Meditation - Yoga Style

[Sharon A. Kattke]

It is imperative that people, who are success oriented, meditate. Meditation is concentration with the focus on realizing one's true potential. It may start with concentrating on a candle flame, spiritual passage, or goal. The thing is that we have to slow down our racing thoughts, breathing, and other physical distractions.

To begin, lets sit in a crosslegged position on a mat or sit on a straight-backed chair. Keep your spine erect at all times. Place the palms of your hands, upturned, at the juncture of the thigh and abdomen. Keep your chin parallel to the ground and relax your shoulders. If in a chair, your feet are flat on the ground. You may drape silk or a woolen blanket on the floor to insulate you from earth's currents.

Begin to square your diaphragmatic breathing. That is breathe thru the nostrils to the count of 6, hold the breath for a count of 6, exhale through the mouth to a count of 6, hold the breath to a count of 6. And begin the cycle of squared breaths. Repeat 10 times. Finally exhale the breath through the mouth to a double exhalation and relax while breathing normally. Mentally watch the breath as it freely flows in and out of your lungs.  You should have a feeling of well-being.

Keep breathing in a relaxed manner. Continue your concentration at the point between the eyebrows. Feel yourself flowing with the breath. Keep your two physical eyes focused at the point between the eyebrows. This is the spiritual eye of man.Gently press your lids against the eyes to hold them in place and not wandering around. You may see a light surrounding you or colors. Perhaps a person. Continue to meditate for at least five minutes.  It is strongly suggested that your meditate morning and night. Try to add five or ten minutes to your meditation timing.

Namaste,

Sharon Kattke