For hundreds of years sages, wise men and yogis have practiced meditation and extolled the benefits. In today's hectic world there is no better time to take up meditation.

What is Meditation?

In simple terms, meditation is quietening your mind. If you stop for a moment and watch your thoughts you will notice that you are always thinking. You may be worrying about this and that, planning something, replaying earlier events or conversations. All the time your mind is an incessant chatterbox. With meditation you can clear your mind, quieten and even stop, the chatter - and reap enormous benefits.

Why Meditate?

The benefits of meditation are immense. Practising meditation regularly has been shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. Living a calmer life allows you to live longer and more happily, you look younger than your years, and you are much more able to cope with life's inevitable setbacks and difficulties.

Meditation has also been shown to increase alpha brainwaves. Alpha brainwaves are the type of brainwaves used in creativity and problem solving. The more you meditate the more creative you will become which could lead to both personal and professional breakthroughs.

How Do You Meditate?

There are tapes and CDs available to help guide you into a meditative state but they are not necessary. All that you need is to find a time and place where you can relax and not be disturbed. The environment should be quiet and comfortable. You can play soothing, quiet music if you wish.

The intention is to relax your mind. One way to do this is to focus on an object or a sound to occupy the mind and stop it chattering on about anything else. Some people who meditate focus on a candle flame or a flower. Or you could close your eyes and focus on a sound in your mind, such as Ah-umm or Ohmm.

The most important thing to remember about meditation is not to force anything.

Meditation is not concentrating, it's not forcing, it's not even trying. Meditation is relaxing and allowing. It is Being.

When Do You Meditate?

You can meditate at any time you choose - morning, noon and night. You can even fit in a session of meditation during your lunch break from work. There are no rules about meditation. See what works for you. And equally, there are no rules about how long you should meditate. If you can only manage five minutes a day you will still feel the benefits after a very short period. Some of the Eastern holy men meditate for hours, or even days, at a time. While their experiences might be more heightened than yours, it really isn't necessary to meditate for great long periods.