Meditation can offer a wealth of physical and mental health benefits, and this natural wellbeing practice is something anyone can work on. Discover the keys to successful meditation in today's post, and learn all about the OS.ME community thanks to our special contributing author!
Looking to find calm in all the craziness? Meditation can be a huge help for minimizing stress, finding balance when emotions are running high, and becoming more confident in oneself. That's why Om Swami began the OS.ME community - to offer insightful guidance on how to practice selfcare and self awareness in this fast paced world.
So let's give a warm welcome to today's author and dive into meditation!
Keys to Successful Meditation: Start your journey with the OS.ME community
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How can you improve your sleep without medication, increase your optimism without relying on the attitudes of those around you, and reduce your anxiety without a visit to a therapist? The answer is found in meditation.
In this article, we’ll explore the top health benefits of meditation and discuss the 2 most popular meditation styles. Additionally, we will outline the 6 principles of meditation discipline and 3 signs of progress in a mediator’s journey to help you understand how to level up your practice.
The wisdom shared in this article is just a sneak peek into the expertise of the OS.ME online community - so get ready to be empowered to start your meditation journey today
When you use mindfulness techniques, you strengthen awareness and achieve mental and emotional stability through meditation. The benefits of meditation are numerous and extend beyond just promoting a healthy mental state.
In addition to reducing stress and anxiety, enhancing self-awareness, and lengthening attention span, meditation has been shown to improve emotional and physical health as well. Those who are committed to meditation reported increased optimism and more frequent expressions of gratitude. Also, from a physical health standpoint, studies have shown that meditation can help to control pain, lower blood pressure, and improve sleep.
What makes meditation even more special is that it can be done anywhere by anyone for any amount of time. There’s no need for equipment or a large block of time. All that meditation requires is you, a consistent quiet space, and your commitment.
Although, distancing yourself from your emotions, ridding your mind of thoughts, controlling your desires, and attempting to still your mind for even just a few minutes is not easy. Complete stabilization of the mind requires great skill and effort. True meditation is seemingly simple in concept, yet complex in practice.
Different styles of meditation have been used to help achieve an individual’s goals. The two most popular umbrella categories are focused-attention meditation and open-monitoring meditation.
Photo by Bekir Dönmez on Unsplash
Meditation Styles
Mantra meditation
Spiritual meditation
Breath-focused meditation
Sensory-focused meditation
Mindfulness meditation
Movement meditation
Progressive relaxation
Whether you choose one style and stick with it or explore a few different ones is up to you. But there are a few universal ways you can uplevel your practice, no matter which style you are using. The 6 principles of meditation discipline, which remind you to stay in the moment, and the 3 signs of progress, which can help re-energize your practice, are particularly helpful.
6 Principles of Meditation Discipline to Stay in the Present Moment
Recollection: Don’t pursue thoughts of the past.
Calculation: Don’t pursue thoughts of the present.
Imagination: Don’t imagine what may happen in the future.
Examination: Don’t analyze your thoughts.
Construction: Don’t try to create an experience.
Digression: Don’t wander.
3 Signs of Progress that can Re-Energize your Practice
Length of time
- How long can you sit peacefully?
- How long can you hold your concentration?
- How long can you be thoughtless?
- Can you pursue any chosen line of thought at will?
- How regular is your breathing?
- How are your reactions?
- Do you experience a higher state of consciousness?
- Higher state of consciousness: A perspective shift where you can rise above the pettiness of life
Photo by Jay Castor on Unsplash
Meditation is not easy and will demand mental exertion, but its rewards are unparalleled. Whether you commit to 20 minutes every day or 5 minutes every other day, the most important thing is that you are taking your practice seriously. Because when you commit to self-care, you are committing to being the best version of yourself. If the 6 principles of meditation discipline or 3 signs of progress seem daunting to you just remember that at its core meditation consists of 3 simple steps.
Breaking Down Meditation in its Simplest Terms
- Focus on your breathing
- Shift your attention to focus
- Self-correct: If a stray emotion or thought pops up simply acknowledge it and purposefully shift your attention away from it
The fact that meditation is a deep dive into finding and maintaining your personal peaceful place means each person’s experience with meditation is truly their own. Like with many other things in life it can be tempting to compare yourself and your skills to others. This toxic comparison is not only harmful to your practice but also unrealistic.
There are different styles of meditation that work for some, but not others. Each person has lived a different life filled to the brim with unique experiences, goals, and emotions. And some people have completed over 15,000 hours of meditation, while others have only completed 3 minutes. Simply put, your meditation journey is unlike any other.
While your meditation journey is unique, it should not be isolating. Especially because incorporating meditation into your routine and starting out can be daunting. One of the reasons Om Swami created the OS.ME online community was so that meditators and those who want to strengthen their commitment to self-care wouldn’t feel so alone.
Photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash
Members of the OS.ME community enjoy one of the only judgment-free spaces on the internet designed specifically for kind, positive people to come together and share their personal experiences related to self-development and mental health.
The platform empowers members to freely write about their experiences/progress and engage with and seek out advice from other members. Additionally, members can learn from Om Swami through his vast collection of articles and video content related to meditation, philosophy, relationships, and spirituality.
For meditators, being a member of the OS.ME online community is particularly valuable. Interacting with other members keeps you accountable and you can access the platform’s knowledge library at any time of the day. Furthermore, the safe environment created allows you to focus on progress, instead of worrying about what others may say.
Now is the time. You can join the 500 million meditators worldwide and rely on the support and expertise of the OS.ME online community.
Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
About the Author
OS.ME Online Community
The unique OS.ME online community focuses on empowering members to share their life experiences in one of the only judgment-free zones on the internet. The platform is also used to promote genuine connections over the web and share a wealth of knowledge related to mindfulness.
OS.ME Online Community Features:
Explore Om Swami’s wisdom on meditation, stories, and topics of interest
Access Om Swami’s exclusive video content and special event recordings
Share their own challenges, insight, and experience
Receive regular updates and short thought-provoking reads
Learn from others who share articles about their personal journeys
Gain access to the free hotline for emotional support
Engage in member comment treads and wisdom discussions
Access the OS.ME platform at any time on all devices
Read Om Swami’s eBook The Art of Meditation
Join the thoughtful and inspiring OS.ME online community of paid members, where you can focus on your self-care and mental health in a safe online environment for just $2.99 per month. To explore the OS.ME platform for yourself and to learn more about a membership visit our website.
Websites: OS.ME Online Community & More about Om Swami
Explore Om Swami’s wisdom on meditation, stories, and topics of interest
Access Om Swami’s exclusive video content and special event recordings
Share their own challenges, insight, and experience
Receive regular updates and short thought-provoking reads
Learn from others who share articles about their personal journeys
Gain access to the free hotline for emotional support
Engage in member comment treads and wisdom discussions
Access the OS.ME platform at any time on all devices
Read Om Swami’s eBook The Art of Meditation
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