Meditation refers to a state in which your body and mind are consciously relaxed and focused. People who faithfully practice this art testify to an enhanced understanding, focus, and concentration, not to mention a more positive attitude in life.

Meditation is most commonly associated with monks, mystics and other spiritual disciplines. However, you don’t have to be a monk or medium to take pleasure in its benefits. And you don’t even need to have a special place to practice it. You may even attempt it in your own living room!

While there are lots of different methods to meditation, the fundamental principles never change. The most essential of these principles is that of removing obstructive, pessimistic, and drifting thoughts and fantasies, and calming the mind with a deep feeling of focus. This empties the mind of debris and prepares it for a higher quality of activity.

The negative thoughts you have - those of noisy neighbors, power hungry co-workers, that parking ticket you got, and unwanted junk mail- are said to add to the ‘polluting’|”Cluttering”| of the mind, and closing them out allows for the ‘cleansing’ of the mind so that it may center on deeper, more meaningful thoughts.

Some practitioners even shut out all sensory input by disallowing - light, no sounds, and anything touchable - and try to remove themselves from the commotion around them. You may now focus on a deep, profound thought if this is your objective. It may seem deafening at first, seeing how we are all too use to continuously hearing and seeing things, but as you continue this exercise you will discover yourself becoming more aware of all that is around you.

If you find the meditating practices you see on television threatening - the positions with ridiculously arched backs, and painful-looking contortions - no worries. The principle here is to be in a relaxing position favorable to concentration. This might consist of sitting Indian style, standing, lying down, and even walking.

If the position permits you to relax and focus, then that would be a good starting point. While sitting or standing, the spine should be straight and aligned, but not so as to be uncomfortable. In other positions, the only things you want to refrain from is slouching or allowing yourself to fall asleep.

Unrestrictive, breathable clothing makes a big difference in the process since ill- fitting clothes have a tendency to bind you up and leave you feeling tense.

The location in which you practice your meditation should have a soothing atmosphere. It might be in your front room, or bedroom, or any place that you feel at ease in. You may want an exercise pad if you plan to attempt more difficult positions (if you feel more centered doing so, and if the contortionist in you is screaming for release). You may want to have the area situated so that it is calming to your senses.

Silence helps most people become at ease and meditate, so you might want a noise free, undisturbed area away from the jingling of the phone or the humming of the washing machine. Pleasing scents also assist in that regard, so stocking up on aromatic candles is never a bad idea either.

The monks you see on television making those monotonous sounds are actually performing their mantra. This, in layman terms, is a short creed, a simple sound which, for these individuals, holds a mystic value.

You do not need to practice or do such exercises; although, it would be beneficial to note that focusing on repetitive actions such as breathing, or humming help the practitioner gain a higher state of consciousness.

The principle here is focus. You might also try centering on a certain object or thought, or even, while keeping your eyes open, focus on a single sight.

One sample routine would be to - during meditation - in your head name every part of you body and centering your awareness on that part. While doing this you should be conscious of any stress on any part of your body. Mentally picture letting go of this tension. It works like magic.

In all, meditation is a fairly risk-free practice and its rewards are well worth the effort (or the lack of effort - don’t forget we’re relaxing).

Studies have discovered that meditation does have beneficial physiologic effects to the body. And there has been a rising consensus in the medical community to further study the effects of such. So in the near future, who knows, that spiritual, esoteric thing we call meditation may turn into a science itself!