Meditation

What does meditation do to consciousness? What are the most popular and effective meditation techniques? What effects does hypnosis have on the mind and body? What are the benefits of hypnosis?
Meditation gets the mind beyond the thinking state and into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. It often involves turning attention to a single point of reference.It can energize one's awareness bringing both peace and wisdom to a busy mind. Also it dissolves many fears replacing them with lightness and brings freedom from anxiety. In a metaphoric sense, meditation is both the journey and the destination, revealing the secrets of consciousness and the treasures of the soul. It develops the power to be more alert and effective in our interaction with each other and with our precious world. But perhaps the greatest gift that comes with meditation is the glow of inner peace that is both gentle and strong.

Yogic Gaze (Trataka): A regular candle is used, but any other object of choice can be used. The candle is set up at arms distance, level with the eyes, and steady gazing is first done with the eyes open. After some time, the eyes are closed, and the after image of the flame is 'gazed at' with eyes closed at the eye brow center.
 * Mantra Meditation** is a grouping of sound vibrations which have an effect on the mental and psychic consciousness. It should not be mistaken for a specific religion.

The first stage of meditation is to stop distractions and make your mind clear. The most important thing is to keep your back straight to prevent the mind from becoming sluggish or sleepy. Sit with your eyes partially closed and turn your attention to your breathing and become more aware of your surrounding noises. The second stage of meditation, and this works for some, is to visualize yourself in a plane of existence that you feel comfortable with and when you see yourself in the plane you feel a sense of calmness. if you don't have a plane yet, eventually a vision of a place in your mind will come to you, this may be the desired plane.

The third step, for the advance, is the chakra releases. The body has seven chakra points that hold inner spiritual power that is a form of life energy. It take concentration and hard work to unleash the chakra points, but it is believed that if one should unleash all seven he would become enlightened.

Meditation is mostly practiced in the Eastern Asian countries where it has originated from. Most Eastern philosophies(such as Taoism) and religions (Such as Hinduism) use meditation as a part of their everyday lives.

Some forms of mediation depend on the certain nature element one is in. Some can only meditate in warm or cold tempetures, in daylight or nighttime, in water or on earth. Each is different to the individual.