Meditation Tools

When most of us think of meditation we might think of someone sitting in the lotus position with hands held in prayer pose, and with their eyes closed looking very peaceful. I think that those of us who do not meditate don’t do it simply because we think it’s just too difficult. Most people given the opportunity to simply sit still in a quiet place for more than a few moments would simply fall fast asleep because of the levels of stress in their lives and the amount of chaos in their heads. The Buddhists call this the ‘drunken monkey’ who lives in our heads and does not allow us a moment of tranquility and peace. But it is precisely because of that stress and chaos that we must take the time to get away and meditate and create a peaceful space for ourselves.

Medical studies have shown that meditation helps to treat and prevent many illnesses and chronic diseases. Meditation also helps to reduce stress, increase your level of focus, productivity and energy.

Yes, meditation can be challenging at first. Like any new thing that you try it won’t be easy at first, but the more you show up and do it, the more your body and mind will fall into the habit of taking advantage of this time of quiet peace and it will become effortless to enter deeper and deeper states of completely relaxed meditation where you can attain a conscious connection with the Divine and a state of blissful peace within yourself.

Because meditation is rather challenging at first, mankind has devised many different tools and devices to help a person usher in that meditative state more easily. There are several different meditation techniques that if properly employed can radically change your life, your health and your state of mind.

Some Of The Available Meditation Tools Include

Audio: You can listen to guided meditation with an ambient musical track in the background to help you to achieve a relaxed, meditative state. Some people prefer to just listen to ambient music with no voice track. Some people enjoy listening to whale sounds, or sounds of the ocean.

Seats/cushions/mats: These are designed to keep you comfortable so that you can sit in meditation longer.

Meditation beads/totems: Mala beads are used to help keep your mind focused on your meditation practice. They are made from crystal, sandal wood, tulasi wood or rudraksh seeds. The different materials each have different properties that have an effect on the mind of the meditator.

The Tao Totem is another hand held object similar to the mala beads. It's used like a worry stone to help focus the mind of the person holding on to it during meditation.