Silent and Moving Meditations

By Jaseng Center for Alternative Medicine

The human mind has got to be one of the most complicated and tremendously powerful mechanisms ever created. Science has not yet been able to come up with anything that even comes close to it. And when it comes to tapping into the power of our amazing minds, meditation is most effective as it leads one to return to the origin, or nature, of one's life. Those who practice meditation diligently are more likely to discover their inner healing power, which can fight off diseases even before becoming ill.

In Oriental medicine, there are two major ways to meditate that keep the mind and body balanced: silent meditation and moving meditation.

Silent meditation, such as Zen meditation, aims at inner realization and inner transformation, which are accomplished through the purification of the inner world and attainment of equilibrium. If you want to try silent meditation, just pick up a book on the subject or pull up some information on the internet on a style that suits you. This kind of meditation can be done in any kind of position, from the classic lotus posture to sitting on a chair or even lying down. The most important thing is just to relax your body.

Moving meditations like Taekeukkwan or Qigong, on the other hand, is considered excellent for getting the chi or life force circulating and strengthening the body as well as the immune system.

Be warned, however, that every meditation or exercise is not always good for your health. Some intense exercises like aerobics or heavy gymnastics may seem to reinforce the function of the body at the time they are practiced, but the results do not last long. And excessive or intense exercise can cause the tendons and muscles to loosen and can eventually wreak havoc on the whole body.

One moving meditation that is great for health and is one of the most well-known in Korea is called the Tae-eul-joo. The movements of this meditation symbolize the Tae-eul-joo mantra, which is recommended especially for those just beginning meditation. The meditation is based on the "hoom" sound, an expression of deep relief regarded as very effective in comforting both mind and body.

To begin this, stand up with your feet open - and lightly pigeon-toed - to the width of your shoulders and bend your knees slightly, keeping your back straight and your chin drawn down tightly while looking straight ahead. Next, while breathing in, slowly raise your hands high above your head and then bring them down again, breathing out. Do this slowly over and over.

This moving meditation can help the circulation of the blood, especially in the arms, and also strengthens the lungs. The important thing to remember is that you should breathe in when you raise your hands up and then breathe out when you lower your hands.

By Jaseng Center for Alternative Medicine.

Jaseng Center for Alternative Medicine is one of the largest integrative medical facility with 10 medical practitioners and it is a branch medical office of Jaseng Hospital of Oriental Medicine, which is the largest oriental medical hospital specializing in non surgical treatment of spine and joint condition. Please visit our website for more info at www.jasengusa.com or www.jaseng.net