Two effective practices

     The first practice that I feel has been effective for me is visualization. I first became familiar with visualization back in 1994, when a therapist introduced it to me when I was going through a really rough time in my life. Since then I have used it occasionally, but not with any consistency.  Now I feel it is the right time for me to institute this in my life on a regular basis. Throughout our class I have used this technique when I had an upset stomach or headache. I visualized my body being healthy and whole and saw light penetrating it and flowing into every cell. I have also gone to my favorite place, on the beach at the ocean, to relax my mind and body and bring them into balance. I am making a conscious effort to remember this tool when I am feeling overwhelmed. I enter that place of great happiness and contentment and allow it penetrate my whole being. If I do this consistently, this inner experience will flow into my daily life.
     The second practice that I feel has been effective is that of Meditation. I find that Mantra Meditation, where I am saying a word or scripture over and over in my mind, gives me something concrete to focus on. If my mind wanders, I keep bringing it back to that particular phrase. This practice helps halt my wandering persistent random thoughts. After a short time, meditation brings my whole system into a place of rest and peace. Also, if I am meditating on a scripture, that phrase becomes a part of me--it flows from my head to my heart. This is a practice that I can incorporate anywhere I am at any time. I can say the word or phrase internally and no one even knows that I'm doing it. Because of my busy, full life, I need practices that I can incorporate into my routine without a lot of adjustment.