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Author:
Paul M. Jerard Jr.

Each one of these healing methods is thousands of years old. The exact origins of meditation and self-hypnosis are not known. We do know that Yoga existed over 5,000 years ago in the Indus Valley. Despite the evidence that each of these methods creates peace of mind, within the practitioner, they have only recently gained worldwide attention for their results. Meditation is often linked to Yoga, since it is one of the many aspects of Yoga. However, meditation is also a separate entity and has existed in almost every corner of the earth for a very long time. Proponents of self-hypnosis can make similar claims and healers have successfully used this method for a variety of ailments that afflict mankind. All of these methods have existed despite fundamentalist efforts to prevent them. Why should fundamentalists care about Yoga, meditation, and self-hypnosis? The keyword is "self." If you can control your mental, physical, and spiritual health, you can regulate your own life. This strikes fear into the hearts of those who work very hard to regulate and control the masses. Ask anyone who practiced Yoga, but has lived under a suppressive form of government, about his or her experience. Over the past 15 years, I have met many former Soviet Block citizens, and learned so much from them. Many of them shared their experiences about practicing Yoga, martial arts, meditation, self-hypnosis, and religion in secret. Families practiced together secretly to avoid drawing attention to them. Attention to yourself is not desired in any suppressive society. To become the custodian of a healing method is one thing, but to risk your life for it is truly brave. For this, and many other reasons, these people are the unsung heroes for freedom, self-improvement, and healing methods. For those of us who live in a free society, we often take for granted that you can practice Yoga, meditation, self-hypnosis, or any other form of self-healing, without fear of reprisal. You can point yourself in a positive direction and pursue it freely. No one is holding you back from improving yourself and you don't have to hide in a closet to practice. The next time you make an excuse about not having enough time to practice Yoga, meditation, religion, or self-hypnosis, think of the people who have to put their lives on the line for a little personal freedom. Lastly, you can always make an appointment with yourself. Write it down in your appointment book, on your laptop, or anywhere else you will see it. Make an appointment with yourself to practice Yoga, meditation, or self-hypnosis and remember those who gave their lives for the freedoms you have.

© Copyright 2005 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

About the author:

Paul Jerard is the director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. He's a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students wanting to be a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org

| Article Keywords: Meditation

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Meditation... Ten Tips on Using Meditation to Reduce Tension 1. Stop and scan your body So often we don't realise that stress and tension are building up in our bodies. We might arrive at work not realising we have already got a frown on our forehead or a clenched jaw. Stop, briefly, to scan through your body. Pay attention to the top of your head right down to your feet and let tensions dissolve away. Do this regularly through your day or week. 2. Focus on a pleasing object Meditation is a technique of training the mind to stay focused on a single object. When you do that you give your mind a rest from issues, anxieties and problems. Focus on a simple object such as a single colour, a simple flower or your breathing. Give your mind a rest regularly. 3. Breathe when you get held up When you're in a supermarket or bank queue, at red traffic lights or waiting for a lift (elevator), ditch your agitation. Instead of complaining at the traffic light and getting more stressed, simply focus on your breath going in and out. Let your body and mind relax (but keep your eyes open!) 4. Have a relaxing screen saver to focus on Choose a screen saver that makes a good meditation object, a lotus flower, rainbow or waterfall, for example. Use it to remind you to meditate. 5. Meditate in your lunch break Instead of sitting around in the staff room or reading the newspaper, take 15 minutes to wind down your mind. br> 6. Meditate each day Don't let stress accumulate from one day to the next. At the end of each day or the start of the next one, put some time aside to meditate and clear away the debris that you've got left over from the negativity or stress you've been coping with. You'd probably shower or wash your body each day - clean your mind each day too. 7. Join a meditation group Meditating with a group of people...