Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Zombie Road Series & Zen Meditation - #AtoZChallenge

Zombie Road Series
Terror on the Two-Lane (Zombie Road #5)
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  • Observation of the breath
Meditators should assume a comfortable posture such as the Burmese, half-lotus or Seiza pose during zazen. It’s best to sit on a padded mat or cushion; sitting on a chair is also acceptable. Awareness is directed towards a certain object of meditation, generally observation of the breath and more specifically the way it moves in and out of the belly area. This method fosters an abiding sense of presence and alertness.
  • Quiet awareness
This form of meditation does not repose on a focal point such as the breath. Here, meditators learn to allow thoughts to flow through their minds without judgment, grasping or rejection. The Japanese call this practice shikantaza, or “just sitting.” This Zen Buddhist meditation technique is practiced with no object of meditation, anchors or contents.
The teachings emphasize that there is no goal, per se. The meditator “just sits” and allows their mind to just be. It is important for practitioners to understand that zazen is not a means to an end: it is the end.
  • Intensive group meditation
Serious meditators regularly practice rigorous group meditation in meditation centers or temples. The Japanese call this practice sesshin.  During this period of intensive meditation, practitioners devote most of their time to sitting meditation. Each session lasts about 30 to 50 minutes, alternated with walking meditation, short breaks and meals. Meals are taken in silence as part of the practice, usually with oryoki bowls. Brief periods of work are also performed mindfully. Today, such Zen meditation retreats are practiced in Taiwan, Japan and the West.

Monday, April 29, 2019

You Must Not Miss & Yoga - #AtoZChallenge


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Saturday, April 27, 2019

XL & Liquid Mind X - #AtoZChallenge

XL
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Friday, April 26, 2019

Will Hount You & Winds - #AtoZChallenge

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Thursday, April 25, 2019

Virtually Yours & Vipassana - #AtoZChallenge

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Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Unmortal & Upanshu - #AtoZChallenge

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Tuesday, April 23, 2019

Teeth in the Mist & Tips - #AtoZChallenge

Teeth in the Mist
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Monday, April 22, 2019

Suspicious Minds & Shikantaza & Self-Love - #AtoZChallenge

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Saturday, April 20, 2019

Romanov & Rejuvenation - #AtoZChallenge


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This is a potent meditation for the glandular system. It is a “medical meditation.” Its effects are strong enough to help the system fight disease. It does not replace allopathic forms of medicine, but it does open the healing and preventative capacity of your body. The meditation focuses its effects on the glandular system, the guardians of your health. Be careful to start slowly with this pranayam. It can make you very spacey and dreamy. It is best to practice this before going to bed. If you master it, you will know why the yogis and sages always call breath the energy of life.

Sit in an Easy Pose, with a light jalandhar bandh.

Eyes: Focus the eyes past the tip of the nose toward the distant ground and beyond into the depths of the Earth.

Mudra: Relax the arms down along the sides. Bring the hands in front of the chest with the palms toward the torso. Keep the elbows snug against the side of the ribs. Join the hands along the sides of the palms and the sides of the little fingers. Spread the fingers and thumbs apart. Bend the wrists so the palms face up toward the sky.

Breath & Mantra: The breath must be precise. Inhale deeply and slowly through semi-puckered lips. Hold the breath in for 4 seconds (or the length of one mental cycle of the mantra). SAA TAA NAA MAA. Then exhale powerfully in 4 equal strokes through the nose. As you exhale mentally recite the mantra: SAA TAA NAA MAA
Then hold the breath out for 2 seconds or the length of one mental WHA-HAY GUROO.

Continue for 11 minutes and with practice, work your way up to 31 minutes.







Friday, April 19, 2019

Queen of Ruin & Qigong - #AtoZChallenge

Queen of Ruin (Grace and Fury #2)
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Here is a Qi 101 video - enjoy!





Thursday, April 18, 2019

The Plague Stones & Pranayama - #AtoZChallenge

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Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Once and Future & OM - #AtoZChallenge

Once & Future (Once & Future #1)






Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Nocturna & Nirvana - #AtoZChallenge


Nocturna (A Forgery of Magic #1)
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Monday, April 15, 2019

Mothlight & Meditation - #AtoZChallenge





But many meditation techniques exist — so how do you learn how to meditate? (click the highlight text or the picture to view a much larger picture to read text)




It’s extremely difficult for a beginner to sit for hours and think of nothing or have an “empty mind.” Here are a few tips to get you started:




Saturday, April 13, 2019

Last Ones Left Alive & Loving Metta Meditation - #AtoZChallenge

Last Ones Left Alive



Also called metta, loving-kindness meditation is the simple practice of directing well-wishes towards other people. Here's How to Do It. The general idea is to sit comfortably with your eyes closed, and imagine what you wish for your life. Formulate your desires into three or four phrases.

The practice of Metta meditation is a beautiful support to other awareness practices. One recites specific words and phrases evoking a "boundless warm-hearted feeling." The strength of this feeling is not limited to or by family, religion, or social class. We begin with our self and gradually extend the wish for well-being happiness to all beings.