Meditation Course- Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Elements of Meditation (continued)

Mantra

Many meditations focus ona silent or chanted mantra. In some meditations, the instructions are to chant in a monotone. Generally, thistype of chanting focuses the mind and changes brain patterns. Other meditations have mantras that are sung. Singing opens the heart center and the pranic body.

A common belief is that inmeditation one does not think. When you sit down to meditate, andyour awareness turns inward, you may notice a steady stream of thoughts.
The mantra is a consciously chosen thought. By substituting the mantra for other thoughts, there simply is no room for toher thoughts.
The mantra contains the sound vibration to elevate you. By chanting a mantra, the meridian points on the upper palate are stimulated, the hypothalamus secretes andthe chemistry of the upper centeres of the brain are transformed. This is the scientific process of being in "higher consciousness."

Meditation time

There are specific amounts of "processing" time needed to create certain desired effects during meditation. But you can start modestly and increase slowly.

Periods of time to affect changes

There are specific cycles of time that help change old habits and develop new ones. Each amount of time will give specific results.

40 days: It takes 40 days to change a habit
90 days: It takes 90 days to confirm the habit
120 days: The new habit is who you are
1,000 days: You have mastered the new habit.