The goal of meditation in the beginning is to unlearn that which prevents the natural state of being from being a real experience.

Everybody can meditate as it is a natural state of being—like sleep, like relaxation—everyone has it in them to experience this.

The major obstacle is that our focus has been removed from certain aspects of ourselves in order to deal with core survival issues. This diversion of our energy is essential in a very complex world, such as it is in the Western world. It is not that the complex world is a bad thing, it simply means that our attention shifts away from relaxation or how to meditate, as our mind and emotions get full of so many other things.

Meditation is not simply, contrary to what some people think, sitting down and stilling the mind. It is a state of consciousness and awareness that allows for creativity and action.

Various researchers have concluded that meditation helps one to improve creative abilities, emotional intelligence and even improves IQ. The reason for this is that meditation allows the natural flow to all other aspects of yourself to be much more in tune with what makes you alive. Just like when you sleep, you wake up refreshed and clear; or when you relax, you are able to let go of the stresses that seem so intense in that moment. Meditation helps the flow of life energy so that you feel a joy and a clarity that is integral in the creative process.

This is never achieved simply by sitting down, it is a much more complex process. The idea of meditation consisting of sitting quietly in a corner for 20 minutes is quite misleading.

Try this instead!

Balancing Nostril Breathing Meditation

>>>Begin by sitting in a comfortable position on a cushion or in a chair, take a few gentle deep breaths to allow your body to become more relaxed. Now, using the finger and thumb of one hand we are going to alternate the breath through each nostril.

>>>Close your right nostril with your thumb and take a gentle deep breath through your left. Now change and, closing the left nostril with your forefinger, breathe out through the right.

>>>Keeping the same nostril closed, breathe in gently again through the right and then change to breathe out through the left. Continue with this pattern for as long as you wish.

This meditation is a very direct way of bringing yourself back to a balanced state. If your mind is busy and overactive, or if your body is feeling tired and sluggish this meditation will quickly bring you back to a state of calm alertness.

Tony Samara, author of “Shaman’s Wisdom,” “From the Heart,” “Different Yet the Same” and “Deeper than Words” was born in England, grew up in Egypt and also in Norway where he discovered the “Zen Buddhist philosophy”. This discovery eventually led him to the Mount Baldy Zen Center in California where he learned the spiritual teachings of “Kyozan Joshu Sasaki.” Curious to further explore the essence of spirituality Samara went to live and learn with shamanic communities around the globe. This includes a period of time spent with highly influential shamans in the Amazon River region and the Andes Mountains. People from all over the world visit Tony Samara for spiritual guidance and experience being in his presence. His main countries of activity are in Europe yet the assistance of the Internet is attracting a global audience through frequent online interviews and live satsangs. His function is as a Spiritual Teacher who encourages all to lead their lives actively in a noble way in order to realize the evolution of human consciousness. Short documentary featuring Tony Samara throughthestaticfilm.com.  Contact Tony Samara at [email protected]; Twitter; or Facebook.

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Editor: ShaMecha Simms

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