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| Is there a difference between the two? I really need to relax and was thinking of doing meditation (in addition to my asana practice).
Which one would be more useful in the long term?
I need to lower my level of anxiety. I have had a trauma fill childhood and although I'm out of that environment now, the general anxiety I used to live with (for good reason) is still around.
Any inputs would be greatly appreciated,
Namaste
Neenoon
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| Sometimes these two terms are used with an overlapped meaning. At other times, Meditation means a more serious practice than relaxation. However, relaxation is must for meditation in a serious sense, that is unless you are relaxed you can not do serious meditation. Now, serious meditation practice is also defined differently by differnt people. So, one may not agree with my statement about relaxation. Therefore, what I suggest is:
- find some yoga teachers in your possibility who are depicting the qualities you want to achieve
- and take their instruction.
Neel |
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| after asanas and the corpse pose you can try a breathing exercise followed by meditation. In my opnion relaxation preceeds meditation, how can you meditate if your not relaxed, I have never achieved stressful meditation. |
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| Thank you both for your input. I may not be as mixed up as I thought.
I'll keep trying to find a better balance of stress vs relaxation in my life, and add meditation when it feels appropriate and possible.
Namaste
Nee
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| Best luck. Remember your avatar while relaxing.
NeeNoon - 2007-10-11 6:52 AM
Thank you both for your input. I may not be as mixed up as I thought. |
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| I think that people often call physical relaxation "relaxation" and mental relaxation "meditation". As Neel said, the two are related. I think that the combination of physical and mental relaxation is the beginning of meditation. There is a lot more to meditation than just relaxing, but that is probably way beyond an internet forum. |
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| As others have said, meditation and relaxation join at one point, as relaxation is essential to meditation. But the point of meditation is much more than physical/mental ease. It is the reconnection with your essential nature, the reintegration of the fragmented aspects of the personality. And in the highest sense, the Realization of God.
I encourage you to aim high, and strive through meditation for this worthy goal.
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| Most people when they here about mediation there first response is "it must be relaxing". No doubt it is but meditation goes far beyond relaxation.
Meditation requires a high level of awareness. It is basically being aware of your awareness. Through meditation you can overcome the trauma's you have encountered in your life. Your trauma's leave a footprint on your psyche. Meditation will remove it over time. much like an onion having layers upon layer, mediation will remove your old impressions layer by layer. How do I know? Because it has done so for me.
There is only one way to find out. Go on the journey. |
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| Dittos to Ram. It is good that the high purpose of meditation is remembered. Side benefits are great, but should not be mistaken for the goal.
Edited by ReddyKilowatt 2007-12-01 3:02 PM
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| Relaxation is just one of the many side effects of meditation. |
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