Basic teaching on meditation

Meditation Practice

Sit in a comfortable position so that you can sit still for a period of time
Close your eyes if that will help.
Relax your body part by part, so in the end there is no tension in your body. Pay attention to your shoulders, back, jaw and around the eyes.
Listen to the sounds around you, before you tune out to them. If any sound disturbs your meditation, allow it to bring you back into attentiveness. Focus on your breath. Observe it going in and out. Pay attention to it. Do not pay attention to thoughts that come and go.
If you like, use a mantra like “Maranatha” or “Jesu, Abba” and place it on your breath.
If your attention strays, just return to your breath and/or your mantra.

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As Taught by Centering Prayer: The Guidelines

1. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
2. Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within.
3. When engaged with your thoughts*, return ever-so gently to the sacred word.
4. At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.

Click to access methodcp2008.pdf

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As taught by the World Community of Christian Meditation

Sit down. Sit still with your back straight. Close your eyes lightly. Then interiorly, silently begin to recite a single word – a prayer word or mantra. We recommend the ancient Christian prayer-word “Maranatha”. Say it as four equal syllables. Breathe normally and give your full attention to the word as you say it, silently, gently, faithfully and above all – simply. The essence of meditation is simplicity. Stay with the same word during the whole meditation and from day to day. Don’t visualise but listen to the word as you say it. Let go of all thoughts (even good thoughts), images and other words. Don’t fight your distractions but let them go by saying your word faithfully, gently and attentively and returning to it immediately that you realise you have stopped saying or it or when your attention is wandering.
http://www.wccm.org/content/what-meditation

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