A couple of years ago I wandered into a local book store, and found a continueing education workshop underway in the coffee shop area. I was invited to sit down and listen, which I did, and I ended up learning about one of the most valuable tools ever. It was a Meditation For Beginners class, and as I listened and learned, I found a way to loosen my tense muscles, and focus on something other than the deadlines looming over my head or the busy day ahead of me. So I wanted to share with you some of the basic things I learned about mediation that day, in hopes that you can find a way to lessen the stress in your life. There are hundreds of reference books and websites out there that can help you learn this basic process. And you don’t have to become an expert in the field in order to benefit from the practice. So if you find yourself stressed, strung out and on edge, this might help you lead a healthier lifestyle. According to meditation experts, here are the steps that you will experience when meditating: 1. How your mind starts out your day is usually in what they call a superficial mind. This is when you’re on auto-pilot, whether you’re doing daily chores, driving to the grocery, or making your breakfast. You might be easily distracted, or find it difficult to concentrate. 2. The next step is called analytical thinking. This is when our minds are completely focused on one thing, which is also when we are the most efficient. This, apparently, is when we can go very deep in thought, where we are the most affective when it comes to conducting business. 3. The third step is called the intuitive state. This stage is described as when we can see vivid goals or experience intense creativity. Our critical thinking stops and intuitive experiences take over, which brings you into a meditative state. This state is where revelation and intuition can be born, and “real self,” is exposed. Okay, so it might sound a little mystical, but if you’ve never tried it, now might be the perfect time. The key is to find time every day (even a mere five minutes can do wonders), and to see the value in giving yourself the gift of relaxation and focus. In the next part of this series I’ll share with you how the actual meditation process can work for you. | 
