This meditation is designed to help in communing with your Deity or the Ancestors. It can also aid in communing with your spirit guides. First off as always remember to do your deep breathing visualizing the white coming in with every breath and the black cloud leaving your body with each exhale and to sit straight or lie down on a hard surface to keep your spine straight.

Relax your body starting at your feet and working your way up to your head, do not forget to pay special attention to the jaw area. Next clear your mind and focus on seeing and hearing those who you are trying to contact. If you have a mental picture already of what they look like then focus on it if not just clear your mind and see what image comes to the fore.

Once you feel that you are in contact (this varies depending on the deity, ancestor or spirit guide you are trying to contact. It also varies on the person meditating and their relationship with the contact. You will know when you are in contact though) begin by asking the question and then sitting quietly and clearing your mind. The answer should form soon, if it does not do not worry it may come in another form or at another time. The factors of this vary as to the importance of the question and whether it is time for you to know it yet.

If this is just a meditation to get to know this contact better and there are no specific questions, then sit quietly and just let the conversation flow easily. Build the image of this contact into your mind strongly and remember all that they say. If you have a hard time remembering, try taping the meditation and repeat the conversation out loud for reviewing later. Once completed thank them for their help and slowly bring yourself out of the trance by becoming aware of your body starting at your head and working your way down to your toes. It is not unusual after doing this meditation a lot for a specific contact if you being to feel them near you even after coming out of the trance.

Another variance of this meditation for those who have an easier time meditating while visualizing  or for the advanced practitioner you can use the following method. After you have relaxed your body and feel the trance, visualize a forest, a meadow, a book-filled room or anything else that makes you comfortable. For a forest or meadow you can visualize yourself walking down a path until you encounter your contact, for a room of any kind you can visualize yourself walking into this room and seated in a comfy chair by the fire is your contact. Alternately you can also visualize yourself arriving before they do.

This should be done with a partner, in case you get into such a deep trance, or you get upset
and need someone to help pull you out.

You must perform a cleansing and grounding ritual Lay down  Make sure you tape or have your partner writing down what you say Make your partner say out loud, and visualize the scenario

   "Picture a huge beautiful architecture library"
     "In front of there, are 10 giant steps leading up to the front door"
     "Very slowly climb up the stairs counting each one" (To get you in trance)

 When you get to the top of the stairs, imagine a huge door with a giant knocker  Knock the door Someone will answer the door, this is your spirit guide Tell him/her what is you would like to see (as in ceirtain past life or
general) At this point you may or not have a conversation with your guide Next, ask your guide to lead you where you can get this information Picture another door behind the guide, and have the guide walk you trough there
He/She will guide you into another room and sit you down At this point whether you are audio, visual or written, comes into play You may take down a bookand start to read a story of a past life Look at the pictures, movie or listen someone tell you the story When you are done, thank your guide very much Open the main door to go back down the stairs to get out of the trance Play back the tape or read what your partner has writte. You may not
remember.

Many people are intimidated by the idea of meditation. They may think  they have to study it for years to be any good at it. They may think  they have to change their entire lifestyle in order to be successful.  Finally, and for many the key question, they may feel that they will  never be able to silence the continual chatter which goes on in their  minds.If you have any of the above beliefs regarding meditation let me  reassure you. While years of meditating will certainly develop your ability it doesn't take years to learn basic and simple meditation. As for changing lifestyle completely, I have learned that often the  people who think they have to do that may be the ones who would benefit  from some changes: less frantic activity, stress reduction, more time  carved out of the day for relaxation. For such people meditation can  actually be a means of accomplishing such change. It can help them to  live more peacefully, regardless of what they are doing. Finally, regarding the issue of mental chatter, there are a number of  ways to quiet that, several of which I describe in this article.

What is Meditation?

