Having a Hard Time Trying to Start Meditating?

May 30th, 2010

Many people have tough issues with meditation.  It is easier if you are in a situation in which you have to meditate, like a temple or in the middle of nature. Aroma therapy, visual stimulation, relaxing music, repetitive sounds, running water, the sound of waves or a creek, warmth of the sun, wind, and movements such as a swing, can distract one from racing thoughts and prepare one’s mind for meditation.

If your issue is not trying it because you’re afraid you won’t do it correctly, do not worry. No one can meditate incorrectly and shaking the notion can be difficult since people often wonder if what they’re experiencing is in fact meditation. To try it and then feel like a failure, like it is not working is common.
First, you must recognize you are doing it. Admit that you failed at your overall goal. If you have the ability to recognize it, then you have the ability to move past it. Negative emotions are impermanent and they do not matter. You are not dependent on these emotions. Consistent negative emotions while trying to meditate can turn people away and that is a typical response to suffering and it is part of the path to have a liberating experience.

You have to sit with your eyes closed and feel awkward and frustrated about not being able to just leave and do something productive. If you think you have to fail, you have to accept failing, even though in the end there’s no such thing as failing. Western society has the concept of failing engrained in our brains

So just go into the way of meditating knowing you’re going to fail. Accept it. I’m pretty sure eventually, you’ll come to realize you actually are meditating and solving your problems. If you think your failing ask yourself this question: so what? What if it is? Failing opens up new opportunities, so in the end you will reach success.

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Top 20 Relaxing Foods that Reduce Stress

May 26th, 2010
The top 20 list of foods that reduce stress. Also factored in are there help to long term health, such as eyesight, immunity, blood pressure, and aging.

1. Garlic
Garlic is in the onion family and it’s affects are reduced when cooked. It’s used for both culinary and medicinal uses. It is a powerful antibiotic and antifungal compound.
Reduce Stress/Prevent Aging/Reduce Blood Pressure/Reduce Acne/Boost Immune System/Improve Eyesight

2. Green Tea
Green tea is used as a drink and is considered a herb. It cleanses the body and has powerful cancer fighting properties.
Reduce Stress/Prevent Aging/Reduce Blood Pressure/Reduce Acne/Boost Immune System
3. Avocados
Avocados are a fatty fruit with a nutty taste, which are very effective at reducing stress.
Reduce Stress/Prevent Aging/Reduce Blood Pressure
4. Blackberries/Raspberries
Blackberries are one of the most nutritious fruits. The more wild varieties, such as dew berries are much more potent.
Reduce Stress/Prevent Aging/Boost Immune System/Improve Eyesight
5. Fish, Salmon
Salmon contains fatty oils and B vitamins helping your heart, brain and it tastes pretty good.
Reduce Stress/Reduce Acne/Boost Immune System/Improve Eyesight
6. Soy Beans
Soy beans reduce those senses of anger and are extremely healthy in almost every way.
Reduce Stress/Reduce Blood Pressure/Reduce Acne/Improve Eyesight
7. Spinach
Spinach is a super leafy vegetable that helps you live a longer, happier life.
Reduce Stress/Prevent Aging/Reduce Blood Pressure/Improve Eyesight
8. Blueberries
Blueberries are famous for helping you maintain good eyesight, particularly the bilberry in europe. The wild varities are always best.
Reduce Stress/Prevent Aging/Reduce Blood Pressure/Improve Eyesight
9. Fish, Tuna
Tuna falls in the same category as Salmon, though not as potent. Choose light tuna only, others have mercury.
Reduce Stress/Reduce Blood Pressure/Boost Immune System/Improve Eyesight
10. Beans (black, white, navy, lima, pinto, kidney)
Beans are good for digestion, your heart, and your overall health.
Reduce Stress/Reduce Blood Pressure/Reduce Acne
11. Strawberries
Strawberries taste good and relax you as you eat them. The smaller, more wild varities offer better taste and are more nutritious.
Reduce Stress/Prevent Aging/Boost Immune System
12. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a must. They can fit in a wide variety of recipies and are extremely easy to grow.
Reduce Stress/Prevent Aging/Reduce Blood Pressure
13. Whole grain cereal, wheat, oats, oatmeal, Quinoa
These cereals aren’t just good for your heart!
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14. Broccoli
Broccoli has that irrestiable taste, especially served with cheese!
Reduce Stress/Reduce Blood Pressure/Improve Eyesight
15. Carrots
Carrots are famous for eye health, but did you know if you eat enough of them, your skin will turn an orange hue?
Reduce Stress/Reduce Acne/Improve Eyesight
16. Eggs
Eggs are a staple in many European diets and though they have high amounts of energy, they are relaxing.
Reduce Stress/Boost Immune System/Improve Eyesight
17. Fish, halibut/herring/mackerel
Tuna and Salmon aren’t the only fish that are super healthy. These salt water fish are extremely good for you.
Reduce Stress/Reduce Blood Pressure/Improve Eyesight
18. Kale
Kale is the only other leafy green on the list other than spinach. It’s healthy too, in its own right.
Reduce Stress/Prevent Aging/Improve Eyesight
19. Onions
Onions are in the same family as garlic and are famous for being good for your heart.
Reduce Stress/Reduce Blood Pressure/Improve Eyesight
20. Walnuts
Walnuts were a surprising addition and almonds are close, but these nuts sure are relaxing..
Reduce Stress/Prevent Aging/Improve Eyesight

