MEDITATION

Discipline in which the mind is focused on a single point of reference. Employed since ancient times in various forms by all religions, the practice gained greater notice in the postwar U.S. as interest in Zen Buddhism rose. Meditation is now used by many nonreligious adherents as a method of stress reduction; known to lower levels of cortisol, a hormone released in response to stress. Enhances recuperation and improves the body’s resistance to disease.

(See also: MEDITATION, Alternative Health, Healing, Body Mind and Soul)

smarana (m)

The devotional practice of remembering or meditating on the Supreme Lord, especially by focusing on His names, forms, pastimes, and devotees.

(See also: smarana, Bhakti, Bhakti Yoga, Bhakti Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul)

Nada: Inner sounds that may be heard during advanced stages of meditation; nada may take the form of sounds such as bells, the blowing of a conch, and thunder.

(See also: Nada, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Mandala

(Sanskrit - circle) A design of lines, forms and colors, usually circular, used in meditation to focus attention to a single point.

(See also: Mandala, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Mandala

(Sanskrit - circle) A design of lines, forms and colors, usually circular, used in meditation to focus attention to a single point.

(See also: Mandala, New Age Spirituality, Body Mind and Soul)

Chakra Innertuning Therapy: Form of chakra healing that involves diet, dream interpretation, meditation, yoga, and the use of mantras.

(See also: Chakra Innertuning Therapy, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

angelic healing: any form of channeling, intercessory prayer, meditation, or visualization that involves the therapeutic assistance of angels. Its principle is that angels invisibly guide, protect, and heal people.

(See also: Angelic healing, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Vipassana

"To see things as they really are", many forms of passive or insightful meditation aimed at heightening one's awareness, releasing previously suppressed thoughts and feelings and developing a natural system of biofeedback

(See also: Vipassana, Body Mind and Soul)

psychospiritual holistic healing: A form of psychotherapy that includes chakra healing, inner child therapy, meditation, and positive thinking.

(See also: Psychospiritual holistic healing, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Dhyana

The practice of concentration--i.e., meditation. Also, more specifically, the four form concentrations and the four formless concentrations.

 (See also: Dhyana, Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Shandilya Upanishad: (Sanskrit) Belongs to the Atharva Veda. Discusses eight forms of yoga, restraints, observances, breath control, meditation and the nature of Truth.

(See also: Shandilya Upanishad, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Samadhi: A state of higher concentration in meditation. There are three stages in Buddhism (preparation, beginning, and attainment of concentration). Samadhi is the eighth element in the classical path of Yoga, meaning absorption, becoming one with, harmonizing. There are two forms of samadhi in Yoga (with and without support). The greater form of samadhi in Yoga is without support.

 (See also: Samadhi, Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

kammatthana (kamma.t.thaana): Literally, "basis of work" or "place of work". The word refers to the "occupation" of a meditating monk: namely, the contemplation of certain meditation themes by which the forces of defilement (kilesa), craving (tanha), and ignorance (avijja) may be uprooted from the mind. In the ordination procedure, every new monk is taught five basic kammatthana that form the basis for contemplation of the body: hair of the head (kesa), hair of the body (loma), nails (nakha), teeth (danta), and skin (taco).

By extension, the kammatthana include all the forty classical meditation themes. Although every meditator may be said to engage in kammatthana, the term is most often used to identify the particular Thai forest tradition lineage that was founded by Phra Ajaan Mun and Phra Ajaan Sao.

 (See also: Kammatthana, Buddhism, Body Mind and Soul)

Karuna Reiki (Karuna; called Sai Baba Reiki before early 1995): Form of Reiki named and taught by Reiki Master William Lee Rand, author of Reiki, The Healing Touch.

Karuna Reiki encompasses guided meditation and healing shadow self-meditation. The Sanskrit word karuna is translatable as compassionate action. Karuna Reiki's focus is development of karuna. It conduces to working closely with all enlightened beings, including those present in spirit.

(See also: Karuna Reiki, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

WITCHES LADDER: A length of cord that has been knotted to hold feathers, shells, stones or other objects. Used primarily as a form of cord magic it can additionally be used in a similar fashion as a Witch's rosary of sorts with specific meditative bids and prayers as it is moved through the hands.

(See also: WITCHES LADDER, Witch, Witchcraft, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Tai Ji , T'ai Chi, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Chuan , Tai-ji, Tai Ji Quan, Taiji, Taijiquan:

One of the MARTIAL ARTS and also a form of meditative exercise using methodically slow circular stretching movements and positions of body balance.

(See also: Tai Ji, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Cin-mudra:

Cin-mudra ("consciousness seal"): a common hand gesture (mudra) in meditation (dhyana), which is formed by bringing the tips of the index finger and the thumb together, while the remaining fingers are kept straight

(See also: Cin-mudra, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Whole Person Bodywork (Whole Person work): Form of chakra healing promoted by Stacey Griffin. It includes energetic field work (see energy field work) and meditation.

(See also: Whole Person Bodywork, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Resonant Kinesiology SM (RK): Meditative, educational form of bodywork pioneered and taught by Susan Gallagher Borg, B.A., author of Sing Your Body. One of RK's principles is that human bodies are a metaphors for beliefs. when Resonant Kinesiologists work, they relate to clients in a vibrational manner.

(See also: Resonant Kinesiology, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Visualization: 1. Forming clear mental images often used in magic to focus and direct energy to a visualized goal. 2. Imagining a scene, a person, or an object with intense clarity, this is often done through a meditation.

(See also: Visualization, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Okinawan karate (Shorin Ryu karate): Meditative form of karate that, frees the minds of practitioners, nourishes their spirits, and strengthens their bodies. Shorin Ryu is the technical name for a style and school of Okinawan karate.

(See also: Okinawan karate, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Lesser Kan & Li (Sexual Alchemy): Form of meditation whose theory posits chi, core energy channels, higher energy bodies, and internal male and female sexual energies (which are mixable in self-intercourse).

(See also: Lesser Kan & Li, Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)