Q.  Where can I meditate?

You can actually mediate anywhere you like; anytime you like.  In a park; on your balcony; on a plane or even on the roof of a building!  Where you mediate is not as important as the fact that you are consciously choosing to improve your health and overall Spiritual wellbeing.

Q. What should we think about when we meditate?

Nothing. We already think too much as it is so why think even more during meditation!

Q. How should one meditate?

You should meditate the way that feels "right" for you. Forget about this method and that technique - you know yourself better than anyone else. 

As such, if it feels right and you can recognize a positive difference in your overall well-being, then keep doing what you're doing. 

If it doesn't feel right, then by all means try a different technique or find yourself a teacher to guide you through the transition period from that of learner to seasoned practitioner. 

Q.        How long should I mediate for?

It is good to do meditation for 15 minutes every day for a week and then extend the time by 5 minutes each week until you are meditating for around 45 minutes at a time.

After a few weeks of regular daily meditation you will start to notice that your concentration gets better; there are less thoughts and distractions, and you will have real moments of peace and stillness. 

People who have mediated for any length of time can pretty much meditate any time they like but for beginners, it is a good idea to stick to a set time each day until you fully get the hang of what it's all about. 

As to how often you meditate, that is entirely up to you.  Some people meditate daily, others weekly and yet others on a monthly basis.  But like most things in life, the more you do it (within reason) the better it is for you.

Q.        Do I need a teacher to learn how to meditate properly?

A teacher is not really necessary but guidance from someone who is familiar with mediation can be helpful; especially for beginners.

Try to find a teacher who has a good reputation, a balanced personality and enjoys teaching the subject matter.

Q. Is meditation important?

Absolutely!  The many benefits that accompany regular practice of it speak for themselves on 3 definitive yet very different levels: emotional, physical and spiritual.  However, if you think of these things as being unimportant in your life; then perhaps meditation is not for you.

Q. Is it true that psychiatrists & psychologists often suggest meditation to their clients?

Yes, it is. Meditation is now accepted as having a highly therapeutic effect upon the mind and is used by many professional mental health workers to help induce relaxation, overcome phobias and bring about self-awareness. No small wonder really when you.

Q. How to concentrate properly.  I've been trying to meditate for a while now but I haven't been able to concentrate and, when I do, I'm not really sure if I am in the state of meditation or not. I need to know if I'm doing it right.

This is a common concern for people new to meditation.  The truth is, it's best no expect too much from yourself to start with; or to expect to be able to for long initially as this very rarely happens.  After all, you are just beginning and it's natural for your mind to wander a lot.

Try to accept that this is ok. Don't worry, it gets easier the more you mediate.  Have a little patience and trust that all will work out exactly the way you want it to eventually.

A lot of people get all airy; fairy when it comes to meditation.  More often than not trying to complicate a very simple subject matter; into something a lot more complex than it ever need be.  The reality is that the world we live in stinks - thanks in no small part to the negative energy that permeates the ether on this plane, and partly because of the way a lot of people think, act and behave as they go about their day.  Because of this, we all feel a need to shower or bathe each day to try and wash away this negativity that we all sense on a deeper, subconscious level without actually giving it any cognizant thought.  Sadly though, all we're really doing is removing this negativity on a superficial level.  A great deal of it remains behind on a mental, psychological and spiritual level that can only be properly cleansed through meditation.

There are of course a great many other benefits that accompany meditation such as promoting optimum well-being, lowering blood pressure, balancing the bodies meridian lines (invisible Ying and Yang energies), the 7 major energy centres (chakras) increased air flow to the lungs and a multitude of other things that would take me forever to list but exist all the same.  The main point I'm trying to make though, is that it's a really cool thing for us to do on a regular, if not daily, basis.

But be mindful of the fact that there are as many techniques and types of meditation out there as there are places in the world to live.  These include, but are not limited to, concentrative; relaxation; contemplative and absorption techniques. So, you really do owe it to yourself to discover which one best suits your own individual needs before settling for any one particular type.  After all, much like clothing, one size does not fit all. 

It's also worth noting that more and more doctors these days are prescribing meditation to their growing number of patients quite simply because of the many benefits that are associated with it.  More so given the fact that the benefits of meditation have been scientifically proven as being measurable; meaningful and quantifiable.  But that's not the reason I meditate, I mediate as a way of connecting with the divine.

I do this by silencing the cackle all around me through balancing my chakras, focusing my intent and silencing my mind to outside influences. Simply by applying the principles I adhere to when I meditate.  It's not the same for everyone so worry not.  Do what feels "right" for you and I'm sure you'll derive as much, if not more, benefit from the process as I do.  Once in that state of being, I find it a lot easier to access the universal frequencies that surround us all.  So I think the best way to describe meditation from my point of view then is more like a sort of Spiritual antenna that allows me to receive more clearly the frequencies of my Spirit guide Adelioux, the Lords of Light and other elementals that are around us.  Ever eager to share their insights, wisdom and knowledge with all that seek it for the greater good of mankind.

Okay, now that we've got the question of what is meditation out of the way - let's briefly explain how you yourself can go about experiencing some of these many benefits that are associated with it for yourself.  The first thing you will need to do is find a quiet place that allows you to feel at ease, relaxed and slightly more at one with yourself simply by being in that particular space.  Somewhere like your bedroom perhaps.  Make sure that you have removed all distractions such as mobile phones, ticking clocks and what not so that these are not able to distract you as enter a deep state of relaxation. 

It might be wise at this point to remind those closest to you not to disturb you for a time as there is nothing worse than being interrupted half way through a meditation.  Then either sit down comfortably in a chair with your back straight and your hands on your knees facing upwards.  Alternatively, you could lie down on a sofa or bed (which is what I prefer to do) and keep your hands by your sides to help the flow of energy around your etheric body.  I quite often place crystals on the various charka points that I am working on as well, but this is not a necessity either.

