Meditation is, quite simply, the art of going beyond the mind and into the heart, into the highest and best part of our being. Occasionally we get a glimpse of this beautiful inner peace and contentment inside us - when watching a sunset perhaps, or walking in nature - but for most of our lives this inner self lies dormant, buried beneath the mind's stresses, anxieties and worries.

Meditation is a journey of self-discovery. Most of us, when referring to ourselves, point to a space in the middle of the chest which we refer to as the heart, and this is indeed a natural place to begin the journey of self discovery. However, the primary obstacle preventing us form focusing on this space and discovering more about ourselves is the flurry of thoughts forever racing around our mind, and so most meditation techniques start with trying to still the mind and create a space of peace and silence. Once the mind is silent, the peace and spontaneous joy contained within the heart can come to the fore and permeate your entire being.

It is recommended that people wishing to learn meditation first start with concentration exercises, for it is with concentration that we will be able to keep the mind's thoughts at bay long enough to be able to enter into meditation. There are a variety of concentration exercises you can use, such as using the breath or focusing on inspiring objects such a as flowers and candles. Mantras, or meditative chanting, can be another way to get into this meditative space qickly and effectively. With time, the practice of meditation allows you to gain control of your own thoughts and find out more about who you really are.