How many times a day do you stop and ask yourself, “How can I afford not to meditate?” With countless health benefits backed by scientific research, it’s time to make the most of your “me time” and consider practicing daily meditation.
Meditation: More Than Just a Spiritual Practice
Though often regarded as an ancient spiritual practice, meditation has come a long way over the years. Today, many studies, including those from Harvard University, confirm the physical benefits of meditation. Just a few minutes of meditation each day can promote heart health, reduce stress, minimize pain, and even reverse damage at the DNA level. Furthermore, meditation acts as a way to quiet the mind, leaving you feeling centered and balanced amidst daily chaos.
The Simple Art of Meditation
To get started, all you need is a few minutes, a quiet space, and some basic guidance. Follow the steps below, brought to you by Dr. Luke Jih, director of the Golden Light Institute of Body Mind Advancement, to experience the powerful effects of meditation firsthand.
Getting Started: Sit Comfortably
Find a comfortable seated position, either on a chair or on the floor. Once you’re settled in, raise both arms from your sides with palms facing up until they meet above your head. Lower your palms in front of your heart and close your eyes. Invite any spiritual forces you believe in to join you in your meditation. Then, lower your hands, keeping your right palm on top of your left, facing up, in front of your belly button.
Inhale and Channel Your Energy
Take a deep breath, imagining that energy is flowing down through the top of your head. You may feel as if someone is rubbing your crown chakra. When you sense this energy at your crown chakra, visualize it moving down to your third eye—the center of intellectual power and creativity.
Move the Energy Through Your Chakras
Now, allow the energy to continue to flow down from your third eye to your throat chakra—the center of social and interpersonal communication. Keep moving the energy down to your heart chakra, responsible for love and compassion.
Next, guide the energy from your heart chakra to your solar plexus, located just above your stomach and below your ribcage. Your solar plexus is your emotional center. Take a moment to focus on this area, releasing any stress energy.
After that, move the energy from your solar plexus down to your perineum, the area between your anus and your sex organs. This chakra relates to sexual energy. Continue guiding the energy down to the base of your spine—your survival instinct’s center.
At this point, bring the energy from the spine’s base down through both legs to your knees and feet, connecting with Mother Earth. Feel the energy connecting your feet to the ground, and imagine yourself as a tree whose roots connect the earth’s energy to your body.
Connect Earth, Body, and Spiritual Energies
Once you’ve established a connection with the Earth’s energy, bring it up through your legs and to the base of your spine. From there, let the energy rise up your spine before reaching the top of your head, or crown chakra.
At this point, you’ve successfully connected the Earth’s energy, your body’s energy, and the energy of your spiritual sources all at the top of your head. Now, simply remain silent and allow yourself to be present with this energy flow. Feel your mind, body, and emotions become quiet and centered.
Consistency Is Key: Find Stability in Your Life
Practicing this simple meditation routine for a few minutes every morning and evening can leave you feeling more peaceful, centered, and grounded throughout your life. As with any practice, consistency is key for optimal results, so do yourself a favor and carve out time to meditate daily. Your body and mind will thank you.
