Many people usually think mediation is for monks, nuns, priests, and yoga practitioners, but mediation is for everyone, including Pagans, Wiccans, and Earth-based religion followers. Meditation can help you communicate with your higher consciousness as well as the God and Goddess or your 'higher power.'

The benefits of mediation are many, including relaxing the mind and body. Done properly it can reduce stress, and it also may have a positive impact on health as a result. Of course, mediation cannot make up for poor eating habits and bodily neglect, but better to work on one crutch at a time.

Mediation periods can be as short as ten to twenty minutes and last up to hours depending on your available free time. I recommend starting with ten minutes a day by just relaxing your body whether it be in a chair at your desk, or sitting comfortably on pillows tossed across the floor. The important thing is that you do not lay down, doing so might induce a nap and defeat the whole purpose of mediating.

Start by getting comfortable and uncross your arms and legs, if in a chair. If you are on the floor relax in a indian style sitting position, or a position that you feel comfortable in, and let your arms and hands rest on your legs naturally or fall to your side. Slowly close your eyes and let the stress of the day or night drift away by envisioning a bright white light that streams in through the top of your head and extends through your body and out through your hands and feet. Keep visualizing this and try not to allow your mind to drift. The trick here is to concentrate fully on the white light. If a thought comes into your head, acknowledge it and let it go and return to the visualization.

See any disease or stress wash away leaving your body clean and renewed. The white light is washing your body from head to toe. Actually see in your mind's eye the stress, disease, and toxins as black worms or speckles, all the heartaches being cleansed from your body leaving through your feet and arms and dropping back into Mother Earth where is can be cleansed and reused for good purposes.

After you feel your body has been sufficiently charged and cleansed let your mind slowly come back to where you are sitting. Allow your eyes to open and take a moment before standing. For some it would be advisable to get a drink of water or a noncarborated, or caffeine free beverage to replenish the body.

Remember to start off slow, and work up to a time length that you will feel comfortable with. Some tips for successful mediation is to incorporate what makes you comfortable, whether burning incense in a flameproof burner accompanied by some of your favorite relaxing music. Try different things to encourage yourself to continue and soon you will benefit from the wonders of connecting with your inner self and the higher powers. You may even begin to get messages for yourself or others and I advise you to write these down right away so you do not forget them.

Also, you may wish to chant while you perform your mediation. A simple Ohmmmm is fine or whatever word or sound you would like to make, as long as it distracts your mind from what needs to be done or take place in an hour.

I dont recommend to breath deeply, as with some people with medical conditions known or not, may cause them to experience problems, and as always consult with your doctor before starting any type of breathing exercises or exercise programs period.

Blessed be )O(