Mindfulness Meditation

Meditation is something that is often understood. Many people think it is somehow mystical or unscientific. In fact, meditation is simply a term describing a range of different practices each with a single purpose and effect: to train and exercise focus. The meditation many people know of is transcendental meditation. Here, practitioners sit in the lotus position and simply focus on a single “mantra” such as a hum or a word. The result? You completely clear your mind and thus learn to rise “above” the many petty concerns that previously made you stressed and unhappy.

Likewise, religious meditation means doing the same thing – focusing on a passage of religious text or a prayer. In tai chi (moving meditation) the focus is on the body. However you do it, the main objective is to direct the mind and to avoid letting thoughts and feelings bog you down. Mindfulness can also be practiced as a form of meditation. Here, you don’t try to empty your mind but just focus on the contents of your thoughts, without letting them affect you.

This is useful for CBT and cognitive restructuring as described in this book. But all types of meditation have one more powerful effect: they help you to decide WHAT to focus on and HOW to feel.

That means that the next time you find yourself feeling absolutely crushed by the weight of the world, you can simply decide to ignore the negative voice in your ear and to focus instead on the positive affirmations around your home, and how great you look in that suit.

All the other changes we’ve made in this book become FAR more powerful once you gain control of your focus and your thoughts. When we direct our attention, we tell our brains what is important, and what is accurate. As a result, we are able to trigger physical alterations in our brains, that can eliminate negative, limiting beliefs and help to make us into smarter, happier, and more

confident versions of ourselves!

Relax, meditate and try any of our recommended yoga class at www.yogaomalaska.com/schedule.