I feel that the most important attitude to take in terms of meditating  is not to view it as some exalted state of being which you can't
achieve. In its most elemental form meditation is relaxation. You don't  have to be lying down to do it. You don't have to be seated in a  particular position.For example, I have had some of my most meditative experiences while  swimming. I focus on the activity of moving my body, on the sensation of  the water, on the relaxing feeling of stretching my limbs. If I am  swimming a certain number of laps, I count them, often repeating the  particular number I'm at over and over again. When I've finished  swimming I feel as if I've washed many of my worries and repetitive  thoughts. I feel clean, physically, mentally, and emotionally.Walking can be another form of meditation, especially recommended if you find it difficult to meditate while seated or lying down. Take long,  steady strides; focus on the feeling of the ground beneath your feet. Be  in the present; Notice what's around you. This is especially helpful  when you are feeling upset or have some problem to work out.Do you like to garden? Garden with your focus entirely on gardening,  feeling the earth, the texture of the weeds and flowers, the feel of  your gardening tools. If it is done with focus and intention any activity can be meditative.  When I am writing an article my focus is entirely on writing it. I clean  my mind of any concerns so that I can be receptive to the flow of ideas. If you practice a meditative attitude while you are doing activities which aren't formal meditation you'll find it that much easier to practice formal meditation. Basically you're training your mind to be focused and intent.

Enhancements for Meditation

Once you turn to the more "official" forms of meditation-meaning that  you're either sitting up in a relaxed pose or lying down, you will find  certain tools helpful in creating a relaxed mental state.

Meditation Enhancement with Aromatherapy
Lighting an aromatherapy candle or diffusing oil can often assist and enhance a meditational state. Good oil choices are lavender, chamomile, sandalwood, frankincense, and rosewood, among others.

Music for Meditation
Peaceful music in the background can help to block out distracting noises and set a peaceful mood. Listening on a Walkman can be even more helpful. Many New Age companies also make guided visualization tapes which can be very valuable.

Crystals for Meditation
One way to meditate with crystals is to hold a clear quartz point in one hand and a smoky quartz point in the other. This combines the energies of heaven and earth, keeping you grounded while uplifted.Another method is to place an appropriate crystal on each chakra point.To summarize

First chakra: feet to base of the spine. Some of the useful crystals to place here include smoky quartz, hematite, black tourmaline, obsidian, tiger's eye.

Second chakra: pelvic area. Crystals include carnelian, ruby, ruby in zoisite, red jasper, and garnet.
Third chakra: navel to solar plexus. Citrine, tiger's eye, rutilated quartz,  and aragonite are some of the helpful crystals.
Fourth chakra: Heart. Any pink or green stone can be placed here.
Fifth chakra: throat. Any pale blue or blue-green stone can go here.
Sixth chakra: Forehead between and slightly above the eyes. Any dark blue or purple stone belongs here.
Seventh chakra: Crown (top of head). You can put any white or clear crystal here.

The Beyond the Rainbow Chakra kit includes (in chakra order): hematite, carnelian, citrine, rose quartz, blue lace agate, amethyst, and clear quartz.

These are all peaceful stones. Hematite grounds and repels negativity; carnelian centers one in the present; citrine expands a feeling of empowerment. Rose quartz helps to foster self-love; blue lace agate encourages peaceful feelings; amethyst helps one to pass from ordinary  consciousness to a twilight state. Clear quartz is so fundamental a crystal that I put it in every crystal kit.You can also use an additional quartz point and rotate it over each crystal on your body. Visualize the crystal's color as you do so. Breathe in this color and feel it fill your being.

Breathing Techniques

With or without crystals, there are certain meditation methods which will help you to achieved a relaxed, contemplative state.

A Basic Breathing Technique

This is a method which I practice regularly. It is very relaxing.
 1. Inhale deeply for 4 seconds. As you do so visualize whatever positive energies you desire (love, kindness, peacefulness, etc.) coming to you. It may be easiest to focus on one attribute at a time. Fill your lungs completely.

2. Hold your breath for 4 seconds, and as you do so feel these energies filling you completely, entering every cell of your body.

