STRESS-FREE MEDITATION

Relaxing vacations have proven health benefits

Stress-free Living
When you are constantly on-the-go, you risk losing track of what’s important in life. This creates adverse effects on your physical health as well as significantly impacting your psychological and spiritual well-being.

Researchers at the State University of New York at Oswego published a large study in Sept. 2000 based on 12,866 men, aged 35 to 57. They found that regular vacations lowered the risk of death by almost 20%, helped ward-off stress-related illness, and improved health over the long term. Compared with men who took no vacations, those who took regular vacations were 21% less likely to die over the next nine years and 32% less likely to either have a heart attack or die of heart disease.

The findings of this study are relevant to both men and women regardless of age too. When you feel chronic pressure about time, as opposed to short-term acute pressure, it compounds the stress that already exists, and increases your likelihood of developing high blood pressure, cardiac problems, and other health risks.

Meditation Balance
Meditation helps to rebuild your energy, enabling you to be still, quiet, and connected with the centers of your heart and mind. Without this, you risk leading a hectic lifestyle in which you feel emotionally and physically wrought and chronically exhausted.

A balance between rest and activity enhances productivity because you are able to focus, are more observant, and creativity can flourish. Your mind requires meditative time to stay inspired and alert. The difference between being tired or rested often translates into the difference between being overwhelmed with daily challenges or finding resourceful solutions to them.

Making Time for Meditation
Once you train your mind and body to relax and receive answers and blessings during meditation, you will find it easier to return to a peaceful state by remembering what tranquility feels like, and thereby using the breath and physical adjustments to restore harmony and be fully present and conscientious.
In time, every moment is a meditative moment.

Sitting or lying down, depending on your physical abilities, close your eyes and focus on creating a rhythmic flow of breath.

With each inhalation, breathe in the richness of life.
As you exhale, release the breath in a slow and steady stream.
Feel tension and stress leave the body on the breath.
Slow the breath down even further with each inhale and exhale.
Consciously release all anxiety, allowing the facial muscles and the limbs to relax.
Feel peace fill the inner space where tension once resided.

Let your mind drift to a safe and serene nature scene.
This can be a garden, beach, lake, or country scene. Whatever you are drawn to, real or imagined is the place that you will travel to in your imagination.

Focus on a calm scene

Experience the peace of this relaxing environment.
Remember how you feel: protected, nurtured, and free.
Stay in your safe place until you feel that it is time to leave.

Slowly bring awareness back to your body.
Allow the eyes to open.
Keep the breath calm and steady, the body relaxed.
Feel recharged, invigorated, and contented.

Know that you can return to this peaceful safe place simply by closing your eyes and following the breath’s journey.
Peace resides deep within you.

With practice, you will restore balance and harmony simply by returning to a calm and peaceful flow of breath.
Embrace your ability make contentment a daily reality.

MIDSUMMER MEDITATION

The Midsummer Sunrise

Midsummer Meditation
Across the northern hemisphere, Midsummer is celebrated in the period between June 21st and June 25th. In the southern hemisphere, the summer solstice is celebrated in December.
For thousands of years, and in many cultures throughout the world, midsummer has been observed through spiritual and religious celebrations during this specific time period in June.

First Day of Summer
On June 21st, the sunrise is given special honor with many cultures gathering with music, song, and spiritual traditions to recognize the longest daylight hours, the high noon, and the halfway point of the year hence the name Equinox is sometimes used to describe this midpoint. In Europe, it is also referred to as Midsummer because it is roughly the middle of the growing season.
While the true summer equinox varies from year to year on the astronomical calendar by a few hours, it is recognized officially as the first day of summer on June 21st. During the summer solstice the sun sits highest in the sky. This is the longest day of the year and the beginning of the summer season.

Standing Still
As the summer solstice approaches, the noonday sun rises higher and higher in the sky each day. On the actual day of the solstice, it barely rises at all compared to the previous day, creating the impression that the sun has stood still. This lasts for about three days before the sun appears to move from its point in the sky.
The word Solstice is derived from two Latin words: sol meaning sun, and sistere to cause to stand still. Life is always about balance and many traditions that we still have today harken back to the time when as a society it was important to follow the growing cycle of sowing, planting, and harvesting.

Why Is It Necessary To Acknowledge A Summer Solstice?
The Earth is constantly in motion yet for a brief moment, the sun is seen from our perspective as though it is standing still at its highest and brightest point.
With the sun at its highest point in the sky you can use it as an analogy to let your own light shine at its utmost highest and greatest.
It is a time of year of prosperity, hope, and relationships as well as an opportunity to recognize your connection and responsibility to nature and creation.

Let Your Own Light Shine

Let Your Light Shine
Light a candle to symbolize the enduring light that is within each of us and to recognize the sacred source from which we receive our light.
During your meditation practice, you can focus on the light within you and both fill your body and surround yourself with this light.

Guided Meditation
Close your eyes, and use the power of the breath to relax the body and mind
Follow the breath from the tip of the nose to the base of the lung
Follow the breath all the way out again.
Don’t rush this process
Continue following the breath until you feel completely relaxed

Maintain a steady and even breath and focus on the light within you
With each breath, become aware of brilliant white light at the base of your spine
This light is your spiritual energy

With the breath gentle and flowing, see the white light and draw it from the base of your spine in a steady column to the crown of your head

With each steady exhale, fill your body and surround yourself with your light

Continue about three to five rounds until you are completely filled and surrounded by the light
Sense the unity between yourself and the source of the light
Feel the oneness

Bathe yourself in its brilliance and loving energy
Feel the expansive abundance of the light

Dissolve into the light

After Your Meditation
You are from the source of the light and know that you can return to it at any time by entering into meditation
Carry the light with you and share its loving energy with other.
Be a shining light to everyone you meet
During times of stress, let your light shine to dispel the darkness
In this way you will be a beacon of light to those who are struggling.

Give thanks for the light and pause to reflect, just as the sun at this time of year appears to pause and reflect.