There are some misconceptions surrounding meditation.  Meditation does not need to be performed while sitting in a quiet room.  Meditation in actuality has many different forms and can be practiced in various ways.  The method of choice depends on what is most appropriate for the individual.  Meditation can be practiced while playing a video game for instance, or while walking on one of Ventura County’s beaches. 

Object Oriented Meditation

One can use physical objects, or tools to meditate.  Examples of tools include yarn and knitting needles, or a block of wood and sand paper.  An object or multiple objects provide the focus.  The important part is these objects are not stress inducing.  Tax forms, for example, are for most people, not a good example of appropriate objects for meditation.   

Object oriented meditation can involve something as complex as a movie, or as simple as a glass of water.  One form of meditation is to place an object in front of you, and sit in a comfortable position and focus on that object for an extended period of time.  What is the shape of the object?  Where are the small details?  How would I paint such an object?  Such meditation was practiced by Japanese artists in ancient Japan before painting a particular subject.  The result was beautiful pieces of art that represented the true essence of the subject matter.

Non-object Oriented Meditation

One can also not use physical objects to meditate.  This form of meditation can be more challenging.  We must focus on something intangible such as an image of an object in our minds, or our breath.  This leads to fantastic metal discipline.  One meditation exercise is to sit in a chair or on the ground.  Begin to take deep breaths.  Inhale through your abdomen, and fill your belly first and then your lungs with air.  Release with a long and slow breath.  Meditate on your breathing.  Notice the rhythm of your breathing resembles that of ocean waves.  DO NOT focus on anything other than your breathing.  When another thought enters your mind, slowly let it fade away.  Become enveloped in your breathing.  Some people find music, candles, or essential oils helpful.

At first, you’ll find external thoughts entering your mind every few seconds.  Over time, the time will increase to every thirty seconds, to every minute, to every three minutes.  Meditation will become increasingly enjoyable and almost second hand nature.  You will learn to control your mind, and not let it control you.  You will learn how to easily access a state of meditation.  When confronting the anxieties of daily life, you will be able to stop, take a deep breath, and bring your mind to a good place.  In these good places we find strength and confidence to overcome life’s obstacles.

Meditation does not need to only involve sitting.  One can exercise and meditate at the same time.  Exercising while meditating can simultaneously invigorate and cleanse the mind.  Examples of meditative exercises are jogging and skiing.  Famous eastern forms of exercise and meditation include Yoga and Ti Chi.

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