3. Exhale for 8 seconds. Feel yourself expelling all negative energies (hatred, anger, resentment, etc.)

As you become practiced in this you can increase the amount of time for each step, but keep the proportions the same, i.e., 8 seconds to inhale, 8 to hold, and 16 to exhale.

To connect with your inner spirit:
 Sitting comfortably with your eyes closed, view your inner screen. You will see particles, images, or patterns of light. Focus on the light with relaxed attention, and without interpretation. If you feel yourself shifting to a dreamlike state allow this to happen. If you drift into thoughts return your attention to the light on your inner screen.

 Mindfulness Meditation
Sit comfortably, eyes closed, and focus on your breathing. Acknowledge without judgment any sensations, emotions, thoughts, or external stimuli. If you get distracted bring your attention back to your breathing.

 Meditating with Flowers
 There is a general list of FES essences for psychic/spiritual growth at http://www.rainbowcrystal.com/bach/calif2.html#psych Looking at this list may help you to identify helpful essences for meditation. Some specific essences which I have found to be useful are listed below.

White Chestnut (Bach) is invaluable for those who find that they can't shut out unwanted thoughts when they are attempting to meditate. It helps to relieve the feeling that your mind is going around in unpeaceful circles.

Walnut (Bach) is a flower remedy generally used for any kind of transition from one state to another. Though it is most often used for physical transitions such as moving, job or career change this essence actually addresses the emotional issues which surface when such changes are contemplated. It can help you to be more comfortable in an altered state of consciousness.

Lotus (FES) is considered to be an all-purpose meditational aid. It helps us to be aware of our soul nature.

Dolphin (Wild Earth Animal Essences) is generally recommended for both psychic and spiritual development. The dolphin lives in the water, but leaps into the air. Thus, this subtle and joyful essence can help us to transcend dimensions as the dolphin transcends the elements.

A technique to completely relax the body and mind to a near-sleep state goes as follows. This one is popular among practitioners of martial arts.Lay down with your arms by your side.Begin breathing as though you are pretending to be asleep. Breathe in deeply, hold it for 5 seconds, and breathe out, hold for 5 seconds, breathe in again and repeat the pattern.Focus on your feet. Feel them relax, feel the tension leaving you. Then focus on your legs, your stomach, your arms, your hands, and face.... feel them releasing, and relaxing. Once your entire body is relaxed, it will begin to feel heavy. Imagine yourself drifting towards sleep, floating downward like a pearl in a stream. Drift deeper and deeper. Begin counting to ten, slowly. Once you reach ten, you will be in a state of total relaxation and meditation. When you are done with the relaxation exercise, count backwards from 10 to 1. When you reach one, you will be revitalized and full of energy. Sit up whenever you feel ready, take however much time you need to get back in movement.

Find a comfortable place to sit, this is no short journey. Sit upright, back straight, and hold the single-terminated crystal to the chakra at your navel. Breathe deeply and evenly, and visualize a golden-yellow light. Sense the strength, the unwavering power of this light. Now concentrate on your own power as this golden light. Focus on that power. When you are ready, breathe deeply, and exhale that golden light into your crystal from your sacral chakra. You can do this several times if you need to, until you have it there.  Set the crystal with the golden-yellow glow down in front of you, and rest a moment.

Pick up the other two crystals. Holding one in each hand, with your arms out at the sides, feel the two crystals balancing each other. They are your polar crystals - one female, one male. Take a moment to feel the differences between them. Let them manifest without conscious attention from your mind.  Now concentrate on the crystal in your right hand. Feel energy tingling up through your hand and arm. Feel it flowing into your body and up the shoulder to the throat chakra. Allow yourself to feel - not think - FEEL the masculine energy of this crystal, let it imprint itself on your senses. Realize that the right hand is the "active" hand - the hand of giving. It is from the active/masculine/right hand that your energy flows to another when you will it to do so.

