By its light astronomers are able to analyse and distinguish different features of a celestial body or galaxy through observation of its colours. These are the true colours or energies that are recorded by sophisticated technology, not the colour enhanced, beautiful images we are often provided through NASA.

There is some similar relationship in astro-psychology when we realise the importance of light itself and are interested in analysing the seven colours of the spectrum into which light reveals itself when applied to the seven fold spheres of human beings.

This is nothing new, but modern interest is causing a revival in order to relate it to and have it complement what we know of modern psychology and astro-psychology so that we can better understand the planetary energies that rain upon us.

The spectrum range of colour is well known with red as the basic, slowest vibratory rate to purple, with the fastest, finest vibration. These, in extremely subtle delicacy, are visible in the aura to those trained to observe.

It is essential is to realise that we all express ourselves through these different colour moods, attitudes and actions but we are all capable of tuning in and perfecting expression of the full range of the spectrum. At that stage we are capable of transmitting the White light that is the sum total or synthesis of all seven.

Red -in our nature as well as a love of this colour spells practical action, excitement, passion, intense desires, ambitions, courage, outgoing nature with a will to ‘come first’. When polluted or insipid could represent selfishness or rash nature. It is essentially male.

Orange- is a very warm and also outgoing energy indicating a warm heart, optimistic attitudes, and interest in health and good cheer. It is a sociable colour and although extrovert, is often seen as associated with the Moon. It is vital influence in understanding our subconscious mind.

Yellow, the colour of the Sun is naturally a powerful energy associated with creative thought, dignity, spirituality, universality and abundance. It represents pure gold or wealth, leadership and wisdom.

Green -is the soothing tone of Nature and it is rare that someone who loves green is not a nature lover of the forest, flower, seaside etc. Such a colour allows one to feel at home in natural surroundings rather than social environment. Green is the balancing agent and restorer.

Blue – the wonderful colour of harmony and peace – the colour that is attributed to the female goddesses and the Virgin Mary, or the Mother of the Earth. Blue soothes troubled waters and seeks the sea or sky for comfort. It is the nurturer, gentle and understanding.

Indigo – intense colour of the midnight sky. It represents the Mother principle but rather as the maternal carer of the sky rather than the earth. Those who love this colour tend to be investigators and researchers, seeking truth and the cause of things. Lover of the heavens.

Purple is a colour appreciated by religious devotees, by those who are purists in their chosen sphere, and by those who aspire to high ideals or have visions of helping the world by their existence and dedication. This is the highest spiritual colour keynote in us that permits self sacrifice for a greater good.

It is customary after concentration upon the spectrum colours or after meditating upon them, particularly after red or the other extreme, purple, that we conclude by return to green.

Meditation on White Light allows us to inwardly balance and harmonize all these colours to feel inwardly secure and at peace.

We all suffer at some time certain tiredness of the mind. Of course there are many causes. The most obvious ones often relate to study and intellectual demands through professions bearing heavy responsibility, or the self inflicted habit of cycling and recycling personal disturbing thoughts of anxiety related to everyday life.

Because our minds need to work efficiently to keep a balance between serious creative brain activity and rest periods when we ‘take our minds off the subject’ we must all find appropriate ways to counter any brain fatigue or strain.

If satisfied that we are spending the major part of our thinking time appropriately, then we have only to be sure that we are giving time to alternative thought time that allows our brains a ‘holiday’ from the usual.  We should not put undue self inflicted pressure or ambition upon ourselves.  But we are the only ones who can assess how much is too much regarding personal career effort or acceptance of responsibilities. However it is important that we are reminded to be kind to ourselves and find time for periods of true mental refreshment.

This is where hobbies are a great help and offer a direct line of pleasant activity. Another is to practise regularly the discipline of sitting still and ‘doing nothing’.  This is difficult for most of us reared in a society that encourages and respects activity.  But social attitudes can also breed stress. However you will find it easy if you follow a few simple steps.

