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largest religion as stated by Hall 2005 (p24), and Price 2001 (p82) has
estimated a following of more than 300 million people world wide however
Ganeri 2003 (p8) goes on to declare that Buddhism today has a following of
more than 400 million people world wide. Anon 2008 (p1) suggests that
this is on account of Buddhism not being built on a notion that there is a God
or Gods but was founded on the teachings of a man who became the Buddha
disciplines within Buddhism, they all share the same basic beliefs claims
Faelli 2006 (p5-6). Anon 2008 (p1) states that Buddhism is a journey to
enlightenment to find the true nature of life, to accomplish this, a person must
lead a life free from corruption of any form and take full responsibility of their
ancient cultures in Asia, the Middle East and India as stated by Page 2004
(p36).
impact on reducing stress and improving health, for example lowering blood
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contemplation and many other institutions of thinking, the universe and all that
dwell within it are, connected by a life - force energy. This energy in many
cultures is known by different names for example, the Chinese call it c’hi or
chi, and the Japanese call it ki Yogis call it prana. In some cases the life force
energy can become blocked within a person’s body, by using methods such
75).
practice, as declared by Roderick 2007 (p1). Chin 2004 (p1) states that
chakra meditation entails focusing on the energy centers within the body
Budilovsky and Adamson 2003 (p79) suggest that there are seven major
energy centers or chakras, running from the base of the spine to the crown of
The founder of Buddhism was a man called Siddharttha Gotama whom was
born into a wealthy family of the Shackya tribe in a region of India, which is
(p24) goes on to declare that the existence of Siddharttha Gotama was about
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2,500 years ago. Siddharttha Gotama lived the life of a prince, but this life did
not make him contented as he longed to know the true meaning of life, so at
the age of 29 Siddharttha left behind the comforts and riches of his family to
After Siddharttha had spent many years searching for answers to his
the end to his suffering, and attained enlightenment, he then became the
Buddha claims Weatherley 1992 (p6). The Buddha set out to teach people
people how to be free from greed and suffering. The teachings of the Buddha
entailed The Four Noble Truths and The Middle Path see (Appendix 2), by
following the teachings of Buddha, people would end the cycle of birth death
meditation. Followers of the Buddha are, known as Buddhists they follow the
teachings and the guidelines of Buddha, the guidelines are, known as the Five
The Buddha also held to the Hindu belief of reincarnation meaning that when
one dies one is reborn after death. Depending on what kind of a life that
person had lead before it would influence what form their earthly life would
take the next time around. It could be a higher or lower form depending on
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what good or bad deeds that person had accomplished in their life. This is the
cycle of birth, death and rebirth. Buddhists also believe in a law of cause and
effect known as Karma, Karma law affirms that a persons actions, words,
thoughts and deeds in ones life determine how the next life will be, wether it
‘Nirvana the state of perfect bliss and happiness which all Buddhists try
to achieve.’ Ganeri 2003 (p32)
forms and is, used in every major world tradition these are examples of the
Mayan inspired sun meditation is used, this meditation takes place outdoors
early in the morning before sunrise, the focus of the meditation is the sun
rising whilst sitting in a crossed leg position facing east and breathing deeply.
The object of this meditation is to cleanse all worries and let pure light in.
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religion the altars are, assembled at certain locations. These places are,
thought to be the boundaries between the material and spirit worlds. The
have been a variation of Christian religions over the centuries, for instance
form of prayer. Catholics would use rosary beads to pray, this is a string of
beads each bead represents a prayer. Reciting the rosary would become a
Meditation can be exercised by, anyone at any point of their lives claims
Budilovsky and Adamson 2003 (p18) many people turn to meditation for all
people, who are just trying to make sense of their flurrying lives. It is
becoming clear that a persons well being and peace of mind will not come
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because, as individuals our lifestyles, belief systems and fears can all be
different. To meditate one would need a peaceful position and the correct
posture, sitting upright and relaxed using one’s chosen meditative practices,
as declared by Monaghan and Viereck 1999 (p1). NCCAM 2007 (p1) also
states that the type of meditation being, practiced determines what posture to
According to Roche 2008 (p1), meditating on a regular basis has very positive
operate to the best of their ability. Scientists and physicians have studied
and it can improve the aptitude to learn it also strengthens the memory.
In life stress plays a major role, it can be beneficial in times of emergency but
connected with the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce and
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discharge the stress hormone adrenaline this function is the body’s way of
NCCAM 2007 (p1) states that meditation is, used as a form of medicine for
the mind and the body, the mind body medicine centres on, how the brain
interacts with the body and how a person’s behaviour and state of mind can
have a direct impact on health. There are various health problems that
meditation is used for, such as anxiety, pain, stress and numerous others,
when meditation has been used it has shown some alterations in the body, for
NCCAM 2007 (p1) goes on to declare that reactions of the body are,
organs and muscles and the function of the heartbeat, sweating, breathing
and digestion this is, done automatically. There are two main parts to the
autonomic nervous system. The part that gets the body ready for action and
produces the fight or flight response is the sympathetic nervous system, the
other is the parasympathetic nervous system, this part opposes the responses
able to sustain significant health benefits and how this could be achieved,
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Meditation is an holistic practice and works to bring the entire person into
harmony it also reconnects the person to their inner energies, the energies
by Rawlings 1998 (p153). Budilovsky and Adamson 2003 (p79) claims that
chakras are none-physical energy centres within the body there are seven
main energy centres, each one can be located at fixed areas of the body
associated with glands or nerve centres along the spine see (Appendix 4).
