Saturday, February 28, 2009

Meditation - An Effective Weapon Against Anxiety and Panic

By Stephen Jablonski

A simple description of meditation would be to say it's a technique we can use to focus our attention away from the random thoughts that fill our daily lives and onto the truly meaningful parts of our lives. Through meditation, one can achieve great tranquility. This tranquility is very useful to us as we fight against the stress, anxiety, and panic that face us every day.

And while the tranquility meditation offers us is a powerful tool, it is also a tool that goes widely un-used. That's because a lot of people are intimidated by meditation. They think it takes years of "monastery training." Or they think you need to have a natural talent for it. But that's not true of meditation at all.

Basically, meditation is extremely simple to begin. You don't need a lot of time, and you don't need much more than a quiet place to practice. Then, once you've gone through a short session or two, you'll actually begin feeling the benefits. It's actually pretty remarkable.

When beginning something new, it's always best to have some guidance. That's why I suggest starting out with a meditation class if you can. There are usually some great beginning classes available through your local YMCA or other community organizations. They're a great low-cost way to get started.

There are also plenty of books on meditation in your local library or bookstore. A good, short book can give you the basics and get you started quickly. It can also give you more background on the art of meditation. What books can't do though is give you any strong feedback with your practice. It's for that reason that I'd recommend more than just a book.

Audio CDs and DVDs are an excellent way to get started with meditation. They provide more guidance by actually leading you into and through each meditation session. This gives you a more "full-bodied" experience and leads to a deeper practice and understanding which leads to more anxiety relief benefits.

Breathing meditations are the usual first meditations learned by beginners. These are easy to learn and they give you a quick understanding of what meditation feels like. Depending on your desire, you can move into more advanced forms of meditating like full-body meditations or conceptual or emotional meditations. The more time you spend in meditation, the more tranquility you feel.

The practice of meditation is a very old and studied art. It's been around for 1,000's of years because it yields real benefits. It's a truly effective method for dealing with stress, anxiety, and even panic attacks. So I'd recommend that you give it a try. After all, it's easy to do, doesn't cost much, and it could mean a great difference in your life. - 15343

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