Now visualize the most beautiful blue sky you have ever seen or can imagine. Surround yourself with the color, bring the crystal in your right hand to the throat chakra, and begin to breathe deeply. After a few moments, when you are ready, breathe in the blue color, and exhale it into the crystal in your right hand. Do this until you are finished. Set the sky-blue glowing crystal on the floor at your right hand, and rest a moment. You still have a crystal in your left hand. This is your feminine/ receptive hand, and the hand from which you recieve or bring in energy. Feel the power of this crystal. It is different from that of the masculine crystal, but it is not necessary to "think" about the differences. FEEL the sensations, until they are firmly imprinted.

Begin to visualize a lush, beautiful green color. The color of spring green, alfalfa fields, vibrant, glowing lawn. Surround yourself with this color, and feel your crystal begin to vibrate happily at the color. Place this crystal over your heart chakra, breathe deeply, and exhale the lush green color into the crystal. Continue until finished. Place the glowing green crystal on the floor on your left. Rest a moment, and feel the balance point where you sit between the masculine and feminine, blue and green, active and passive crystals. Get a clear feeling of this "centeredness". Now, using both hands, pick up the glowing golden crystal in front of you. Hold it to the brow chakra (third eye). Feel the coolness, the slight tingle as you touch it to your forehead. Holding the crystal with both hands brings both halves of your being (male/active/blue and female/receptive/green) into balance. You have created a figure of power - yourself as the energy source, and balanced and blended with the crystals.

Now make that energy move. For a few moments, feel the energy flowing freely from your feet to your crown chakra and back. As the energy flows UP the right side of your body, it is blue - as it leaves the crown chakra, it becomes green and flows back DOWN the left side of the body. Circulate the energy like this for a few moments. Try to let the feelings and visual images imprint themselves on your mind and senses. At a later time, when you are stressed and out of balance, you can bring back the image, and know that your energy will go back into balance, and will be completely under your control. There are many uses for this kind of exercise. Among the best (IMHO) reasons are things you wish to get rid of - meaning something negative. When you have a negative energy source (anger, frustration, sources of irritation), you will use the golden-yellow crystal at your solar plexus. Tense up the solar plexus a bit, effectively closing it down so you don't gather these energies inside by accident. Do not absorb the negative energies - simply see them as floating around you. Will them into the crystal - each exhale willing more of them into the crystal. You may even notice the crystal get dark and cloudy.

When you have captured the negative energy in the crystal, you have several options. My favorite is to go outside, take a deep breath, and "blow" the energy out of the crystal into the ground. Inside, you can do it the same, only you must visualize it going through the floor and into the ground. It may come out as a stream of dark liquid, or a cloud of heavy dark fog. Whichever, take care to "bury" it in the ground, not leave it lying around for someone else to pick up! Bring your crystal back inside, and drop it in a glass of salt water for a few hours to clear any residual negativity. You could also bury it in the earth, or hold it under running water. I've often thought a running stream on the property would be a boon to crystal workers! Just get a mesh bag, toss in the "dirty" stones, and let it hang in the stream for a day or two! In the absence of that, however, we just have to make do with indoor plumbing!

Take a few minutes to relax, and reflect on what you've accomplished - which is quite a bit. After a short break, we're going on a journey. Take your three crystals used in the preparation exercise. Sitting down, place the golden-yellow crystal at your feet in front of you. Place a crystal on either side of you (green on the left, blue on the right). Now lay back on the floor or bed, and relax. Close your eyes, and breathe deeply using your diaphragm. Feel the energy from your crystals, and let it balance you. You are calm, relaxed, and floating-just barely touching the surface where you are lying. Open your inner eye, and see around you a lovely Summer day. It is a joyous day, and all your senses are alive. You can hear the sound of a small brook nearby. You feel the touch of a light, warm breeze playing around you. The smells of earth and richness and growing things fills your heart with wonder and joy. Under your feet is a rich, grassy path that winds along beside the little brook. Looking toward the horizon, you see a mountain standing out of the earth. It rises beautifully, majestically in this flater landscape, but it is not impossibly high. Your eyes drink in the sight of the mountain, and you know that it is calling you. You can feel yourself vibrate with the need to be there. This is a sacred mountain, a place of power. And it is calling to you.

