As we live our fast - paced lives, we very rarely stop to smell the roses. In a schedule as hectic as yours, how could you have the time? Wouldn’t it be nice to escape to some beautiful sun-filled exotic beach on a tropical island all o your lunch hour? Would that little break give you the extra boost to continue your day? Would it give you he tolerance to deal with the things that may have set your temper off normally? Well it is possible if you put your mind to it. The good thing is you already have all the tools to put get started.

Many people have attained higher plains of enlightenment through the ancient art of meditation and have incorporated it into their work schedules and daily routines. In the different countries, it may carry different names, but it is all the same. The ancient monks lived longer due to their stress-free lives. Even the historical Japanese people lived longer, but in the present day the Japanese have adapted the fast-paced lives of the western world that we have lived for centuries. Cases of suicide, alcoholism and heart attack have increased tremendously.

We must take the time to relax and become one with ourselves. This practice is used in Zen sitting meditation. It is called a period of nothingness. Doing absolutely nothing except focusing, relaxing and using proper breathing techniques helps to purify your mind and body.

You must take the time to practice at home before you attempt to achieve a meditative state in a busy workplace. Start off with only five minutes per day. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes so that you’ll be able to sit on the floor. If you feel more comfortable, sit on a pillow or cushion. You have a choice of sitting postures: yoga-style, with both legs crossed at the ankle in front of you, (anza) or sitting on both legs folded underneath you in kneeling position.

The first step in meditation is to try to clear your mind of what has been bothering you or any other thoughts you may have. Think of your mind like a wild monkey jumping from tree to tree. The mind will speak to you and your thoughts will gather in your head. The key to this is not to pay to much attention to what is being said. This is called inner chatter. Try to focus on some object, such as a piece of fruit. Try not to pick an object that may lead to other thoughts. One exercise is to focus on the numbers one through ten as you incorporate your breathing. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. The timing of each breath should be in eight to ten second intervals. Count in your head to breathe in, slowly, from one to ten. As you exhale, count from 10 backwards to one.

Try to visualize the numbers as you count. Continue this focusing only on he numbers. If some thoughts enter into your mind, which they most likely will dwell on them for only one to two seconds before going back to your controlled, focused breathing. As you concentration develops you’ll find your heart rate will slow dwon and your state of relaxation will increase.

As your level of concentration increases, your sitting position can be modified to an office chair, the seat in your car or even a park bench. The most important thing is that you do not get so comfortable that you fall asleep. Don’t sit in position of total body relaxation. Try to keep your body upright and stable. You will find that the time passes quickly and that you’ll get lost in your thoughts. Also, remember that it takes time to become good at this, but the benefits are endless. Keep up the spirit.