“The gift of learning to meditate is the greatest gift you can give yourself in this life. For it is only through meditation that you can undertake the journey to discover your true nature, and so find the stability and confidence you will need to live, and die, well. Meditation is the road to enlightenment.”

The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying 

Sogyal Rinpoche

Practising meditation on a daily basis can have many positive effects including allowing us to be more productive as we learn to calm the background chatter in our minds which can cause stress, anxiety and worry.

Dr Issam Kadamani, Principal of the International College of Meditation & Healing, says that a calm mind opens the window to more clarity, greater creativity, better decision making, reduced blood pressure, improved immune system, improved sleep, better pain management and can also decrease levels of depression.

Meditation, like any new activity, takes time to master and it is only through dedication that you will learn to adjust your mind to meditation.

Dr Issam Kadamani recommends that beginners start with just ten minutes a day. Start your practice with focused breathing to calm the mind.

“For most people after approximately ten minutes of deep and focused breathing the heart rate goes down and the mind is better able to focus and find clarity and tranquillity,” says Dr Issam Kadamani.

Sitting on a chair with your back strait is often the best way to focus.

With meditation, one size does not fit all. There are various methods including meditations using mantras, open eye meditation and guided visualization. It is worth trying a few techniques to find the one which works best for you.

It can take some time for the mind to adjust to meditation so Dr Issam Kadamani suggestss undertaking the same meditation practice both in the morning and evening for 1-2 weeks to master it as best as possible, before moving onto a different meditation technique.

For the best results, it is recommended that meditation be practiced for a minimum of 20 minutes per day at a time that fits into your daily schedule.

For more information on meditation visit www.icmh.com.au