Meditation Training can Peace to the World

Posted on May 31, 2012October 14, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Meditation Training can Peace to the World

A young man in a meditation pose — Meditation training can help you reach a new level of mental clarity.

For most of my life, even before I knew what I was doing, I have engaged in meditation. There is something about the simple centeredness I feel after meditating that unleashes my productive power during the day and leaves me feeling content and happy with my day’s work when I go to sleep at night. Recently I lost my day job, though, and I have been thinking about how to make some money and explore my interest in meditation by teaching the theory and practice to others. As a result, I have begun researching meditation training programs to get certified as a teacher, making myself more attractive to would-be employers and clients. The programs do not look overly taxing, and I look forward to getting a comprehensive body of knowledge about this important and, I think, useful skill. I look forward to bringing a small measure of peace to the people that I reach.
For more information on how to meditate or meditation certifications please go to our webpage.

What Is Transcendental Meditation?

Posted on May 28, 2012October 14, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

A man floating in a bubble with space as a background — Transcendental meditation can take you wherever your mind is willing to lead.

You may have at one time or another have asked yourself what is transcendental meditation and failed to get a comprehensive and right answer. Well, here is the answer. This is an effortless and natural procedure that is practiced for around twenty minutes on a daily basis with the eyes closed while one is comfortably seated. Research has shown that this is one of the most widely and also one of the most effective methods that anyone can use for self improvement. It has benefits that are gained through a self healing natural process that releases stress when a person practices.

What Is Transcendental Meditation?

This meditation technique is one of a kind. So far, it is the only technique that has over 500 studies that are all independent and that seek to support it’s claims. Researchers carried the research in over 200 different research institutes and universities in over 33 countries. Results of this research have been published in more than 100 respected journals worldwide including the Scientific American Journal and also the American Journal of Psychology. One of the main strengths of this meditation technique is the fact that it involves no belief system of any kind. In fact, those who believe that this meditation technique cannot work are the ones who are most encouraged to try it out.
It allows the mind to settle in a state that it is beyond thought so as to experience thought which is pure awareness or otherwise known as transcendental consciousness. Research has actually proven that this is the most peaceful and silent level of consciousness whereby one actually connects to his/her inner soul. It is only during this state of mental alertness that the brain is able to function with a better and greater coherence while the body gains deep rest. Those who are successful with it just make sure that they create a state of restful alertness where they remain very aware but the body and mind remain in a very deep state.
This state of brainwave activity represents a state of consciousness which is totally different from walking, dreaming, all states of dreaming and also waking up. Through this technique, the body benefits a lot. Researchers believe that the body is actually replenished therefore making it very easy for it to derive all the benefits. Around the world, it is believed that over 5 million people have learned this natural and simple technique. The funny thing is that contrary to what many of us might think, it is all the different ages and not only one specific age group that know the benefits that this technique comes with.
This technique is based on the Vedic tradition which is a form of enlightenment in India. This tradition was handed over by the Vedic masters from one generation to the other for over a thousand years. About 50 years ago, the man who we can call our present Vedic representative introduced this technique to the world. This came at a time when the world we are living in needs one to have a better and higher experience of consciousness. The best thing with this technique is the fact that the original and the present techniques are just the same because those who teach it do exactly how it was taught thousands of years ago.
This technique got into the limelight few decades back when an Indian student brought it into the United States in 1971. However, it is only after Dev’s (the Vedic representative of our generation) death in 1953 that he became really serious with preaching it. The student first of all became a repulsive monk before spreading it in cities. It slowly and quietly gained acceptance and popularity when people from different countries of the world began to visit Maharishi (the name of the student) in India to learn it.
All said and done, this techniques has and will remain on the front line when all matters related to being of benefit to those who practice it are concerned. Presently, it is one of the most popular and beneficial mind consciousness and alertness techniques and it has gained a lot of reputation and acceptance too from the general public. Many practitioners from different parts of the world have also joined the bandwagon that seeks to make it accessible and known to as many people as possible everywhere in the world.
To learn more about meditation and meditation techniques please go to our webpage.

Christian Meditation with God and Differences of East and West

Posted on May 25, 2012October 14, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Meditative Union

For most people, meditation is a serious element of their spiritual life. With diet fads, Eastern Yoga retreats, Holistic revolutions and better health prompting many people to utilize meditation in their life, it is of no wonder why to many that meditation is not just another healthy life style instead of a theological and spiritual union with God.

While religious experience is the primary motive in these Eastern meditative methods, one can see that the idea of Christianity and other monotheistic creeds greatly differs in theology. The purpose of Monotheistic meditation is to become closer to God in a creator and creation relationship. With this different end goal, one may ask does it matter which road one takes to reach these states?Yes, meditation can spring forth physical wellness that stems from spiritual renewal, but this is only a side effect not the primary purpose for religious minded people. People use meditation to become closer to God. Meditation allows the soul to escape the noise of the conscious and external world and find the silence and solitude of God’s spirit. In meditiation a deeper union is granted to people who yet still trapped within a temporal reality can taste a small portion of the eschatological reality. In some ways, for those who are spiritually gifted and alive, meditation can take one to the brink of the beatific vision.

