Meditation frees the mind and spirit.

When we investigate ways to nourish our bodies, too often our mental stamina and maintenance gets shoved aside.  Yet, without proper attention, we put ourselves at risk of being nutrient-deficient in managing mental nutrition.  Appropriate supplementation can address some issues, but meditation is critical to maintaining good energy flow.

Meditation is an art of breathing practiced widely in the Far East, and is now actively used in the United States.  Common for many religious practices, this practice centers and provides the mind space to explore, listen and intuit with the higher stratosphere.  It is a practical medium that enables one to garner focus, insight and contemplation to both, clear and ready the mind for its next journey.  Appreciation of the life process is perhaps meditation's critical goal, achieved simply by providing space and time to readdress one's place in their life currently.   Though typical to Buddhism, this is not a religious activity but a mental one, oriented at creating space to attain unity within oneself and one's world.

The DC area has a wide array of centers and schools intent on delivering instruction in the art of meditation and other related practices, such as Qi-Gong - also a product of the Far East.  Discover the richness meditation and its components can provide one's life.

Places in DC for meditation:

Vajrayogini Buddhist Center, 1803 Connecticutt Ave, Washington, DC  20009, 202-986-2257, info@meditation-dc.org. 

Studio Serenity, 2469 18th St, NW, Washington, DC  20009, 202-518-YOGA.

Insight Meditation Community of Washington, P.O. Box 3, Cabin John, MD  20818, 202-986-2922, meditate@imcw.org. 

Capitol Qi-Gong, 202-409-8490.

Boundless Yoga, 1522 U St, NW, Washington, DC  20009, 202-234-9462.

High Yoga DC, 1611 16th St, NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20009, 202-468-0432.

Shambhala Meditation Center of Washington, DC, 3520 Connecticutt Avenue, NW, Washington, DC  20008, 202-787-1526, info@dcshambhala.org.

It was the ancient philosopher Socrates who is oft remembered to have remarked, "The unexamined life is not worth living."  Indeed, such simple wisdom can assess the wisdom of life's detours.  Be challenged - and cherish - the attainment of the mind. 

Photo provided courtesy of www.fotosearch.com.