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Meditation

The Beginners Guide to Meditation

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May is National Meditation Month. I can say that I have developed a pretty consistent meditation practice, but I don’t practice daily. To get back on track, I have committed to 30 days of meditation to get myself back in the habit of practicing daily. If you are looking to meditate or get back we have you covered. I created a focus word and affirmation daily as a guide to help your practice.

Many of us have overcommitted schedules, to-do lists that are pages long, and days that feel like it lasted 72 -hours. Stress is inevitable. There are times where our responsibilities overwhelm us to a point where stress takes over and it can lead to other health ailments that we don’t necessarily notice or feel. Time goes on and we have issues that could have been prevented if we took some time out and indulged in some self-care or just stopped to regroup.

When we feel overwhelmed it is important to have some tools that we can use to help us stay centered. A regular practice of meditation will help us in many ways. Studies have shown that meditation is known to improve concentration, focus, regulate breathing, self-awareness, and brain function. It is also known to reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. These are just a few of the many benefits that meditation offers.

A regular practice of meditation can improve your life. Just like any habit it takes time consistency. Small steps towards a practice of meditation will result in big benefits.  Before we start any new practice many people want to know more about what they are getting into. Meditation is an easy practice that you can start now. It takes some time, an open mind, and regular practice. We’ve answered some of the top questions about meditation to help you get started.

What is meditation?

Meditation is a technique that allows you to relax the mind and create a state of consciousness that enhances mental peace and self-awareness.

Who practices meditation?

Anyone can meditate. If you are open to it. This is a wonderful practice to focus on yourself and mindfully develop an alignment that will help you have a strong sense of self-awareness and improve your overall health mind, body, and soul.

How can I get started?

If you’ve never meditated before, start with two minutes. Set your timer on your phone, Imagine a blank piece of paper (this is equivalent of clearing your mind and centering yourself) focus on breathing for two minutes. Once the timer goes off, slowly open your eyes and relax. Once you are done, it is a great time to journal and reflect on your thoughts and feelings. As you get more comfortable with your practice you can add time. You can also start with a guided meditation. There are many podcasts, apps, and YouTube videos to help you get started.

How often should I meditate?

It is up to you. You will benefit the most with a daily practice. Find what works for you and stay consistent with it. Remember this is your journey, do what makes you feel satisfied and happy.

I already meditate and want to deepen my practice. What do I do?

You can participate in group meditations and/or go on a retreat. This is a great way to enhance your practice and meet like-minded people.

When you decide to start meditating, take your time and be gentle with yourself. This is your…
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Meditation apps you can try

The Mindfulness App

 
Smiling Mind


Calm 


Headspace 


Omvana 

Do you meditate? Let us know in the comments.

Peace and blessings,

Do you need help living a calm and peaceful life?

My book “Be Calm: 31 Mindful Affirmations and Reflections for Living a Peaceful Life” is available. Click here to purchase.

 

The Heartfulness Meditation Conference Comes to Detroit

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This Saturday, June 4, 2016 the Heartfulness Conference will land in Detroit. You can learn how to rest your mind and live from the heart while increasing creativity, productivity, and reducing stress. This free event will take place at Cobo Center beginning at 9am.

The conference is led by Heartfulness teacher Kamlesh Desabhai Patel who will also share this technique in Los Angeles and Newark. His mission is to introduce a heart-centered meditation that will be practiced by one million people worldwide.

This Saturday Detroit can expect to see

Mayor Mike Duggan inaugurate the program.

A keynote address from  Google’s Gopi Kallayil, author, “The Internet to the Inner-Net”

Guided meditation with Kamlesh D. Patel, Heartfulness global guide followed by a Q&A.

A talk with Dr. Partha Nandi, WXYZ 7 Health Editor and host of “Ask Dr. Nandi”

Women as Change Leaders  workshop with Walsh College President Stephanie Bergeron

Meditation and Self Mastery with Drs. John and Veronica Carter of the Gestalt Center OSD and more.

“Heartfulness is, in essence, meditating on the heart, which many view as the next evolutionary step in the expansion of consciousness,” said Mr. Patel. “We are confident that sharing the Heartfulness method will help practitioners open up a highly effective way of approaching the emotions and the feelings—the language of the heart—and give many people the opportunity to master their lives by listening to the heart.”  Heartfulness is a non-religious and non-dogmatic method that helps individuals experience and sustain inner repose, balance and peace of mind, some of the natural outcomes of this gentle, silent, meditation centered on the heart.

“In the past, the practice was limited to those who discovered it by word of mouth. But now, for the very first time, we’re making Heartfulness meditation accessible to everyone through conferences such as these,” said Mr. Patel.

Conference details.

