“How do you meditate?” is a question I get asked a lot. Meditation baffles a lot of people; they always say “I can’t clear my mind!” or think they’re doing it incorrectly, no matter how they’re doing it.
There are many ways to meditate that can make it easier. One of them is Japa, or repetition of Mantra.
If your mind is full of thoughts, you can calm them by focusing on one thing, such as a repeated Mantra or affirmation. This gently guides the mind away from its constant stream of thoughts and onto one point. It’s even better when that point is a positive thought; a repeated thought or action creates a new neural pathway in the brain, and you’re more likely to bring that thought to mind.
A calm mind lowers the sympathetic nervous system (the “fight/flight” response) and lets the parasympathetic nervous system (the “peace” response) take over. This helps boost the immune system and lower the possibility of developing heart disease and other illnesses.
Give it a try. First, start with Deergha Swasaam Deep 3-Part Breathing. After a few moments, allow your breathing to find its own natural rhythm. Then, begin silently repeating a Mantra such as “I am a divine light” or similar affirmation for a few minutes. You can keep the meditation brief, about five minutes or so. You can also repeat throughout the day as needed.