[Rainbow Light]

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[Rainbow Light]

For anyone new to ELC please find general guidelines to meditation practice

GENERAL INFORMATION

What is meditation?
There are many types of meditation. The one definition that fits almost all types is..."Consciously directing your attention to alter your state of consciousness."

There's no limit to the things you can direct your attention toward... symbols, sounds, colors, breath, uplifting thoughts, spiritual realms, etc. Meditation is simply about attention... where you direct it, and how it alters your consciousness.

What is the purpose of meditation?
Traditionally meditation was (and still is) used for spiritual growth...i.e. becoming more conscious; unfolding our inner Light, Love, & Wisdom; becoming more aware of the guiding Presence in our lives; accelerating our journey home to our True Self... our Spirit.

More recently, meditation has become a valuable tool for finding a peaceful oasis of relaxation and stress relief in a demanding, fast-paced world.

Other uses include:
Healing
Emotional cleansing & balancing
Deepening concentration & insight
Manifesting change
Developing intuition
Unlocking creativity
Exploring higher realities
Finding inner guidance



General Guidelines for Meditation

Put your expectations aside, and don't worry about doing it right. There are infinite possibilities and no fixed criterion for determining right meditation. There are, however, a few things to avoid.
They are...

Trying to force something to happen.
Over-analyzing the meditation.
Trying to make your mind blank or chase thoughts away.
Putting too much emphasis on doing it right.



It's not necessary - or advisable - to meditate on a completely empty stomach. If you're hungry, have a little something to eat before meditating.


Find a quiet, comfortable place to meditate. You can sit in a comfortable chair, on the bed, on the floor... anywhere that's comfortable. It's not necessary to sit cross-legged. Your legs can be in any position that is comfortable.


Eliminate as much noise and as many potential distractions as possible. Don't worry about those things that you can not control.


When you sit to meditate, sit comfortably, with your spine reasonably straight. This allows the spiritual energy to flow freely up the spine, which is an important aspect of meditation. Leaning against a chair back, a wall, headboard, etc. is perfectly all right. If, for physical reasons, you can't sit up, lay flat on your back.


Place your hands in any position that is comfortable.


If it does not go against your beliefs, call on a "higher source" for assistance in your meditation. Any form is all right. This can be quite helpful, but is not absolutely necessary.



Some Misconceptions about Meditation
Misconception #1. Meditation is turning off your thoughts or making your mind a blank.

Not True ...Inner quietness is experienced in meditation, but not by willfully turning off thoughts. Quieting the mind results naturally from:
the effectiveness of the method used... and
an uplifting spiritual energy that is beyond our own efforts.
Misconception #2. Meditation is difficult and requires great concentration.

Not True ...Meditation can be easily learned and practiced. Meditation is only difficult if we become too concerned with doing it correctly or incorrectly. Although staying focussed in meditation does become easier with time and practice, it is definitely not a requirement for beginning to meditate. Thinking that we should be good at focussing when first starting out, is essentially putting the cart before the horse.

Misconception #3. Meditation is not successful unless we see interesting things in our mind.

Not True...Although some meditations are specifically for visualizing, many are not. In those meditations, seeing things may be entertaining, but is not essential. Even visualization does not necessarily require seeing. Some people sense or feel things inwardly, and that's all right.


Getting Started
If you wish to begin an ongoing meditation practice, here's what I suggest you do to get started...

First, read the General Guidelines and Misconceptions in this room. Next read the material in the FAQs Room. And then read the 8 Important Points for Making Meditation Easy & Enjoyable. This will provide you with all the necessary tips and info for getting started.

Then try one of these two "core meditations"...
The Inner Light Meditation or Mindfulness Meditation.
(Or you can try both, and then continue with whichever one you like best.)
These are both very easy and effective and produce a broad range of results.

When beginning your meditation practice, the most important thing to remember, is to approach meditation with "relaxed effort," and not to be concerned about doing it right, or about what is supposed to happen when you meditate.

Just follow the simple steps, and allow for whatever you experience. If you follow these guidelines, you will find meditation to be easy and enjoyable, and you will start noticing positive results in your life.
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[MaryInTheMorning]

Thank you so much Sue for posting this very helpful information for all to see and benefit from.

[Rainbow Light]

OK, you're welcome! Will be great if can benefit and be of help to anyone here!
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[Rainbow Light]

Bringing this back around for anyone who may have missed earlier
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[Ka´rala]

[Rainbow Light]

You're welcome, sweet lady!
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[MaryInTheMorning]

Sweet Ka'rala thank you so much for bringing back around El'vis' guidance about Meditation that he sent through our dear Maia.

[Ka´rala]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=280fvcArLi0



LOVE
Carola


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My Never ENDING LOVE for YOU
Carola


http://www.youtube.com/user/thebluebutterfly4u

"DREAMS COME TRUE in BLUE HAWAII"

[Rainbow Light]

Beautiful link, Ka'rala! Many thanks for posting!
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Seeks to encourage and inspire!

[Ka´rala]

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My Never ENDING LOVE for YOU
Carola


http://www.youtube.com/user/thebluebutterfly4u

"DREAMS COME TRUE in BLUE HAWAII"

[Golden Sky]

I want to thank you, too, for bring this up again Sue! I never saw it before. I will try and see how my weaknesses and strengths are joined, but it all seems like a big muddle in my mind now. I'll find a quiet time to think more deeply on it, and hopefully gain some lasting insight. Elvis said he'd help, so I'll be sure to give him the credit when it works.



Love to you all,
Trish

[MaryInTheMorning]

My thanks to you also Ka'rala my dear friend for posting the link to this beautiful song for us!! You are right dear Trish--Elvis will most definitely help you out!!

[Rainbow Light]

You're welcome Trish for my bringing the thread back up and all the very best to you!
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