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8 Basic Steps of Meditation

April 12th, 2010
Here are the 8 basic steps of meditation:
1. Make time to meditate. Set aside enough time in your daily routine for meditating. The effects of meditation are most noticeable when you do it regularly and consistently rather than sporadically.
Some people will find a five minute meditation worthwhile, for others, the benefits of longer meditation are well worth the time. You can meditate at any time of day; some people like to start their day off with meditation, others like to end the day by clearing their mind, and some prefer to find refuge in meditation in the middle of a busy day. Generally, however, the easiest time to meditate is in the morning, before the day’s events tire your body out and give your mind more to think about. Don’t meditate immediately following a meal, or when you are likely to be hungry. The body’s digestive system can be very distracting.
2. Find or create a quiet, relaxing environment. It’s especially important, when you’re starting out, to avoid any obstacles to attention. Turn off any TV sets, phone(s) or other noisy appliances. If you play music, make sure it’s calm, repetitive and gentle, so as not to break your concentration. Meditating outside can be conducive, as long as you don’t sit near a busy roadway or another source of loud noise.
3. Sit on level ground. Sit on a cushion if the ground is uncomfortable. You don’t have to twist your limbs into the lotus position or adopt any unusual postures. The important thing is to keep your back straight, as this will help with breathing later on.
You can also meditate on a chair. Make sure your back is straight (whether you lean against the chair or sit free does not matter). Your feet should rest solidly on the ground.
Any position in which you’re relaxed but your back is straight is permissible, even lying down – but be careful that you’re not so relaxed that you fall asleep. In warm weather, consider watching the clouds.
4. Keep your eyes half-open without focusing on anything. If this is too distracting or difficult, close them or find something steady to focus on such as a small candle flame.
5. Breathe deeply and slowly from your abdomen rather than your chest. You should feel your stomach rise and fall while your chest stays relatively still. Healthy, stress relieving breathing may be done by inhaling for count of 3, exhaling for count of 6, repeat over and over for 15 to 20 minutes. This expels the used air and more completely oxygenates your blood, lowering heart rate and blood pressure. Many high blood pressure patients have dropped their blood pressure as much as 50 points, allowing them to decrease or eliminate the need for medication. This breathing exercise should be done on a regular basis.
6. Relax every muscle in your body. Don’t rush this, as it takes time to fully relax. Do it bit by bit, starting at your toes, and working up to your head, until the tension melts away.
7. Focus your attention. You may notice that your mind wants to wander, bouncing from thought to thought, making observations about other things. Gently bring your attention back to a single point until it rests there naturally. The goal is to allow the “chattering” in your mind to gradually fade away. Find an “anchor” to settle your mind.
Let your attention rest on the flow of your breath. Listen to it, follow it, but make no judgments on it (such as “It sounds a little raspy…maybe I’m getting a cold?”).
To overcome verbal chatter, recite a mantra (repetition of a sacred word). A single word like “aum” uttered at a steady rhythm is best. You can recite it verbally or just with the voice in your mind. Beginners may find it easier to count their breaths. Try counting your breath from 1 to 10, then simply start again at 1.
To circumvent images that keep intruding on your thoughts, visualize a place that calms you. It can be real or imaginary. Imagine you are at the top of a staircase leading to a peaceful place. Count your way down the steps until you are peaceful and relaxed.
For some people, focusing attention on a point or object does exactly the opposite of what meditation is all about. It takes you back to the life of ‘focus’, ‘concentration’, ’strain’. In this case, as an alternative to the above techniques, some meditators recommend un-focusing your attention. Instead of focusing attention on a point or an object, this type of meditation is achieved by attaining a state of zero. Take your attention above all thoughts till a point you lose all attention and all thoughts.
8. Silence your mind. Once you’ve trained your mind to focus on just one thing at a time, the next step is focus on nothing at all, essentially “clearing” your mind. This requires tremendous discipline but is the pinnacle of meditation. After focusing on a single point as described in the previous step, you can either cast it away, or observe it impartially and let it come and then go, without labeling it as “good” or “bad”. Take the same approach to any thoughts which return to your mind until silence perseveres.

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Welcome to RelaxScene.com!

April 12th, 2010

This website will be updated shortly with all things that relax you! Right now, as you see above, the logo and links don’t even work. Relax, check back tomorrow and it will all be working..

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