an individual's deeper consciousness. Here is a set of relaxation responses through natural, deep breaths towards the diaphragm. Find out how easily you can slide into a relaxation mode with these: 1. Breathe naturally and deeply-Remember, just inhale deeply, naturally, and slowly only through your nose as you perform each relaxation technique. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Feel the air being drawn deep into your lungs by your stomach muscles and diaphragm. 2. Position your back in an upright posture- This helps to keep you aware and awake, so that you gain control over your autonomic responses. 3. Relax your shoulders- Most people tend to tense their shoulders trying to sit or stand in an upright posture. Relax your shoulders to relax both sides of your neck. Tensed up shoulders lead to neck tension, and then tension in the head which result! s in hea daches and dizziness. 4. Hold your head up, but loosely- Keep your head upright, but feel as if it is floating. This allows improved circulation of fluids going to and from your head. 5. Relax vision- Focus as if you're gazing vacantly towards a distant horizon. Keep breathing deeply and naturally. For stress management meditation seek a peaceful place. You always have to start with a serene and solitary place for stress management meditation. So choose a location with the least amount of noise or even go camping out with nature! You can use scented candles, incense or oils that will help to induce your mind into a relaxed meditative state! About the AuthorWant to know about more Stress Coping Techniques that you can use everyday? Visit: http://www.stress-and-anxiety-help.com/top-stress-reduction-techniques OSHO: What Do You Say About Meditation? 
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| Posted: 19 Jan 2012 12:00 AM PST Article by Judith Rudd With our busy world today, everyone got to experience being stress. Stress is actually a psychological imbalance. According to Dr. Hans Selye, "it is the rate of all wear and tear caused by life" There is actually a positive stress and negative stress. Positive stress results to a situation when a person has the opportunity to achieve something in their life. Example of it is when a teenage girl gets to be very inspired and eager to go to school everyday because she knows she will see her crush in their classroom; she would do everything to make good grades so that the person she admire will notice her good performance. The thought that she was able to make good grades is a result of a positive stress. While negative stress is a common thing that most of us feel if we work for hours in the office, if we travel for how many hours, etc. Negative stress can result when a person has problems physically, emotionally, socially and many more. You would know if you are negatively stress if you experience headache, you cannot focus well on what you are doing, you are very irritable, your impatient, your heart palpitates fast with no reason and sometimes you feel like giving up everything and just want to end the day. I have read an article on how to manage stress. The author wrote, "Stress associated with busier than usual schedules and competing engagements can easily mount, making it difficult for people to find time to unwind, relax and regroup. Northwestern Integrative Medicine experts warn that over time, stress has a significant impact on health and well-being, making it important to find ways to manage tension before it manages you." "Stress can lead to sleep loss, chronic pain and feeling distracted," said Maggie Crowley, PsyD, health psychologist at Northwestern Integrative Medicine. "We all need to find ways to decompress both body and mind to regain a sense of ease and well-being." Fortunately, there are many ways to manage your stress. One good way is to experien! ce guide d meditations. "Through guided meditation, participants will learn the concepts of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, which includes elements of meditation and yoga. By becoming more aware of their stress, as well as the connection between the mind and body, participants can achieve balance in their lives." This form of managing stress proves to be an effective method to everyone. There are groups who offer you the best guided meditation. Make this as your daily routine, spare a little time in your busy lives everyday, and have a stress-free life! About the AuthorIf you want to manage your stress, there are guided meditations perfect for you. #02A High-Stress Bedtime Meditation (better sound) 
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| Are all religions essentially the same? Posted: 19 Jan 2012 12:00 AM PST I used to believe that underneath all the obvious differences between religions, there was a difficult-to-discern common core. Mysticism was what united Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Sikhism, and other faiths. God is One. Humans have, or rather are, a soul. It is possible for this soul-drop to merge into the One god-ocean. There. Three simple sentences. Forget all the complex divisive theologies. That's the oft-forgotten genuine essence of every religion: realizing that our true Self is, basically, the same as God. It was a nice belief. Warm and fuzzy. The Indian spiritual organization, Radha Soami Satsang Beas, that I was an active member of for over thirty years promulgated this creed in books that purported to show how Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Sikhism really were the same once the common mystical essence of each religion was recognized. And who was the recognizer of this amazing truth? As the old saying goes, you only get three guesses, and the first two don't count. Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB). That common mystical essence just happened to be exactly what the RSSB gurus and high-ranking devotees taught. If you were a Christian and thought you knew what Christianity is all about, you were mistaken. You needed to buy the RSSB books which explained what Jesus really meant in the New Testament. Ditto for Judaism, Islam, and Sikhism. To my knowledge Radha Soami Satsang Beas never has gotten around to showing how Buddhism and Taoism are akin to the RSSB teachings, probably because this would be such a stretch. In a fascinating piece, "Preventing holy wars, by consensus," David Chapman convincingly argues that this all religions are one notion is a load of crap. He focuses on how Consensus Buddhism gets this wrong, but his analysis pertains equally to anyone, including RSSB, who claims to know the common essence of all religions. If all religions are essentially the same, what is it that is the same about them? This is a question advocates of the "brotherhood of all religions" would rather skate over. When pressed, they usually produce one of two answers:
Both of these are factually false. ...Almost no one agrees that your True Self is God The only major religion that says your True Self is God is Hinduism—and only some Hindu sects. Nevertheless, the idea that this is the essence of all religions—which are therefore all really the same—is increasingly popular in the West. This is called "Perennialism" by religious scholars. Perennialism is rejected by most prominent spokespeople for most religions. Perennialists need to argue that all these authorities are deluded about the nature of their own religions. A Perennialist knows The Truth about Islam, that it is really one path among many to becoming God. Most imams consider that the worst idea imaginable, but they don't really know anything about Islam. Since the essence of Islam is the mystical experience of becoming God, which the imams have lost, they are idiots and should be ignored. ...The third problem with "all religions are essentially the same" is that it has been, from its invention, a tool for totalitarian domination. Whoever gets to say what the "essence" is holds all religious power. This has been the strategy of American Consensus Buddhism: to define all alternatives out of existence by insisting on sameness. Read Chapman's entire essay. The comments on his piece also are interesting, including Chapman's responses to some criticisms. I'm a big fan of his open-minded, intelligent take on both Buddhism and religiosity in general. Check out my previous Chapman-related blog posts here, here, here, and here. 
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| Posted: 18 Jan 2012 11:00 PM PST Article by Brenda Williams Living in today's high tech world stresses our bodies in ways our ancestors never experienced. The stress may be job related or home related or both. No matter what the source, stress depletes our energy and lessens the quality of our life. Some people seek out unhealthy solutions to stress such as smoking, excessive use of alcohol, drugs, and over eating. While this may appear to temporarily lessen stress, over the long term it makes it worse. However there are healthy ways to deal with stress without resorting to prescription medications. One of these is meditation. Meditation is a relaxation technique, which brings the mind and body into a state of tranquility. Meditation has been practiced in Asia since ancient times. Meditation is cost less. It requires no equipment and can be done by anyone. All you need is a time commitment. First, you must detach yourself from your world. That means turn off your cell phone, unplug your land phone, and find a place where you can spend thirty to fifty minutes without anyone disturbing you. Then assume one of the meditation postures that is comfortable for you. If you decide to sit, sit in firm chair with an upright back. Have your feet together and flat on the floor. Your hands should rest on your lap. If you're sure you won't fall asleep you can lie down. Lie flat on your back with your hands resting by your side. You can also kneel or use a lotus position if you can relax in these positions. But some people may find them difficult. Once in position, begin to breathe deeply. Breathe in and out through your nose and keep your mouth closed. Breathe deeply and slowly. Starting with your toes, imagine them relaxing. Then proceed up your body, imaging each part feeling relaxed until your entire body is totally relaxed. Once your body is relaxed, imagine a beautiful place where you would enjoy being. It can be by a mountain stream, by the seashore, in a beautiful valley, wherever you would love to be. This ! place is full of beautiful trees, plants, and flowers. Interesting but friendly animals roam around. The breeze gently caresses your face. It is warm but not hot. It is the perfect place to be. Here you are safe. No one can hurt you. You can just sit and relax or you can roam around, touch the luxurious plants, smell the pretty flowers, wade in the water, and pet the gentle animals. Explore, listen, enjoy. This is your special place. You can return to it anytime you wish to. It will always be there waiting for you. In this special place you will always feel calm and relaxed. Once you have learned how to travel to your special place, you can do it any time you have the time. If you are bothered by a problem, going to your special place might bring a solution. It may take a little practice for you to learn to meditate in this way. If you encounter difficulties you can get help. If you live in an urban area, you will find many meditation classes available. But if there are no classes near you, you can always purchase books and tapes. The tapes are guided meditations. You simply find a quiet place, assume the meditative posture, and then follow the instructions on the tape. Meditation is not difficult to learn and it is a powerful stress buster. About the AuthorHealthy Drug Recovery Healthy Rehab 
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