Raising your arms, you hold them out as if to embrace the mountain. You take a deep breath, and feel the earth skimming just below your feet. You set down with a slight bump, and look up to see the mountain. You are standing at the base of the mountain, and it is YOUR mountain. Recognize that this is your life's journey, your chosen spiritual path. This is the place of power you can truly call your own. You are ready to begin this journey to enlightenment. But the path goes up the mountain, and you need to lighten your load in order to make your trip easier. Just where the path starts up the mountain, there is a beautiful tree. It is shady and cool, and yet very alive and sentient. Sit down under this tree, and take a moment to connect with it. Ask it for, and accept its strength. Now take a moment, and look at your physical world, your physical life. What burdens, problems, cares, connections or other things do you need to leave behind before you begin this journey up the sacred mountain? Think about it for a moment, and make a decision. What is it that you need to leave behind? Take your shooter crystal from your pouch or pocket, and put into it what you need to leave behind. Then "shoot" it into the ground. Affirm to yourself that you are doing this so that you may continue to grow, to seek, to come to know your true self.

Contine until you feel that you have lightened the physical load you carry enough to allow you to continue your journey. When you are done, open your pouch or your pocket, and take out the small bag of tobacco or sweetgrass you have there. Put a pinch at the base of the tree, in thanks for the help you have received. Take a moment to remember those things that you are leaving there. Each thing that we decide we no longer need or want in our lives is the result of a lesson learned. There is no need to carry such excess weight, but at the same time, there IS need to remember what those lessons were. For a moment, honor and thank those things you have discarded for whatever lessons or service they have given you. Now it's time to move on. The trail begins at your tree, and winds up in a spiral up the mountain. You feel the pitch of the trail change and become slightly steeper. You are walking at a good pace, and feeling wonderful. The breeze on your face is light and warm, the sky is a radiant turquoise blue. You are lighter and happier than you have been in a long time.

About a quarter of the way to the top, you begin to tire a little bit. There is a nice flat area where you can sit, on the flank of this sacred mountain, and recover your strength. With your hand, your staff or something else you choose, draw a circle in the dirt, and sit down inside it. Reflect for a moment on how the spiral path to the top of the mountain could be rendered as a wheel - a medicine wheel. All things in nature go in cycles, and although the cycles are never ending, they are ever changing. No spring is exactly like the spring before. No cycle of seasons brings the exact same weather. Your development is like that circle/cycle/spiral. You are growing as well as changing through your cycles. You are spiraling upwards toward your true nature and enlightenment. Yet you hold on to things from the past when they are no longer needed or even good for you to have. Ask yourself what you need to let go of emotionally, in order to continue with your journey. Be receptive for a moment, and listen to your inner voice. When you have made your decision, put the thing you wish to let go of emotionally into your crystal, and shoot it into the earth, as you did before. Take your tobacco or sweetgrass, and leave a pinch in the center of the circle. Use that time, and make that offering, to remember the worthy things about that which you have left behind. Leave the circle, and continue up the trail.

It's getting steeper now, and you are feeling fine, but have to slow down a bit and struggle a bit to keep on moving upward. At a point which is half-way up the mountain, you come to a place where a large rock rears up from the ground, casting an inviting shadow, and providing a convenient back-rest. You sit down with your back against the stone, feeling its smoothness, coolness. You can smell the warm rock where the sun is hitting it, and hear the sound of the wind in the grasses and stones on the mountain. Looking out from where you sit, you can see the valley below - the one you left just a short time ago - and the brook glistens like a shiny crystal ribbon amid the riot of greens. You have been taught all your life that intellect is supreme, yet just intellect without compassion or love can be as limiting as carrying your boulder up the mountain! Ask yourself what you need to let go of intellectually in order to continue your journey up the mountain. You may be surprised that some things you thought of as your greatest strengths will now be revealed as being weakness...indeed, there is a strong and a weak side to everything! Place any and all of the blocks you note on an intellectual level into your crystal, and dispose of them as you did before.

