The Garrison Institute’s Post

21st May, The #WorldMeditationDay How to celebrate World Meditation Day Celebrating World Meditation Day is best done by setting some time aside for yourself to clear your mind and relax. How meditation looks can vary broadly from person to person, with some preferring physical activity accompanying their practice (often Yoga or other exercise-oriented activities) while others prefer to sit and take their ease. For your own World Meditation Day celebration, find a place where you feel at ease and relaxed, whether that’s in the bath, at the gym, or even overlooking a natural environment like the ocean or forest. Then simply put yourself in a comfortable position, close your eyes, breathing steadily, and let all thoughts wander clear from your mind. If you’ve never tried to meditate before then it can be difficult to clear wandering thoughts from your mind and you may benefit from trying a guided meditation tutorial in which an experienced individual will gently talk you through the process. Whichever way you choose to celebrate World Meditation Day, just remember that Meditation is most beneficial when practiced regularly, so why not set yourself a reminder to meditate once a day, every day for the rest of the week, and see how you feel. Text from: https://lnkd.in/gnuXcEJj

Elevating Serenity: Embracing Aromatherapy for Enhanced Meditation Welcome to the world of elevated meditation! In this article, we’ll explore the... The post Enhance Your Meditation Using Aromatherapy Diffusers and the Power of Scent appeared first on Free Meditation Sessions Singapore.

REACH THE PEAK OF LIFE To what extent can meditation take you? What kind of experiential states can be attained through it? According to various contemplative traditions, the ultimate state of meditation is known as samadhi - a state of complete self-mastery and revelation. The definition of samadhi varies across different traditions, but according to the Yogic and Vedic traditions, it is a state of absorption. There are multiple levels of samadhi, but they all share a few common features. Firstly, there is a complete and uninterrupted union of consciousness with the object of meditation. The self and object merge into one, without any duality. As one progresses deeper into the practise, the object of meditation may even disappear or become more subtle, leading to a more profound level of samadhi. Secondly, there is a complete and continuous stillness of the mind, devoid of any thoughts, memories, or images. This state of mind can persist for several minutes or even hours, during which one may lose all sense of the environment and their physical body. Even if someone were to call out their name, they may not register it. In this state, consciousness is temporarily freed from the limitations of the physical body and yet remains fully aware. Thirdly, in samadhi, the individuality or ego is no longer functioning. This allows for a deep purification of the conscious and unconscious mind, leading to a transformational experience. It's worth noting that while samadhi is the culmination of practices in meditation, it is not equivalent to enlightenment. Instead, it serves as a tool or practice to achieve that ultimate goal. While it's possible to experience the benefits of meditation without attaining samadhi, it's still essential to understand its potential. Achieving samadhi is a highly ambitious aim, and some meditation teachers either downplay its significance or present it in more achievable terms. Ultimately, it serves as a guiding direction and source of inspiration for one's meditation practice. As one progresses through the different levels of samadhi, the objects and mental states become increasingly subtle, leading to a deeper and more profound meditative experience. Website: www.plus44.info #meditation #stressmanagement #mentalhealth #wellbeing #relaxation #handbook

Visualization Meditation Practice Isn't it true that you've run into roadblocks in your visualization meditation practice? I certainly have, but I persevered and discovered solutions to overcome all of my obstacles. But, because I had no practical instruction, my progress took longer than it should have. That's why I'm going to offer some of my favourite visual meditation techniques right now. #howtodovisualization #visualizationexercises #visualizationmeditation #visualizationtechniques

Transform Your Meditation Practice with the Ultimate Luxury Cushion Experience Meditation is a journey, not a destination. It’s a path... The post Unwind in Style: Creating Your Ideal Meditation Space with Luxury Cushions appeared first on Free Meditation Classes.

Unveiling the Serenity of White: Why Meditation Garb Matters ✨ Have you ever wondered why white is such a popular color for meditation clothing? It's more than just aesthetics! White holds deep meaning in the world of meditation, symbolizing purity, clarity, and the journey toward inner peace. https://lnkd.in/dw9ArqE6 Join us as we explore the significance of white meditation garb! #meditation #mindfulness #whitevibes Origins & Symbolism * Wearing white during meditation has roots in various cultures and spiritual practices. In Hinduism and Buddhism, white signifies purity and transcendence, making it ideal for those seeking enlightenment. ️ In the West, white meditation clothing has gained popularity alongside mindfulness practices. It creates a calming environment for inner exploration and self-discovery. ✨ Benefits Beyond Symbolism ✨ White meditation garb offers practical advantages too! Comfort & Ease: Light and airy fabrics allow for comfortable sitting or lying during meditation. Focus & Clarity: White reflects light, creating a sense of spaciousness and serenity in your meditation space. Inner Purification: In some traditions, white is associated with cleansing rituals, helping remove negativity and promote inner purity. A Unifying Force * White meditation garb transcends cultures and religions, becoming a symbol of harmony and interconnectedness among practitioners. No matter your background, white unites you with others seeking inner peace and spiritual growth. ️ Do you wear white while meditating? Share your experiences in the comments below! #meditationcommunity P.S. Check out our latest blog post for a deeper dive into "The Power of Yoga Breathing: Uniting Mind and Body"