Remember at this stage to be slightly more mindful of your breathing that you would do normally.  After all, good breathing affects your state of mind and really does help you form a calm and peaceful sense of overall well-being. Take 4 or 5 deep breaths to begin with and make a point of slowly inhaling and exhaling each breath you take. Deep breathing helps slow the heart down; takes any unnecessary pressure away - whilst simultaneously relaxing the muscles of your body.

Then, simply calm your mind and settle your thoughts.  I do this with the aid of some soothing music but you can quite as easily do this in silence if you wish - as meditation is very much a personal experience and, as such, there are no hard and fast rules for you to adhere to.  Merely listen to your inner voice and let it direct you to what will work best for you.  Unless, of course, you opt for a more stringent mediation method that requires you to sit in a certain pose or breathe in a certain way.

I personally work through my seven charkas (both up and down) to restore balance to each in sequential order from the root to crown and then spend some quality "silence" time after my mediation taking in what has transpired during the session.  Such as what colours did I see with my mind's eye; what messages or direction I was given and what significance - if any - these had for me at such time.  

That's really meditation at it most simple.  I'm sure lots of people out there will do it differently or have other thoughts on the matter, but if all you are looking for is an understanding of the basics then this should help you accomplish that.  That said, I've included some commonly asked questions on either side of this page for your information and hope that they too prove of some help to you in answering any questions or reservations you may have about the wonderful self-improvement tool of mediation.

(C) www.adelioux.com 2010

I love myself because…..
I am exactly who I was born to be.

I love myself because…..
I am a unique expression of the divine.

I love myself because…..
I learn and grow from all of my mistakes; both large and small.

I love myself because…..
I am grateful to be an intricate part of the world around me.

I love myself because…..
I am surrounded - at all times - by love, light and protection.

I love myself because…..
I find joy in all that I do.

I love myself because…..
Of the wonderful people that I meet as I go about my day!

I love myself because…..
Blessings pour over me like water as a matter of course.

I love myself because…..
I am connected to the divine source of all that is.

I love myself because…..
It's such and amazing feeling to feel the way I do.

I love myself because…..
I am a work in progress and, as such, have no need to get things "right: all the time.

I love myself because…..
I see exquisite beauty in the small things that most people take for granted.

I love myself because…..
I make time to go "within" each day.

I love myself because…..
My experiences - both good and bad - help shape the person I am lovingly becoming.

I love myself because…..
I am a reflection of the almighty in but one of his many glorious forms.

I love myself because…..
Quite simply, it feels like the right thing to do!


© Charles Anthony McFaulds

In and out!  Now your mind moves to the centre of your belly as you imagine a huge smiley face sun shining down on your belly where an egg is being cooked on top of it.  How cool is that? Belly good!

As you like listening to the sound of the waves your mind moves to your bellow button as you imagine the colour orange in your mind as you breathe in and out, in and out.  Wow, this is such a cool feeling.  You haven't felt this good in such a long time.

In and out!  Now your mind moves to the centre of your belly as you imagine a huge smiley face sun shining down on your belly where an egg is being cooked on top of it.  How cool is that? Great isn't it!

Enjoy the relaxed feeling as you listen to the egg sizzle on your belly filling you with cool special powers such as an amazing memory and super cool math skills.  No problem is too difficult to solve and all homework is fun.  Amazing, even Spiderman and Superman aren't as cool as you now.

Okay, continue to listen to the sound of the waves.  In and out, in and out!  Now you hear the sound of the wind and as you do you feel it is time to go back home.

That's right!  Now, get up from the towel and walk back towards the door you came through to get here.  Feeling happy and relaxed as you do!  Wow, so cool and friendly.

Keep listening to the sound of my voice as I count up from 1 to ten.  One, two, three, starting to wake up and energize, four, five six, full of energy and life, seven, eight, nine, such a great feel and 10; open your eyes.  Open your eyes.  Stretch your arms and close your fingers then sit up.

Notice how you are now full of wonderful new energy and can go about your day in a happy and loving way or, you can just as easily fall asleep right now and wake up in the morning instead - full of energy and promise!

Okay, we're going to go an a wonderful new adventure.

The only thing is, that instead of hopping on a plane, or jumping in a car, our cool adventure takes place within in our minds.  That's right; a magical place inside our mind simply by thinking of it with our thoughts.  How cool is that?

Okay, let's start by finding somewhere cool to lie down on the floor with a little pillow under our head.  That's right, lay down on your back and open your arms and hands so that they hang lose and free by the sides of your legs.  Cool!

Now you're going to close your eyes and count down from 10 to 1 in your mind.  As you do you relax deeper and deeper as if falling though a delicious wall of lime green Jello that tastes of strawberry ice cream and chocolate chip cookies both at the same time.

(softly) Ten, nine, eight, so relaxed, so happy, seven, six, deeper, five, four, soft as feather, three, two, one so relaxed and happy.

Now, with your eyes still closed walk through an open door in your mind onto the beach, on a warm, fun, sunny day.

In your mind, just feel yourself standing still for a moment as you look around you.  As you watch the waves sway to and fro, you feel so happy and relaxed.  Life is great, wonderful, happy and relaxed.

Now you see a bright red towel on the sand with you name written on it.  That's right, go on over and lie down on it as the sun shines happily above your head.  This is such a cool beach to be on and you can do whatever you want.

As you like listening to the sound of the waves your mind moves to your bellow button as you imagine the colour orange in your mind as you breathe in and out, in and out.  Wow, this is such a cool feeling.  You haven't felt this good in such a long time.