Alternative Medicine

There is absolutely no way I can possibly tell you about all the different types of meditation in just one article. My intention is to tell you about some of the general benefits of meditation the different types have in common and introduce you to a few popular forms of meditation.

Many people have never tried meditation and they truly do not know what they are missing. Our world is full of sounds, sights, and other distractions. We are bombarded with these things every day of our lives. Meditation allows you to escape from this for awhile. A chance to truly relax

Through meditation can you truly get to know yourself, organize your thoughts, relax, and even improve your health. That quiet time can give you time to hear your own soul.

It takes practice. We are so used to living in a rush, it’s actually difficult for us to learn to totally relax and release all of the pressure we place on ourselves.

The things that must be considered include the length of time you need to devote to meditation, where you will meditate, your posture and your eye position, and very important, how to control your breathing.

There are many guides and books on proper meditation techniques and I suggest you research this. This one article is much too short to cover all of the proper meditation techniques. Here, I will stay focused on the many types of meditation.

One type of meditation that is definitely designed to help you stay healthy is called HRM, or Heart Rhythm Meditation. This type of meditation is used to coordinate the rhythms of your heart, your breath, and your brainwaves. It is supposed to help you create harmony within yourself. HRM incorporates several types of meditation into one.

Others include what are generally referred to as upward and downward meditation. As an example, HRM above incorporates several types of downward meditation. Other types of downward meditation include reality meditation, active meditation, lover meditation, meditation centered on the heart, in-life meditation, inclusive meditation, and awakening meditation.

Upward forms of meditation include religious meditation, meditation centered on the mind, monastic meditation, denial meditation, dualistic meditation, trance meditation, observer meditation, passive meditation, and fantasy meditation.

Upward meditation is described as drawing energy upwards and consciousness out of the body. That is where the term out-of-body experience is used. Downward meditation invites energy down into the body through the body’s third eye, or heart.

There are types of meditation that utilize both upward and downward meditation, but for the purposes of this article we will focus on those that are more specific.

Reality meditation has an obvious definition. It is based on reality rather than fantasy or imagination, while fantasy meditation relies on your imagination. In fantasy meditation you may imagine you are in another place, have become another person, or maybe even another type of existent or non-existent being.

Another two types of meditation that are the exact opposites of each other are passive and active meditation. In passive meditation, the type most people assume is the right way, the person tries to be absolutely still and do nothing, emptying their mind as much as possible. They may seem or actually even become asleep. If this was the goal, it is a perfect way to achieve sleep.

Active meditation is goal-oriented. The person focuses his or her mind outwardly toward that goal. The person attempts to remain in a state of meditation sending out waves to achieve the goal, usually used to bring peace to an otherwise tumultuous situation.

Denial and dualistic meditation are approximately the same. Many times the person is using this form of meditation to overcome pain or suffering. They focus their mind and tell themselves that they are not really suffering or in pain. Belief can heal, therefore they strive to create a reality where the suffering and pain are gone or it has no effect on them.

Trance meditation is used to diminish sensory capacity. The person uses it to achieve an ultimate calmness. This usually entails rhythmic chanting, suggestions of deep sleep, or submission. Hypnosis is an example of the use of Trance meditation.

The opposite of trance meditation might be alertness meditation or awakening meditation. The person won’t become sleepy as in trance meditation, but their senses will be heightened. The rhythm of the chants are usually faster and the rhythm changes. In a group it may change to keep in harmony with the others in the group.

As I said earlier in the article, this is written just to introduce you to the fact that there are various forms of meditation and each has it’s own uses. You may want to study the different types and look for the one that is right for you before you start.

Meditation isn’t something you should just do because someone recommended you do it. It isn’t something you should start doing because someone wants you to go to meditation group sessions with him or her. What works for them may not work for you. You need to explore the different forms of meditation that are out there and find one that specifically helps you.

Robin Darch, has a website, Meditation Tips to help you find all the information you need about meditation related topics.

Healthcare in the western world is experiencing a major shift in how people want to be treated and the treatments they choose to undertake. Seemingly patients are increasingly open to the idea of pursuing alternative medicine rather than the medical practises of established medicine. But what is behind this shift? Why are patients choosing alternative medicine over the regular variety and what implications will this have on not only the medical profession but also society more generally?

One of the most touted reasons for the increased use of alternative medicine is the increased cost of regular treatments. While in this country we have a nationalised healthcare system, in many countries around the world medical expenses are a major concern. This is why all over the western world; those who have to pay for medical treatment are choosing the alternative route instead of the conventional one.

The reason for this increase in cost is not due to medical staff receiving more money but instead a rise in the costs of supplies and operation. That said, the end result is the same, patients have to pay more for their treatments and understandably utilising alternative forms of treatment that prove to cheaper has become popular, especially when used over a long period of time.

Even countries that use a system of personal insurance to pay for medicine and treatments are experiencing this shift towards alternative medicine. The shift is a result of the fact that for minor afflictions and problems many policies are not paying out; as the patient then has to pay for their drugs, seeking alternative and cheaper forms of treatment is wholly understandable. As long as insurers refuse to pick up the tabs for patient’s bills, alternative practitioners will experience the financial benefits as people head to them in droves.

It may even reach the point where alternative medicine becomes the predominant form of treatment. Courses of naturopathy, hypnotherapy, yoga and chiropractic treatment are becoming evermore popular and challenging drugs and surgery as the primary means of treatment for a number of disorders. Doctors are already experiencing a downturn in patient numbers as they head instead to the alternative practitioners.

While this does not in itself worry doctors who are under high levels of stress already, one consequence is patients not telling their doctors of the treatments they have had for fear of disapproval. Understandably doctors want the entire picture of a patient’s past treatments, alternative or regular to work out a suitable course of action.

As peoples’ faith in western medicine clearly diminishes, alternative medicines are becoming popular for the relief they offer. This has worried doctors somewhat due to the fact that without a professional medical opinion it is easy to diagnose symptoms incorrectly resulting in patients undergoing treatments they do not need that could in fact harm their chances of recovery. The era of self diagnosis seems to be upon us, the ramifications of this have not yet been ascertained but if the fears of doctors are realised, a great deal of subsequent health problems may arise in the future.

The internet has played its own part in this rise of alternative medicine. As an information resource it is unrivalled but the questions remain over the quality of said information. If people continue to self-diagnose, the health implications could be great. Overall however if you are looking into using alternative medicine it is advisable to take a mixed approach. The knowledge of your doctor should not be ignored and is a far greater resource than the internet. By using this advice and finding a practitioner who is both knowledgeable and trustworthy is key to finding a healthy balance between existing treatments and alternative therapies.

Medical expert Thomas Pretty looks into the reasons behind the increased use of alternative medicine over regular treatments.

Meditation Guide

The Increasing Popularity Of Alternative Medicine