Budilovsky and Adamson 2003 (p79) also suggest that every individual chakra
base of the spine, this first chakra conceals a mighty but dormant source of
energy. It is, known by Yoga philosophy as the Kundalini energy they liken it
rises up through the chakras along the spine until it reaches the crown chakra,
which, is at the peak of the skull. Regardie 1998 (p169) states that during the
rise up the spine, as this occurs each chakra becomes purified and
rebalanced with the Kundalini energy. Budilovsky and Adamson 2003 (p79)
also states that, when the uniting of the crown and the Kundalini happens the
person reaches a higher state of awareness, grasping their full potential and
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thousand chakras which means there is not one part of the human body that
traditional writings. The majority of these chakras are only minute, so their
role in the energy system is lesser, than the 40 secondary chakras, these
have a significant role, and are, found in the back of the neck, the palms and
soles of the feet and the area of the spleen. The word chakra comes from the
Sanskrit and means wheel, chakras are in a perpetual state of rotation hence
the name. The constant rotating allows the chakras to draw energy in and
give off energy. Chakras rotate in different directions depending on the sex of
an individual the man will complement the woman’s and vice versa. The
mans chakra mainly rotates clockwise this in Chinese doctrine is Yang nature,
Simpson 2002 (p110) states that the chakras represent the colours of the
rainbow with the first chakra symbolizing red, the second orange, the third
yellow, the fourth is the heart chakra, which is green, the fifth is the throat
chakra this is blue, and the brow or spiritual eye chakra is indigo, the crown is
violet. When practicing chakra meditation by, focusing on their colours could
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In order to attain good health, it is essential for the chakras to be free from
blockages and remain balanced with each other. The master chakra, known
as the crown can open and aid balancing the other six chakras within the
body. The crown chakra needs to be open and unblocked so that the energy
will be able, to be sent freely to it, from all other chakras, this will enable
Cartwright and Ward 2004 (P36) goes, on to declare that these are examples
of how a person would be effected if any one of their chakras were out of
balance or blocked. Starting with the first chakra (base of spine) the person
will be anxious and disorderly, jealous and domineering. The second chakra
of self- love and unstable emotions. The third chakra (solar plexus) the
person will be lacking in confidence, low self worth and be obscure, mean
disposition, abnormally active and obstinate. The fourth chakra (heart) the
person will be suffering from low spirits, depression and envy and will be aloof
and callous. The fifth chakra (brow) the person will be suffering from poor
chakra (crown) the person will be emotionless and insensitive, fearful of death
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Cartwright and Ward 2004 (p38) also states that the cause of a chakra to
that would leave one in shock and fear. If there is an imbalance in one
chakra, it can influence a change in the others, it would primarily affect the
heart chakra would be, affected and this might cause an upset stomach (solar
plexus chakra) which in turn would then affect the throat chakra causing
When the energy centres are balanced, they function correctly by not opening
too much or closing up. A person with balanced chakras or energy centres
‘Of the many techniques to rebalance the chakras, Colour and Sound
Therapy is one of the most effective and deeply acting energetic
therapies available.’ Batie 2003 (p98)
Ward 2004 (p38) claims that the aura envelopes the visable body and is built
up energy levels known as subtle bodies, a person that is fit and well will have
an aura that surrounds the whole of the body in what has been described as
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an egg shape, this shape generally augments about one metre from the body.
Cartwright and Ward 2004 (p41) also goes on to declare that the auras
contain a multitude of all kinds of colour and shade, which implicate a persons
and emotion. If the shade of this colour changes it will imply the person is
agitated and that there is emotional imbalances. Generally yellow is the initial
colour to appear in an aura, it is the easiest to see. If there is, a pale yellow
and confidence. This colour can also represent the warrant of ideas, the
activation of extrasensory capabilities. The colour green can show the kind of
person who is accessible to new ideas and is trustworthy and sociable. If this
colour is bright green or is, nearing the colour blue this would point to a
capacity for healing. If a persons aura is showing the colour blue this will be
person. As the shades of blue get lighter in an aura, this will reflect a persons,
active imagination and good presentiment. Shades of blue that are deep in
colour indicate desolation. A royal blue implies integrity and wisdom. The
colour blue also represents calm and peace. Violet and purple are the colours
that symbolize self- government and instinct. Shades that are, lighter show a
person to be spiritual. The shades of red and purple imply a strong passion,
or will power. A need for greater individual effort may also, be indicated by
these colours. Other colours may show in a person’s aura such as pink, this
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reflects joy and solace, and represents love and soft-heartedness. Gold
prior any other colour, it shows honesty and purity this implies a persons
‘All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is
everything. What we think we become.’ Buddha 2008 (p1)
According to Paul 2003 (p192), the auras that are, formulated by the chakras
give a good indication of what is out of balance within the actual physical
body. The chakras can be, used to heal any imbalances between the mind,
body, and spirit. The way in which a person would be able to achieve
oneself through meditation, reflecting, staying open, and being sincere in all
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