Meditation

Does anyone meditate to keep themselves mentally on track? If so, what do you do? I think I'd like to explore some meditation but am unsure what to actually do and how to do it!

not to keep myself mentally on track as much as turn off this world and have some time where i am not bombarded by people, electronics, music or advertising.

a helpful site on the basics.

one of my favorite speakers on the topic is brad warner. cbc interviewed him and you can listen here.

meditation requires no special instructions truly. after my weight set i often close my eyes on the cross trainer and find i slip into the same quiet-mind that i would while making a point to clear my mind. Although, in this day and age it is a lot easier to find zen in the middle of an island, on a dock, in the sun :)

Just sit there and try to be in "the present moment." Try not to think about things you've done in the past or what you might do in the future. To help stay in the present moment breathe in and out slowly while counting each breath until you get to ten and then count down until you get to 1 over and over. If you've never tried meditation before, this can sound easy. But, with most of us being type-A personalities where we constantly are being productive, it can be difficult to sit there and do nothing let alone think about nothing too. Another thing that helps me is to imagine a spot or hole centered on my forehead just above my eyebrows. And, I just try to stare into it. I see images and I just go with it. If you are new (and I am too) try and sit for just 5 min. in the morning and at night and increase your time from there. If it seems difficult at first, stay with it. You'll get better and eventually will feel the benefits...clarity, calmness, among others.

I do the 'deep breathing' yoga exercises in public, very crowded places because I tend to have panic attacks. I also do them when I'm trying to get to sleep, or just  to give myself a 'mind' break at work if I'm super busy. You have to clear your brain and focus only on your breathing.... counting along with it. Its harder than it sounds.

Ironically, I don't even have the time to research how to meditate, but my friend suggested this website to start off with meditation:

http://www.wildmind.org/

I hope it helps. I should take the time to explore it too.