Just taking a few minutes in private to sit still and rest your brain by closing your eyes to shut out extraneous light. Take 20 smooth, slow deep breaths. This has a revitalizing effect upon the brain through increased oxygen levels as well as a calming influence on the nervous system. It is important to breathe through the nose, not the mouth. After these few minutes, just remain still to enjoy the quieter state of mind that follows.

Although eyes are closed you will remain aware of everything around you but gradually find reduction in any reaction to noises and outside influences. Thoughts will come and go – do nothing to prevent them but let them pass like fish swimming by.

You may choose to spend only a few minutes this way but when you are comfortable and can remain longer, you will find it interesting experience as a prelude to further practice in meditation.

This seated position is the western style and often referred to as ‘the Egyptian’ seat for Meditation. The spine should be as erect as possible. Young people prefer the classical X legged positions used in Yoga. Either is fine, as long as the spine is upright and you are comfortable enough to forget about the body activity other than your breathing.

All meditative states of consciousness commence with a stimulus or focus. If we have a material focus such as a beautiful flower we will be inclined to expand our thoughts and emotions and also elevate them as we look at the intricate handiwork of nature and drink in its beauty.

We will do much the same when we contemplate any beautiful painting or object in a gallery or museum that displays the skill and the beauty of human creativity.

However, when we are viewing the grandeur, the expanses of Nature’s handiwork outside these restricted environments something is added to our consciousness. Whether we call it a greater appreciation, or realize the scope and grander scale of landscapes and complexities, or viewing it evokes an emotional response such as awe or even worship, we are entering a different state. From the comfort of the smaller sphere we are entering the explosive realization of the majesty of life that creates and maintains limitless life and beautiful forms on our planet.  We cannot help but stretch our hearts and minds in an effort to embrace the reality.  If we will allow it, this will invite immensely satisfying spiritual or soul experiences beyond the mundane to freshen our senses and mental perceptions.

The grander the landscape, the vaster the horizons, the more majestically we perceive Nature as a whole. As a scientist gazing for hours into the worlds of the minute dimensions would react to the sudden focus upon the most imposing examples of the magnitude of natural creations such as Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon outside, so we find our ‘muscles’ of consciousness undergo movement and changes when we switch from our little personal world to contemplate the realities of the universe beyond. In some measure this will tend to happen with all meditations to a greater or lesser degree.

Our expansions and contractions of consciousness are always likely to be exercised according to our personal interests, tasks and responsibilities. But it is generally in states or moods of stress that we suffer from contraction and feel tight, limited and insecure. We need then to relax, to stretch and to feel aware of the wonderful vastness of life as a whole, and so feel our soul embraced and safe.

Depression melts away when our mental waves and restless thought is stilled.

We learn to take pleasure in making no conscious effort.

We find that we enjoy periods of just Being.

And find that it is Good.

We learn to build a bridge between the differing realities of the material and subtler or spiritual states of consciousness. In states of relaxation and meditation, these two worlds tend to blend. We have a somewhat similar state that occurs between sleeping and waking. Ultimately they will become one to the extent that they will no longer seem isolated one from the other but will unite to create the integration which has inspired the name of Yoga – union.

Through meditation we learn to manage the mind and its resources and faculties. We also cultivate the best of our capacities for creative thought and ideas and to discover our innate strength and increase self-respect as well as refreshing our respect and reverence for great nature outside ourselves.

Our consciousness changes and grows with the practice of meditation. We learn to release strain of all kinds, stress due to problems and inner confusion and to expand instead of contracting and resisting life. This allows us to grow through acceptance of our own soul and its potential to make our own life as fine and good and happy as we wish it.

When meditating we tend to feel ‘in tune’ and anything seems possible.

Some develop a simple formula or procedure that is immediate in attuning them to the state that they desire, whether it is following physical exercise or Asanas, or breathing techniques or the silent repetition of a prayer or familiar saying.