Christian Meditation Opposes Eastern Meditation

While union with God is always the key of meditation, Christian meditation greatly differs from Eastern meditation. Eastern meditation seeks the divine, but its theological basis of the divine greatly differs from Western theism. The idea of God as a being is completely different in Eastern thought. In fact, Hinduism teaches that Brahma, the principle name for the divine, is in many ways like a blazing fire that releases sparks, called Atman. Atamn is divine spark of all souls in the temporal reality. It is the purpose of meditation to help reconnect and to be reabsorbed into this divine essence. Another example is Buddhism. Buddhism teaches that the purpose of meditation is to help one reach a state of Nirvana where one can escape suffering and existence itself.Christian meditation looks towards prayer, scripture and Christ to help creation become closer to creator
The reality is from a Monotheistic perspective, some Eastern meditative techniques may be spiritually harmful in the way they open one’s mind and spirit to outside sources. Monotheistic meditation does not seek to escape the body but hopes to elevate the entire nature of man in union with God. The body too must share in the beatific vision, while in the East, the body is a prison and only a temporary home of the soul.

With these sharp theological differences, one can see that meditation brings one closer to God, but for different reasons based on different perceptions of divine reality and human existence. Hence it is important for someone entering into meditation, especially those of Western theology, to clearly understand their end goal and to properly correlate approved meditative practices that coincide with the theology of monotheism.
Those, however, who seek other ends that do not correlate with monotheistic theology and its ends, may find Eastern goals to be more what they find to be true and seek these practices more enthuastically.
If you are interested in meditation education, please review the program. Please also keep in mind, if you are trained in a more Christian or monothesitic background to review our Christian programs as well.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

A Meditation Guide for Mental Clarity

Posted on May 22, 2012October 14, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Beautiful woman in a bikini meditating at the beach — A woman find time for daily meditation.

Many see meditation has strange, weird or foreign. Others see meditating as a spiritual or religious practice. For those that know how to meditate, they know its true meaning. When you meditate you are simply becoming aware of what you are doing and who you are. This could mean focusing on an aspect of yourself or focusing on nothing at all and enjoying the silence. When we use meditation to become aware of ourselves, we often learn. We learn about what matters and how to deal with what does not. Through daily meditation we can embrace love and reject stress. We can prioritize our day to make space for what really matters. Daily meditating can bring a peace to our lives that many are silently crying out for. How can you achieve this freedom you ask? An excellent article details how:

A Meditation Guide for Mental Clarity

The article, “GPS to a Quiet Mind: 6 Meditative Steps to Freedom”, by Ed and Deb Shapiro states

“Meditation is simple and transformative, yet it is highly misunderstood. Some people think it is about controlling our mind or stopping our thinking, while others see it as both weird and wacky or boring and meaningless.”

For the full article please go here.

Meditation does not have to take all day either. Use these 6 steps to find your center and make meditating a daily practice in your life.
If you want to learn more about meditation then you should check out our page.

Benefits of Meditation From A Theological Perspective

Posted on May 18, 2012October 14, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Theological Meditative Benefits

Many of us are aware of the physical benefits of meditation. However, those are side benefits and not the primary reason why one should utilize meditation in one’s prayer life. Meditation’s ultimate purpose is to unite one with God.
Whether one approaches meditation from an Eastern or Western theological point of view, the ultimate purpose is spiritual renewal and connection with God. The benefits of this are beyond

measure because they are spiritual in nature.
Whether one refers to such union as increase of grace or spiritual awakening, one cannot deny the inner peace, focus, clarity, and understanding one achieves when meditation is properly applied to one’s prayer life. The inner workings of God, his grace, and his serenity are applied to the soul and re-energizes the it.
This spiritual feeding of the soul, allows one to grow spiritually and to better communicate and share the love of God with the world. Ultimately this is the purpose of meditation. To find God and to share God with the world. Meditation is not a selfish individual endeavor as many think, but is an action that purifies oneself so oneself can help purify the world.
If you are interested in Meditation Certification, please review the program.

Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Learn to Meditate with Congressman Ryan

Posted on May 17, 2012October 14, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Learn to Meditate

Congressman Tim Ryan (D-Oh) insists that meditation is the answer! An expert in mindfulness meditation, the Congressman has written a new book that has just recently been released by Hay House publishers. The book is a real eye-opener for those who have little knowledge and experience in the practice of mindfulness. The Congressman’s quest is to introduce mindfulness into our schools, our work places, etc., thus creating a more mindful and peaceful nation. This article is highly recommended, as well as the accompanying video.

