More and more people are reaping the benefits of meditation. Science has shown that meditation can actually reduce stress, ease depression, lower anxiety and reduce heart disease (which can assist you in weight loss). Meditation is one of those activities that anyone of any age or ability level can enjoy. Two especially easy meditation techniques to learn are grounding meditation and walking meditation.

Ground Meditation

Ground meditation technique is a great way to renew your focus and calm your mind. This meditation technique will leave you feeling energized when you are finished. It is a great pick-me-up in the middle of the day (and has much more staying power than a candy bar).

This type of meditation uses the imagination and visualization. To begin, close your eyes and imagine a golden thread running from the center of the Earth through your body and out to the edge of the universe.

Now, go back to the place where this golden string emerges from the top of your head. In your imagination see it traveling out past the stars, past the sun and out of our galaxy till it goes beyond the border of all space. It ends up in a great bright white light. The golden string blends with the light and is safely rooted there. It becomes one with the light.

Follow the thread back down through your head and down through the Earth’s crust, deeper and deeper, until it reaches the center of the Earth. There you see the source of Earth’s energy: a deep yellow-orange core of light. The thread merges with the light and becomes one with it. You feel pulled toward the center of the Earth and grounded.

Next notice your breathing, notice your feet planted firmly on the ground. As you emerge from your meditation, you feel fantastically energetic, clear-headed and renewed.

Walking Meditation

One of the easiest meditations to learn is a walking meditation. Walking meditation is great exercise and you get all the good things from meditation, all in one package. It is very simple to fit into any schedule and can be beneficial in even short snippets of time. Leave your dog at home when you do walking meditation, though. Trying to do both is an exercise in futility.

When you are ready, begin walking. No need to rush, just walk along at a pace you find comfortable. Notice how it feels when your feet meet the ground. Feel the breeze on your skin. Notice the smell of the air and any feelings in your body.

Some people find it helpful to listen to calm music during their walking meditation. Others prefer focusing on saying a mantra, phrase or prayer in their head. Or, just focus on body sensations. Once you are finished walking you should be feeling rest and ready to go.

Final Words

Meditation does not have to be something mysterious, done only by monks sitting on cushions in a temple in Tibet. Everyone can find a meditation technique that appeals to them. Meditation can be done at any time of the day or night, and any repetitive activity (such as raking leaves, doing the dishes, painting, etc.) can be made meditative and easily fit into daily life.