Meditation Made Easy, Essay Example

People search for serenity in different ways. Luckily, a diversity of methods can be used to help reduce the daily stresses in life. Meditation is one method that has proven to have many benefits for both the body and mind. Tests and trials have shown that meditation is one of the best things to do to calm the mind and improve health (Lefkowitz, Frances, 2010). Fortunately, there are several meditation styles to choose from to fit a variety of personalities, such as, Breathing, Mindfulness, Listening, Mantra, Walking, and Binaural Bliss Out. They are all meditation styles that can be used that will fit most needs.

Breathing meditation is “the cornerstone of all meditation techniques, this practice centers on something we always do but rarely notice: breathing” (Lefkowitz, Frances, 2010). Obviously, this technique attention is on breathing, it is designed to keep the focus on the breath as it moves through the body. Next, Mindfulness meditation, it centers on training the mind to visually feel one particular thought during the meditation. Then there’s Listening meditation, this style focuses on the vibration of the sound instead of the actual information being taking in. It does not require a quiet or peaceful environment, but requires working with sounds and not fighting against it (Lefkowitz, Frances, 2010). Sound and vibration is also used with Mantra meditation. However, instead of noise, the sound and vibration is used to bring quietness to the body and calm the nervous system. For a more physical style, try walking meditation, it concentrates on the actual movement of the legs and arms as they swing. The focal point is on the movements as walking occurs. Finally, Binaural Bliss Out, it uses beats to separate the right and left hemispheres of the brain that brings the mind into a meditative condition (Lefkowitz, Frances, 2010).

Choosing from the many different meditation styles can be challenging. But finding the right meditation style can ultimately contribute to reducing stress and having a healthier body.

Evaluation of Sources

The results found using academic article databases were different from the search concluded in Google search engine. The findings of source comparison will be summarized below. The first result that came up in the search engine was a for-profit website of a meditation program. The next results were similar to the first one; commercial and for-profit blogs alongside with Wikipedia results.

1. Scope

The scope of the primary (academic) and secondary (internet search) content was different. While the academic sources provided a detailed overview backed up by statistics and research, the internet sites were providing an overview of facts and benefits only.

2. Audience

The audience the academic articles were targeting was the community of health professionals and researchers. Internet sites focused on people interested in the practical aspects of meditation.

3. Timeliness

While the websites found through internet search were updated recently, the internet databases of journal articles provided dated records. However, from the research point of view, timeliness did not have a great importance.

4. Authority

The authority of the journal articles was created through thorough research and the authority of the periodical, status of researchers. The only tool used to confirm the found websites’ authority was customer testimonials.

5. Documentation

No resources and bibliographies were found in the blogs coming up in the Google search, while the Wikipedia website provided some primary sources.

6. Objectivity

Objectivity was achieved in the journal articles by providing exact details, statistical data and references. This was not found in the websites, and many of the articles were advertorial.

References

Lefkowitz, Frances, F. L. (2010). “Meditation made easy: too busy, intimidated or scattered to meditate? You won’t be, once you find the style that’s right for you”. Natural Health Sept.-Oct. 2010: 68+. Academic One File. Web. 3 Apr. 2012.

Rosen, Richard, R. R., & Yee, Rodney, R. Y. (2002). The yoga of breath: A step-by-step guide to pranayama. Boston: Shambhala.

McCall, Timothy, T. M. (2007). Yoga as medicine: The yogic prescription for health & healing. New York: Bantam Books.

Salzberg, Sharon, S. S. (1995). Lovingkindness: The revolutionary art of happiness. Boston: Shambhala.

Kempton, Sally, S. K. (n.d.). Yoga journal. Retrieved from http://www.sallykempton.com/resources/articles