: Meditation When the pupil is ready, the teacher will come.

Meditation n In simple terms, meditation is a mind-cleansing or emptying process n At a deeper level, meditation is focused concentration and increased awareness of ones being

Meditation n When the mind is emptied of conscious thought –unconscious thoughts can enter the conscious realm –to bring enlightenment to our lives

Types of meditation Exclusive or restrictive meditation Inclusive or opening-up meditation concentration awareness inner peace inner peace

Vehicles for Exclusive Meditation n mental repetition (mantra) n visual concentration (tratek) n repeated sounds (nadem) n physical repetition (breathing, rhythmic exercise) n tactile repetition (beads, shell, stone etc.)

Examples of exclusive meditation n Transcendental Meditation (TM) n The Relaxation Response

Inclusive Meditation n Observance with emotional detachment n Examples include: – Zen Meditation – Mindfulness Mediation

divineenlightenment contemplative thought Koan one with the universe purpose of life Zen Meditation

Split-Brain Theory n left-brain hemisphere – left-brain functions n right-brain hemisphere – right-brain functions n meditation can lead to –an altered state of consciousness –associated with right-brain functions

Altered States of Consciousness Characteristics n time distortion n ineffability n present centeredness n perception distortion n enhanced receptivity n self-transcendence

Physiological Effects of Meditation n decreased oxygen consumption n decreased blood lactate levels n increased skin resistance n decreased heart rate n decreased blood pressure n decreased muscle tension n increased alpha waves