So many people are trying to do so many things, and the result is: STRESS. There are many ways that people deal with stress and some are really not very productive. Eating a carton of ice cream? Mindlessly playing computer games for hours on end? Drinking entirely too much? You can probably think of many other “stress relievers” which only make things worse. What does work? Prayer and meditation. (Prayer and medication - but not self-medication - can also be helpful under certain conditions.)
A minister I knew used to lead meditation sessions. Once, he told us to imagine that we were walking along a beach. There was a man in the distance. Suddenly he was surrounded by a group of people. We were to meditate on this image, and then we shared what had come to our minds. When it was my time to share, I said that the lone man (Jesus) was suddenly surrounded by clowns and mimes. A man in our group looked at me in amazement and said, "Wow...clams and lions!" I think you could make a really good meditation out of both scenarios.
There are many types of meditation. I would like to share one from Dr. Arlene Unger's book, How to be content. I like to think that Spring begins in February. I remember that one February when I was in Junior High and the temperature got up to 70 degrees, but let's face it, that doesn't happen often. It's still winter with cold temperatures and short (although lengthening) days – a perfect time to practice a flame meditation. Dr. Unger suggests that you dim the lights, light a candle, sit comfortably, and breathe deeply. Gaze at the candle flame. Keep your attention on the flame, but don't forget to breathe! When your eyes are tired, close them for a few breaths and then go back to gazing at the candle flame.
Do you feel calm? At peace? Warm and cosy? I would follow this winter meditation with some quiet time reading a good book, drinking a mug of hot tea, and eating a piece of dark chocolate.
Here are some books that might help you to de-stress through meditation:
Come to the quiet : the principles of Christian meditation / Talbot, John Michael. 242 TAL
How to meditate : a guide to self-discovery / LeShan, Lawrence L., 291.4 LES
Living meditation : from principle to practice / Simpkins, C. Alexander. 291.435 SIM
Meditation for life / Batchelor, Martine. 294.3 BAT
The other side of silence : a guide to Christian meditation / Kelsey, Morton T. 248 KEL
Silence: how to find inner peace in a busy world /Feldman, Christine 155.9 FEL
Staying focused in the age of distraction: how mindfulness, prayer & meditation can help you pay attention to what really matters /Hoffman, Elizabeth Hanson, PH.D 153.1 HOF
Wherever you go, there you are : mindfulness meditation in everyday life / Kabat-Zinn, Jon 155.9042 KAB