.jpg "Utkatasana (chair pose)")
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Interested in learning how to meditate but put off by the time and dedication it demands? There is another way, says journalist Martin Drury.
"Sit up, back straight, breathe deeply...." For people struggling to meditate, these words sound deceptively straightforward, but actually describe a process requiring huge reserves of time and commitment.
If traditional meditation seems like too much work, consider the claims of some: that audio technology, self-hypnosis and NLP can help people enter meditative states instantly.
"Accelerated meditation is not about cheating," says hypnotherapist Adam Sargant, "it's about discovering what helps you obtain different states of consciousness.
"Inductions like Betty Erickson's can ease you into a deep trance: notice and comment on three things you see. Then three things you hear and three you feel.
"Repeat the cycle twice, adding two new observations to each sense each time. Repeat it once more. Close your eyes and repeat the whole process from within an imagined scene."
Candle meditation
Best selling self-help author, Glenn Harrold suggests this meditation exercise: "In a darkened room, light a candle and focus on the flame. Notice nothing but the flame.
"Be in the moment, ignoring distractions and thoughts. Breathe deeply, in through your nose and out through your mouth until your mind clears.
Focus on the stillness of the moment and accept everything as it is. Continue to focus on the flame whilst clearing your mind of any thoughts or worries.
Stay in this relaxed state for as long as you like and then blow the candle out. Close your eyes. You'll feel refreshed and relaxed and new ideas and inspiration will come to you."
Kelly Howell's Brain Sync CDs claim to tune your brainwaves to states ideal for meditation.
When precisely tuned sound frequencies are delivered to the brain through stereo headphones, she says, the brain hemispheres function together to hear a phantom signal or "binaural beat".
Brain activity slides into the rhythm of this beat, helping the brain to attain a meditative state normally only attained after years of practice.
The holosync approach
Holosync recordings have helped thousands of people to access meditative states more quickly.
Holosync induces the brain wave patterns of deep meditation. Users experience the same classic developmental and evolutionary mileposts as in a traditional meditation practice, but in an accelerated time-frame.
Holosync tones force the brain to create new neural pathways, creating a state of "whole brain functioning."
Studies have shown that Holosync audio tones raise the levels of hormones DHEA (which acts as a buffer against stress) and Melatonin (a hormone which helps create restful sleep states) in the bloodstream.
This happens at the same time as reducing the levels of cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.
In yoga, you move your body through asanas in a fluid motion. These tools could help your mind reach a similarly meditative state.
Note: Accelerated meditation may offer health benefits but it is not a substitute for medical care or treatment. Consult your doctor if you are in any doubt and if you're being treated for an illness, continue the treatment no matter what health benefits you get from meditation.
Resources:
hypnosisaudiocds.com - meditation and hypnosis CDs from Adam Sargant
hypnosisaudio.com - meditation and self-hypnosis tools from Glenn Harrold
centrepointe.com - for Holosync demo CDs
brainsync.com - for info on Kelly Howell
Martin Drury writes on yoga, health, food and psychology. He is a regular contributor to Yoga Magazine and a freelance journalist for national magazines and newspapers.
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