You get up, feeling rested and much better, and again leave an offering of tobacco or sweetgrass at the base of the boulder. You walk on up the mountain, and the path is now narrow and very steep. You walk carefully, steadily, and you are happy. Just before the last rise of the mountain peak, there is a place where you can rest. You are sitting nearly on top of the world here - your feet can hang out where only air separates you from the valley floor. You have no feelings of fear - you know you are safe up here on the mountainside. This is a time to ask yourself what you need to let go of spiritually, in order to continue your journey. Listen to the voices inside you, and any guidance that comes from outside. Put all of these things into the crystal, and dispose of them as before. When you are done, you have such a feeling of joy and ease! Put a pinch of your offering in the place where you have been sitting. Stretch and loosen up your muscles a moment, and continue your journey. The clouds that once seemed so high over your head are now within your reach. Your trail ends abruptly, and you look around. You made it! You are standing on top of your mountain - the highest point. The sky is still blue, but tiny stars twinkle overhead. The wind is brisk here - chilly almost, but it feels good to you. The valley below is far away and tiny - looking like a child's smallest toys.

This is the journey of your life, and also of every day of your life. Every choice, every anchor, every connection you have has some connection to this mountain and your journey. Remember that. Know that everything connects on this mountain path of your life's journey. Look around you now at the top of your mountain. There are flowers here - blue ones. The air is sparkling clear like nothing you can find in a city. The evergreen trees lend a fragrance to the air that is refreshing. See, smell, hear, and touch all these things. Be aware of this as a real place - one that you can continue to use whenever you need to. One you will ultimately conquer many times, as you have today. A sparkle on the ground catches your eye, and you look down. There is a crystal there - made of light and air and all the parts of your journey here. It is breathtakingly beautiful. You reach down and pick up the crystal. Hold it to your heart for a moment - then hold it up in the rays of sunlight. As you do this, a rainbow of color spills from the crystal, bathing you in its light. Inside your heart, a prayer is forming - a prayer for balance and harmony, a prayer that you find and take your rightful place in the universe. Listen to your inner voice, trust your inner feelings. Believe that harmony and balance are not only possible, but available to you, if you will only remember this journey! Leave a pinch of tobacco or sweetgrass at the place where the crystal came from. It is now time to begin your journey down the mountain. You travel lighter, faster, and happier than you have done in the past, carrying your crystal from the mountain top. As you pass each point where you left behind something, touch the crystal to your heart chakra, remember the lesson, and give thanks. As you reach the tree at the bottom of the mountain, you notice that the shadows have lengthened and the sun is moving toward setting. It's time to be going home again. Let the blue sky, the warm golden sun, and the green of the grassy plain soak into you for a few moments, like recharging a battery. Hear the brook by your feet, and feel the breeze as it whispers goodbye.

Now realize you are back in your own world, your own place, in your own body. Open your eyes, and recognize your surroundings. If needed, stamp your foot, or clap your hands to bring yourself fully back into the present. The special crystal that you received on your mountain journey is one which is used only on the other side. Anytime you journey or travel there, you have only to remember where you "keep it" - a medicine pouch or your pocket, or whatever - and it will be there. It is not necessary to have a counterpart for it on this side, although one may find you some day!

Begin with a personal inner-cleansing ritual. Lay down. Make sure you either tape your experience and/or have your partner write down what you say.  (This can be said out loud by your partner or you can do this internally; but, if your partner is saying it out loud, you must visualize this scenario.) Picture a huge library with beautiful architecture. (Let your imagination run wild!) There are 10 giant steps leading up to the front door. Very slowly climb up the stairs counting each one. Your partner may want to count you through this. This is the meditative steps to put you into the mental state to accept the information. When you get to the top of the stairs, imagine a huge door, with a giant knocker. Knock.Someone will answer the door. This is your spirit guide. Tell him/her what it is you would like to see (as in a certain past life, or something in general). At this point you may or may not have a lengthy conversation with your guide, he/she might be concerned with how you are going to handle this information, etc. Next, Ask your guide to lead you to where you can get this information. Picture another door behind the guide, and have the guide walk you through here. He/she will lead you into another room, and sit you down. At this point, whether you are audio, visual, written, or any combination, comes into play.You might take down a book, and start to read the story of a past life... look at pictures like a photo album... watch a movie... listen to someone narrate the story. Or, like I said, any combination. When you are done, thank your guide. Your parting words and actions will be based on how comfortable you are with your guide at this point. Open the main door to go back down the stairs, and count your way back down. This will lead you back out of the trance. Play back the tape, or read what your partner has written. You may or may not remember what it is you have just experienced and/or said out loud.

