In this chaotic, busy world we are rarely quiet, rarely able to find the time to be silent. How can we listen if the noise around us, surrounding us, drowns out what song sings within, what peace resides within? From all I have read and experienced, silence is a requirement of any successful meditation session.
 

At first it may seem difficult. For have you not lived your life surrounded by sound of some sort, whether it be the TV, the radio, another's voice, birds chirping, wind blowing, cars honking? Irregardless. Within you there is a silence that cannot be obscured by anything found in the world you see before you. Find a place to be silent in comfort, and if you need to put a "Do Not Disturb" sign. You are entitled to this time, to this silence.
 

Therefore, be patient and gentle with yourself in discovering this silence. No force is necessary. Be still. Let your thoughts of ego, your thoughts of what you must do next, your worries, your concerns pass away. There is the silence within you. It cannot be otherwise. For it is a gift. It is a birthright. It is where you find All...and come to Love.
 

Breathing is more important than one might realize at first. If you're panting or breathing hard it is going to be difficult to relax and be peaceful.
 

So, start off by focusing on your breathing. Take deep (but not too deep) breaths and slowly let your body fall into its natural breathing rhythms. You'll know when you've achieved this when you notice that you no longer focus on your breathing. You'll be breathing naturally, softly, regularly, without strain.
 

When you are breathing in such a way, it will be much easier to go within to the stillness. One less thing to be constantly thinking about. Let it happen naturally. Your body knows what to do. It will breathe in its own quiet rhthym without your control.
 

Breathe, breathe, breathe....in peace.
 

Another facet of meditation is the ability to relax totally. Not just "thinking" you are relaxed. But actually being relaxed. Every muscle smooth, every sense of stress erased, your body a pool of peace.
 

Not easy to achieve at first. But, again, with practice you'll find it becomes easier and easier. A good way of getting your muscles to relax is to begin slowly tensing and then relaxing your muscles. Start with your forehead, moving on to your jaw, then your neck, then shoulders and on down to your toes. Tense the muscles for a few seconds and then relax them. See how well the muscles relax; repeat if necessary.
 

Once you are totally relaxed, and breathing evenly and slowly you are ready to begin your meditation session. You can meditate lying down or sitting comfortably. Below are some meditations that I do for myself. However, feel free to experiment in whatever works best for you. There is no "right" way to meditate. So, enjoy the experimentation!
 

{ Note: a really great set of tapes for meditating to is the Brain Wave suite from Dr. Jeffrey Thompson. Most likely you can order these online at Amazon.com or check your local book/New Age store.}
 

	This is a simple meditation. On each out-breath say the word "One" (in time with the length of the exhale) softly in your mind.
	Imagine a natural outdoors setting (perhaps somewhere you've been that touched you spiritually or emotionally). For example, you may choose a beach setting. Once you've made the choice then see yourself there, feel the breezes, smell the salt air, listen to the cries of the gulls as they swoop and dance, sense the warm sun all over your body bringing in light and healing. Be there, without distraction or stress. Other settings work just as well: a deep silent forest, sitting on a riverbank, on a hill under the stars.
	This meditation involves focusing on a symbol, object or mandala, and is done with your eyes open. Place the symbol, object or mandala before you and stay focused on it as long as you can. If your eyes stray elsewhere, gently bring your focus back on the symbol, object or mandala.
	Light has great healing and soothing powers. Imagine your body filling up with a soft white light. Bring the light in at the crown of your head and move it downwards into your body. Surround yourself with this light. (I imagine the light of the stars for this particular meditation.)
	Another simple meditation (and one that you can really do anywhere) is to feel yourself breathing in Love and breathing out Peace. This meditation is great if you've been feeling unusually stressed.
	Imagine a cool, soft purple flame. Move the flame within your mind and body, filling your cells. Then move the flame down to your feet and out to the earth. This meditation is a form of cleansing and will leave you feeling refreshed.

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