MEDITATION

This is a much touted area of the occult. There are many
meditation techniques, and many claims made for the benefits of
meditation. Basicly, meditation has two functions -- relaxation,
and perhaps, improved concentration. There are two main types...
1) concentration meditation (focusing),2) insight meditation (mindfullness).
Most kinds of meditation are the concentrative type. One simply
focuses his attention upon a single physical object (such as a
candle flame); upon a sensation (such as that felt while walking
or breathing); upon an emotion (such as reverence or love); upon
a mantra spoken aloud or even silently; or upon a visualization
(as in chakra meditation, see below)...Concentration meditation
is, simply put, a form of self-hypnosis.
A mantra (or mantrum) is one or more words or syllables
which are repeated -- often chanted -- aloud...A simple yet
powerful mantra is to vibrate the mystical word 'OM'. This
mantra has long been associated in India with the godhead/unity.
Use it to aid in tuning into universal vibrations which promote
feelings of harmony, peace, and well-being. Use it before magick
ritual to 'get into the mood' and afterward to 'dismiss the
forces'. You vibrate a mantra by saying it slowly aloud in a
lower-pitched voice than your normal speech, and a more or less
constant pitch as well. Let the sound fade at the end of the
mantra. A powerful one such as 'OM' will seem to vibrate the air
around you. It should be vocalized for 5-10 seconds and repeated
a number of times with a few seconds rest between each
vocalization. Chanting of mantras may cause slight dizziness
from hyperventilation.
The other main type of meditaiton -- insight meditation
-- is the analysis of thoughts and feelings in such a way as to
cause realization of the subjectivity and illusion of
experience. This is done in a effort to attain trancendental
awareness. Such statements as, 'This body is not me', fall under
this category. Buddhist meditations are usually of this type.