Welcome to Meditation. I hesitate to use the word meditation. To me, as well as many others, the word "meditation" conjures up the picture of a bearded man sitting cross-legged in front of an entrance to a cave or high on a mountain top. Climbing the mountain and reaching him is part of the arduous journey toward self-fulfillment, self-improvement. Once we find him we ask, "What is the meaning of life?" or "How do we achieve peace in ourselves and our lives?" This all-knowing man tells us the answers are "inside ourselves" and tells us to go and contemplate. I don't know if that answer was worth the journey!

Well, I am not a wise man on a mountain. I am just like you -- involved in life and work, seeking more serenity and calm in my life. I am still learning to do it better, using meditation as a guide on my journey. I invite you to take this journey yourselves. I invite you to use meditation to find the answers to your questions.

ANAPANASATI MEDITATION

Close your eyes and relax your body.... take all the time you need to get comfortable ..... shift muscles ..... stretch and relax ..... make sure your spine and neck are not held stiffly... there is no stiffness here ..... just comfort, the beginning of calm ..... there is no hurry now ..... there is nothing else to do..... or think about ..... just relax.

notice your breath .....
inhale slowly ......
exhale slowly.....
let your breath sink in and out .....
your breath is a rhythm of calm.....
follow your breath.....
be still.....
be your breath.....
use your mind to follow
your breath ..... in ..... out..... in ..... out.....
that is all.....
be your breath.....
be your breath.....
be still..... be still..... be still..... be still.....

One should sit for a minimum of so many minutes as corresponding to the age of the person, in terms of the number of years.