I receive requests for more written meditations frequently. While I do plan to write up some new ones quite soon, the last time I received this request I wrote the following in response. I feel it may help others to know how to write their own meditation. Remember that meditations you write will work better than any written by someone else.

Consider your favorite place, or somewhere you'd like to be that has a lot to interest you and would keep your mind busy. Make sure you are comfortable, and take a few deep breaths. Take yourself to that place. Imagine all the things you would see and respond to them just as if it were real life, meet people and create scenarios. Rather than having an unorganized array of disconnected thoughts, you can concentrate on the scene. As you get deeper into the meditation you will find the scenery and schemes simplifying until you are basically "gone" with the meditation. You can even make a tape recording to guide you on a meditation journey. One can also use this method to go somewhere to find an answer- this would again require personal devising.

Another more difficult method is to choose one image and focus on that. I find this hard as I am always straying around from thought to thought. But if you find an image that interests you, keep your "sight" on that and nothing else. (This is more for the visual person, you can do the exact same thing with music or a feeling... this is the reason petting an animal for a long time can be relaxing, and listening to certain music can put a person in a trance.) The native americans did this with the monotonous sound of drumming. You could use a mellow instrumental piece and just focus on each note, going from one note to the next. Remember that monotony, if you can stand it, is like instant meditation. (If you have ever done the "counting sheep" thing to get to sleep, you know what I mean.)

The final method of meditation (which I am adding now, but did not include in the response) is to choose a calm, monotonous experience to visualize. That doesn't make much sense, so here is an example. A long, winding river on a warm summer day is serene and continual. Imagine drifting freely like a leaf down the river. It is relaxing and unchanging. Imagine how it would feel, and nothing else. You could also use driving down a long deserted road, coasting down an unending slope on a sled, or walking down the path in a forest with plain, simple scenery (just trees, trees, and more trees). Similar to the previous meditation, the monotony is what makes this work. Just make sure to choose an "activity" which you are familiar with, enjoy, and can identify with.

Know that the mind is constantly bombarded with thoughts, it's not anything one can really help. Meditation essentially is focusing those thoughts on one point until you reach another state

Passive:
*Find a place where you aren't going to be disturbed and sit or lie comfortably.
*You can put on some soothing music low in the background, and dim the lights.
*Choose an image to focus on within your mind- the key is to choose a mental picture and not a physical one. What might your choose as your image? Maybe a star, or a cloud, or even a flame. You might choose your favorite plant or flower- or the image of a famous person. Whatever you decide on, it should be something pleasant to look at, and an image that you can hold for a long period of time.
*As you picture that stationary image you'll slowly slip into an alpha state. This is meditation, and what you do from here depends on your own decision-making.

Active:
This is the advanced form of meditation, because it combines remaining mentally active with meditating. As always, get yourself relaxed and comfortable using whatever method is best for you, such as relaxing your muscles one by one. You might even light candles or incense, or use aromatic oils.Now, instead of picturing a static image, choose a scenario. This should be like acting in a movie, or watching and directing one, depending on your viewpoint. You can practice with scenarios for entertainment, like flying on a magic carpet, surfing the waves, or walking through a calm forest. When you concentrate on the scene for long enough, you will slip into a dream-like alpha state. You will be aware and awake, without taking notice of outside distractions.