June 4th — 9AM-12PM (morning program) & 2PM-6PM (afternoon program)

The Cobo Conference Center |1 Washington Blvd |Detroit MI, 48226

To Register: Heartfulness Conference Detroit

Join Oprah & Deepak’s Meditation Challenge For Shedding The Weight

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Spring is finally here and it is time for a change.  If you are looking to release weight, gain clarity, and increase mindfulness this meditation challenge might be for you.

Deepak and Oprah are teaming up for another 21-day meditation challenge to help you shed the weight mind, body, and spirit.

If you are in the beginning stages of meditation or a pro, this is a great opportunity to meditate daily and join a wonderful community of people.

The 21-Day Challenge begins Monday, March, 21, 2016.

Sign up for the challenge here.

Peace and blessings,
Signature-Yvelette

Mindful Mondays: Quotes on Meditation

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There are so many benefits when we meditate. It is such a refreshing practice that brings you to a state of calmness and clarity. I make it a practice to meditate every day and it has helped me in many areas in my life.

If you would like to start and/or continue your practice, Deepak Chopra and Oprah Winfrey have a free guided 21 day meditation focused on expanding your happiness. You can sing up here.

This week for Mindful Mondays are quotes on meditation.

Quiet the mind, and the soul will speak. – Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati

Meditation is listening to the Divine within. ― Edgar Cayce

“One hour’s meditation on the work of the Creator is better than seventy years of prayer.” ― Muhammad

Meditation is all about the pursuit of nothingness. It’s like the ultimate rest. It’s better than the best sleep you’ve ever had. It’s a quieting of the mind. It sharpens everything, especially your appreciation of your surroundings. It keeps life fresh. -Hugh Jackman

When there are thoughts, it is distraction: when there are no thoughts, it is meditation. – Ramana Maharshi

Just as you wouldn’t leave the house without taking a shower, you shouldn’t start the day without at least 10 minutes of sacred practice: prayer, meditation, inspirational reading. -Marianne Williamson

Meditation is to dive all the way within, beyond thought, to the source of thought and pure consciousness. It enlarges the container, every time you transcend. When you come out, you come out refreshed, filled with energy and enthusiasm for life. – David Lynch

Meditation makes the entire nervous system go into a field of coherence. – Deepak Chopra

Have you tried meditation?

Peace and blessings,
Signature-Yvelette

PS: My children’s book about health Vernon the Vegetable Man is for sale. A healthy and fun activity guide to compliment the book will be available 8.15.14. Stay in the calming loop, sign up for updates and free tips to live a calm and healthy lifestyle.

Three Steps to Internal Peace

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Have you ever been in a situation where something or someone has literally created some stress in your world? It could be an individual that gets under your skin, or a project that creates more chaos than usual. There is a way to handle the anxiousness and frustration that comes with the situation. Something I learned and still working on this year is to really understand my thought process and the emotion that is tied to whatever is happening when it comes to chaos and stress. This helps me tremendously.

Many times in the middle of stress our initial response is attack and armor. What I’ve learned is to stop, breathe and incorporate some meditation and prayer. I also ask myself questions so I can see the situation differently. It is important to understand that this is a single moment out of your whole fabulous life. Your actions can create calmness or more chaos. We want to go for the calm. Here are three steps for finding internal peace.

1. Stop and breathe: Did you know that deep breathing can relive emotional issues such as stress, tension, and anxiety. It is also known to raise energy level  and lower blood pressure. Breathing massages the organs such as the stomach, small intestine, liver and pancreas. As you breathe focus on your breath and any area where you may feel tension in your body, then simply breathe into that space. From there, focus on a specific intention that is separated from the chaos. Try some affirmations that will help you get center and calm. Here are some guided breathing exercises  that will help you.

2. Trust the moment: Understand that we are right where we are supposed to be. This is a lesson to be learned to strengthen you and prepare you for what is to come. When I am really on point with myself check-in’s I always ask what is the lesson, why am I thinking this way and what could I have done different. When answering the questions, really be honest with yourself and understand everything happens for a reason.

3. Pray: Ask for guidance and show gratitude for both the difficulty and the peace that is on the way. We are not given anything we can’t handle. It is the process that positions us to prosper in beautiful ways beyond our imagination.

These steps help me. I hope that you find that they are helpful for you. I would love to know what you do to find internal peace. Please leave a comment below.

Peace and blessings,

Yvelette



Photo: avisviswanathan.blogspot.com


Oprah & Deepak Meditation Challenge for Miraculous Relationships


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Deepak and Oprah are at it again with their wonderful 21-Day Meditation Challenge for Miraculous Relationships. As we know the first and most important component of any relationship the is the engagement that you have with yourself.




Over the three weeks the guided meditations will help you “embrace your true essence, expand your understanding of divine relationship, and experience unparalleled connection with the world around you.” It is free and you can sign up here.


The bliss starts  August 5, 2013.







Peace and blessings,


Yvelette