When was the last time you thought about nothing?
Try it for two minutes. You might find it’s difficult. Can you keep your mind free from thoughts?
Listening to quiet classical or world music might help you. Repeating a word or short phrase might help.
The Massachusetts General Hospital’s Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine suggests a simple technique, http://www.mbmi.org/basics/whatis_rresponse_elicitation.asp.
Recently I read about the relaxation response in an old O magazine. (I was looking for pictures to make a collage.) I sit quietly for about 5 minutes before breakfast, listen to classical music and relax. My head is clear of distracting thoughts and concentrating is easier afterwards.
Nigel Davies posted a recent discovery linking a straight spine to lower blood pressure, http://tigerchess.wordpress.com/2009/03/22/the-relaxation-response/.
Because I love to walk, I do a walking meditation where I count my steps and breathe, 1 through 8. I find it relaxing.
Sara has a great suggestion for doing walking meditation with children, http://kiwimagonline.com/kiwilog/2009/04/13/mindful-meditation-series-part-1/.