India's Gift to the World: UN Declares December 21 World Meditation Day India is the birthplace of meditation, with its roots stretching back thousands of years. The practice has been an integral part of India's rich spiritual and philosophical heritage, influencing the world through texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and the teachings of sages like Buddha and Patanjali. Meditation in India has traditionally been viewed as a tool for self-realization, spiritual awakening, and liberation from the cycle of suffering. Central to these teachings are practices like dhyana (meditative focus), pranayama (breathing exercises), and yoga, which together form a holistic approach to mind-body wellness. These practices have spread across the globe, with many cultures adapting and incorporating them into their own wellness practices. Today, the UN’s recognition of December 21 as World Meditation Day further reinforces the global importance of these traditions, acknowledging their profound positive impact on humanity. How to Celebrate World Meditation Day? World Meditation Day is an opportunity for individuals to embrace meditation, whether for the first time or as a part of their regular practice. Here are some ways to observe this meaningful day: Take Time to Meditate: Set aside a few minutes or longer to meditate on December 21. Find a quiet, peaceful spot where you can sit comfortably and focus on your breath, a mantra, or a simple body scan. Join Global Meditation Events: Many organizations and groups around the world host virtual or in-person meditation events on this day. Joining one of these events can create a sense of community and amplify the positive energy generated by meditation. Practice Group Meditation: If you are part of a community, invite others to meditate together. Group meditation can amplify the benefits of the practice, fostering a sense of collective peace. Promote Meditation in Your Community: Raise awareness about the benefits of meditation by sharing resources, articles, and videos on social media, or organizing local events to introduce others to meditation. Meditate for Peace: Use the day as an opportunity to reflect on how meditation can contribute to greater peace and harmony in the world. Consider focusing your meditation on sending positive energy and compassion to those in need. #WorldMeditationDay #MeditationForPeace #MindfulnessMatters #MeditationPractice #InnerPeace #WellbeingAtWork

There’s no need to fear meditation or worry about practicing it the “wrong way” Meditation is in the being. Any time you are truly being, you are opening yourself to meditation. Those few quiet moments with your coffee, tea, and/or water. The walk you’re about to take where you let your mind wander. The board game night with your kids where you’re so present, you can communicate with your inner-child clearly. Your fitness routine where it’s you, the machine, and the music. When you’re breathing deeply on your run. When you’re breathing easily while you practice Tai Chi and Qi Gong in the park. The 60 seconds to 6 hours you spend in seated meditation. Meditation has a lot less rules than the modern world can make it out to be. Stay present with what’s happening within and around you - and you’re golden. Whether it’s seconds or hours, whatever excites you! Not everyone is built to be a monk or a yoga instructor. We all have different paths that we are becoming within. What’s your favorite way to BE? P.S. I have done LOTS of FREE meditations, which you can enjoy many places, including on my FREEBIES PAGE on my site. Checkout my favorite in the comments.⬇️

I often hear people wanting to learn meditation as a way to calm and regulate their mind. However, according to yoga philosophy and practice a reasonably calm and regulated mind is a pre-requisite for placing one's attention on something for a longish duration (the word for this is dharana). And dhyana (or meditation) happens as this process deepens over time! Contrary to popular belief that meditation is the answer to a disturbed mind, a disturbed mind needs to be regulated/anchored before being able to meditate. Read more on the obstacles to anchor the mind and the way to do so in the tradition of yoga as taught by T.Krishnamacarya and T.K.V Desikachar in this post.

Meditation can feel like some starry-eyed thing that monks do on mountaintops or wealthy people in San Francisco do at the end of hot yoga class. And it can be those things. It can also be the always-available tool that helps us notice more of life, including the seemingly-contradictory aspects that: 1. Most of life is pretty mundane. (That is, we're almost always feeling discomfort around something that already happened - the past - or something we anticipate - the future.) 2. Most moment contain the opportunity to connect with awe. (That is, the very-alive feeling of being in wonder at things like the wisdom of children, how the internet works, that our bodies have countless systems that keep us alive without just about no effort on our part.) My latest blog post includes a few more reflections on meditation plus some resources to get you going. My favorite, which you'll find at the very bottom, is a 6:30 LovingKindness meditation put out by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. How lovely is that? Wishing you all ease in your holidays and always, whatever else is also in the mix! #strongertogether #biggerbadder #meditation #mindfulness https://lnkd.in/eBTmwryV