Meditation benefits to the mind

• You should feel comfortable in the clothes you are wearing as well as in chosen position.
• It is recommended to do some Asanas and Pranayamas before you start with meditation
• Empty your mind of all thoughts

Just as there are many styles of yoga there are many ways to meditate. There are a lot of forms of meditation but these are the basics ones:

1.  Pick something to focus on

The first stage of meditation is to choose something to focus on, like an object or a thing, with the eyes either opened or closed. You can focus on your breath or a word that you repeat verbally or mentally. Pray or chant, visualizing an image such as a divinity, or focusing on an object such as a lighted candle.  In some forms of meditation this is called a mantra. It can also be a sensation that you feel in your body.

2.  Sit quietly

Pick a quiet place and sit comfortably. When our thoughts start to wander, we take them back to our object of focus.  It is not easy to make the mind quiet. Whenever you find yourself thinking of something else, don’t fight, just recognize it and let it pass. Meditation is not about hiding our thoughts or restraining them.

3.   Assume a passive attitude

During Meditation, ignore all irrelevant thoughts and sensations. Meditation doesn’t take us to another place of existence. We remain at the same place and we are still able to hear people around us. It is important not to let these distract us.

4.  Continue for ten to twenty minutes

Don’t set an alarm clock. Sit where you can see a clock and glance at it from time-to-time if you wish.

At the beginning it can feel uncomfortable sitting and meditating for 20 minutes. Meditation shouldn’t cause feeling of discomfort. If it does, reduce your practice time or change your position. Instead of sitting, you can stand or walk. If it still that doesn’t work, you should go back to incorporating a few minutes of meditation into your asana practice. After a few days, you may try with your normal meditation routine.

As you go along with your meditation, you will eventually experience a development in your physical and mental health. You will notice a development in physical and mental health, improved immune system, reduced stress, improved memory, recharged nervous system, amplified moral qualities such as patience and compassion.