Meditation Nation

In many religions and philosophies, winter is the season of turning inward for
self-contemplation and self-nurturing. Now is the perfect time to join 50
million Americans, (19 percent of the population), who practice some form of
meditation. But what is meditation? How do you get started?

“Some people think that meditation involves sitting in bliss, like a Buddha
with half-closed eyes and a mysterious smile”, says Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D.,
(www.drdharma.com), author of “Meditation as Medicine”. “But meditation means
acknowledging what you are feeling and opening yourself to what is really
true”, Dr. Khalsa explains. “At first, this may hurt, but it soon helps you
heal”. Start a meditation practice by focusing on your inhalation, your
exhalation, and the space in between breaths, Dr. Khalsa suggests. “Meditate
while you are waking up, housecleaning, walking, cooking or taking a shower.
Pay attention, release thoughts and emotions, and focus on your breathing”.