The article, “Meditating with Tim Ryan”, by Patrick Gavin states

“Rep. Tim Ryan may have once been a typical politician, but no longer: The Ohio Democrat has traded in the hurried mentality that dominates Capitol Hill for a more Zen-like approach.
Literally.”

Can Meditating Help Mothers?

Posted on May 16, 2012October 14, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

A lady meditating in a garden. — Motherhood is stressful. Meditating can help reduce that stress.

Meditating is an excellent way to keep focused and prevent burnout. It is no wonder why more and more mothers are turning to it. Meditation helps working moms or stay at home moms reduce their stress and keep a higher level of focus. Mothers can meditate by themselves or get together with friends and meditate as a group. Group meditation can be an excellent for beginners to learn how to meditate. For more please review this article:

Can Meditating Help Mothers?

The article, “Meditating Moms: A Silent Revolution”, by Jeanne Ball states

“Intuition, patience, wisdom, love — all the divine qualities associated with motherhood often depend on how rested we are, how aligned we are with our own inner voice and deepest source of nourishment.”

For the full article please go here.

Once you learn to make time for daily meditation, meditating will be easy to fit into any schedule. If you want to learn more about meditation then you should look at our website.

Working Meditation into Your Life.

Posted on May 15, 2012October 13, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

A woman working in daily meditation during her job

Wondering how you can make time for meditation in your daily life? You are not alone. Many people every day go without the benefits of meditation because they are “too busy”. Meditating does not take long and daily meditation can help reduce stress and help with relaxation. How to meditate you ask? Simply just do it when you have a free moment. You could be waiting for the mail, at the doctor’s office, when you first wake up, or before you go to bed. It is easy to fit mediation into your daily life.

Working Meditation into Your Life.

The article, “Five ways to incorporate meditation into your life”, by Robert Piper states

“Meditation is an incredible tool that has been used for thousands of years in eastern spiritual traditions of India, Tibet, and China. Most recently, it has been used in western medicine to work with pain, stress, and even by American Troops suffering from PTSD.”

For the full list please go here.

Now that you know how to work meditation into your daily life, it is up to you to actually do it.
If you are interested in learning how to meditate or meditation in general please visit our webpage.

St. Ignatius and Meditative Prayer

Posted on May 3, 2012October 13, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

St. Ignatius and Methods of Praying

St. Ignatius had a detailed methodology on meditative prayer in his Spiritual Exercises. Within his methodology one can find the primary elements of prayer which include adoration, contrition, petition and thanksgiving. However, more emphasis is given on adoration, contrition and thanksgiving than petition. Petition correlates with the will of the Father and the not the individual will.

Contemplation is found in the second method. When one is praying a particular prayer whether it is the Our Father or Hail Mary, one is to remember to reflect on the meaning of each word during a one hour session. If one dwells on one word longer and it takes up the whole hour, then one should continue the next day on the next word. One is to not rush the images and meanings that come to one from the Holy Spirit during this deep contemplation.
Finally, St. Ignatius while promoting freedom of thought nevertheless finds value in ritual prayer. While praying ritualistic and written prayers, St. Ignatius emphasizes that one should employ the rhythmic functions of the body during prayer. As one recites a word, he or she should reflect between breathes on the meaning of the word. In this way, the prayer is said within a reasonable time but with deep reflection in a meditative state.
Christian Counseling and Spiritual Counseling should emphasize these methods of prayer. Whether the pray encompasses one or all four of the purposes of prayer, each prayer can reach higher states of union with God by the methods suggested by St. Ignatius. Through these relaxed contemplative states, one can reap a higher spiritual yield while in communication with God.

By Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C

Ignatian Meditation

Posted on May 3, 2012October 13, 2022 by Dominick Flarey

Ignatian Meditation

St. Ignatius Loyola presented a disciplined version of meditation that while disciplined also gave freedom to the soul to explore numerous images of contemplation about Christ and sin. As founder of the Jesuits, he incorporated a military type religious movement that not only characterized his order but also his meditation techniques. This disciplined form of meditation is key in helping the soul overcome the weakness of one’s fallen nature and creating a soul better equipped to reform and avoid sin. Christian Counselors as well as merely spiritual counselors can all find value in the writings of St. Ignatius and his spiritual exercises in regards to meditation.

One of the primary themes found in meditation by St. Ignatius is his great emphasis on sin and repentance. Many of the contemplations deal directly with the soul’s sins and how horrible sin is to the life of the soul. Hence many reflections revolve around the passion of Christ, Hell, and how sin has corrupted the human race. It is St. Ignatius’ goal to inspire within the soul a complete aversion of sin via perfect contrition that burns for the love of Christ.
This Christocentric form of meditation is obviously best suited for Christian Counseling but the rich spiritual nature of the meditations and exercises can also be applied to general spiritual counseling because it focuses on discernment and vocational choices as well. While Christocentric, the primary goal is help the soul escape sin and rid itself of earthly attachments. This is the key for most meditative processes.

By Mark Moran, MA, GC-C, SCC-C