Mantra Meditation - from the Health and Healing Series at SupportNet.ca - Resources for Your Recovery

Recovery is learning to enjoy life - without the use of alcohol or drugs that alter mind or mood.

It is treatment for the condition of addiction - an approach to the challenges of life - and a path to personal growth.

Recovery requires us to learn - about the true nature of addiction.

It may be personalized - but it has its necessary Principles and its Ways.

The Principles of Recovery provide direction - to the choices that we face each day.

The Ways of Recovery provide us with tools - that help us to heal - and to enjoy life on life’s terms.

This Learning Seminar introduces you to Mantra Meditation -

What you need to know - How it works - and how it can help you to enjoy life today.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is a word of many meanings.

Mostly, it is about being alert, aware and accepting of our experience in just being here - right now.

Meditation is letting go - of the business of the world - the clutter in our mind - and of the feelings that pass within us.

It is a way of learning to calm, center and to ground our selves.

Meditation is learning to calmly watch, listen and feel - without being tossed about by the things that happen around and within us.

It is learning to see and to accept things as they really are.

Mantra Meditation

A Mantra is a word or a short, calming phrase - that we repeat over and again in our mind.

For example - when we repeat the phrase - This Too Shall Pass - it becomes a Mantra.

This Too Shall Pass is a common Mantra - repeated in the minds of people throughout the world each day.

Mantra Meditation is simply the practice of resting your attention on the sound of your Mantra . . .

     - as you quietly repeat it to your self - within your own mind.

Mantra is a simple, straightforward and powerful meditation.

It is easy to learn - and can be a very good way to begin your practice of meditation.

Mantra Meditation is portable - You can say your mantra quietly within your mind at any time or in any place.

It is an excellent companion to Active Meditation. You can say your mantra to your self as you breathe deeply into your abdomen - or while you are walking.

Getting Started

This Too Shall Pass - Grant me Serenity - Hope and Faith - My Life is Now - One Day at a Time . . .

These or any other brief, calming phrase may become your mantra. Choose one - and make it a part of your recovery today.

The best way to learn Mantra Meditation is to try it out.

Find a few minutes to your self. Make sure that you have gone to the washroom first. Maybe turn the ring down on your phone.

Wear loose and comfortable clothing. Sit in a straight chair with your back, neck and head relaxed - but sitting straight up.

Don’t slouch or cross your legs - Your muscles will become sore if you do so.

Don’t recline or lay down to meditate - You will just fall asleep.

Rest your arms to your side - or on your lap.

Take a breath in through your nose and deeply in to your belly. Feel your belly rise out with your in breath.

Let your breath go - and allow it to pass out through your nose on its own. An out-breath requires no energy. It is a time to relax.

As you sit comfortably - and breathe gently - say your mantra to yourself in your mind - with each out breath.

Listen to the sound of your mantra. Say it again - and again.

You will soon find yourself lost in a daydream - or planning what to have for dinner tonight.

Just return your attention to your mantra - and let your mind rest there again.

Each time that you return your mind to your mantra - you are learning the practice of Mantra Meditation.

One step at a time, you learn about the wandering tendencies of your mind - about how to work with its restlessness - and how to stay calm and centered in your activity right now.

Whatever happens during Mantra Meditation - don’t pressure your self. Few of us find it easy to settle our mind.

Don’t try to force your mind to your will. When you notice your self off in a daydream - just let the imagining go - and rest your mind back on your Mantra.

Mantra and other types of meditation help us to learn skills - useful skills in relaxation, attention, self awareness and observation.

It allows us to see how easily our mind carries us off with it - and helps us learn to stay grounded in the day.

Countless distractions may occur during meditation - traffic noise, daydreams, memories, body sensations, thoughts and feelings.

Meditation is practice in not being pulled about by these things.

It is practice in letting go - of the relentless stuff that passes within and around us - and in maintaining a calm presence of mind throughout.

During meditation - you may be surprised at how great is the pull - to follow a recurrent daydream - or to let your mind drift to the past or future.

You may also be surprised at how your body tends to follow what comes to your mind - wanting to move - with shallow breathing or muscular tension.

Meditation is learning to let go of all this stuff - as it happens one bit at a time - all the time.

It’s not that we disregard - or try to force things out of our mind. We just choose to not get carried away by it all - during our meditation time.

No matter what comes up - just notice it - let go - and calmly rest your mind back on your mantra.

In Summary

During Mantra Meditation, we repeat a calming word or short phrase - over and again - within our mind and to our self.

As we let go of the distractions that occur - we learn to maintain a calm presence of mind - and to not be pulled away by what passes us by.

Our mind settles - and is better prepared to help us deal with what is happening in our lives right now.

You have now reached the end of Mantra Meditation.

Look for this and other Learning Seminars at www.SupportNet.ca - Resources for Your Recovery.