Regardless of techniques if we are a sincere adventurer into the inner worlds of our nature we find constant discoveries that can rival any outer excitement. It  is this that entices us to maintain our meditation practice for a lifetime.

All of us long for profound, conscious realisation and confirmation of our beliefs.  It is natural that we seek to have a direct relationship with our Maker. To have an intimate inner knowledge of the Source of our life energy helps us to feel spiritually secure. Without this inner element, life can remain incomplete.

Most of us seek a degree of spiritual knowledge and understanding and have faith that it is our own spiritual experience that will confirm that knowledge. We have already arrived at some preconception about what constitutes God and Divinity and these are exercised when we start to meditate.

Our concepts of God and our relationship with the Divine are not all identical.  Some of us see the Divine as the Great Creative Fire and consider ourselves as little sparks of that same element

“As from a glowing fire, kindred sparkles come forth thousand-fold,

So from the Eternal, manifold beings are born  and return also.” Manduka Upanishad

Others conceive God as the Divine Ocean of Life and themselves as a mere droplet of that same element of water

“The dewdrop slips into the shining sea….” Buddha

Some people consider themselves as part of the universe and all manifested natural life and may seek to experience that Oneness by achieving harmony of being amongst the outwardly manifested world of supreme Nature.

Some yearn to identify themselves with the great force of Love and seek only to free themselves from the limitations of personal love to find a new identity as part of the eternal heart -beat that radiates Divine and Infinite Love.

There are of course many approaches to this most important and sacred relationship a human being possesses. Whilst determining our approach, we claim privacy and respect the privacy of others.  So our serious thoughts and attitudes to the ultimate Creative Intelligence are rarely expressed to others, until we feel a strong spiritual bond of understanding.

As to our manner of spiritual communing, this is also our private choice. Some of us elect to meditate in solitude, others in groups and formal religious ceremony and church ritual. No matter what way we choose, we find that meditation and prayer are inherent and are required to develop a state of stillness of both body and mind.

Meditation becomes our most vital means of distancing ourselves from worldly matters and identifying ourselves with our higher consciousness.  It provides us with the opportunity to put in perspective lesser issues and to gradually elevate our minds much as the direct upward movement of an elevator lifts us to a higher level.  In order to do this, we must first achieve body comfort and stillness and so rise above the body awareness to our subtler emotional and mental planes and feel in touch with our soul consciousness.

Following some degree of effort in concentration of thought is the receptive or ‘listening’ stage in meditation. This is a state of awaiting response. It is an effortless time where we experience an influx of new thoughts and experiences associated with our spiritual purpose.

There are good times when this process happens smoothly and difficult days when we cannot elevate to the desired mood. Positive experiences become our encouragement. These moments may come through psychic realization, dreams  or times of clear thought and intuition. As with everything else, it becomes easier as we become familiar with our different states of awareness in meditation.

It is through meditation that we arrive at personal experience and absorption in the quality which we seek to strengthen.  We have opportunity to discover a proven reality of the ideas we say we believe in.  We can find proof of our philosophy or sometimes that which confounds it, to cause us to modify our attitudes towards greater issues of life.

More expansive that prayer alone, meditation offers a two way communication between our lesser self and the higher self and between our personal consciousness and God.

We are free to develop our own life link with our Creator. This is usually established best through a simple mental approach and with patience, bearing in mind that it is our breath that provides the most obvious and ever present line of communication between the physical world and the invisible spheres of the Divine.

Beyond improved mental fitness, the ultimate benefits of meditation include not only a wider perception of life as a whole, but increased understanding, and a more vital, purposeful attitude towards our personal life. Not only do we become more self-confident of our own potential but feel more certain of the beneficence and magnitude of the world in which we live.The classical education in mental fitness advises that we use the simplest method that inspires us, or feels natural to us. It generally proves to be the best. Then it only requires our sincere aspiration and regular practice of meditation. It begins by selecting about twenty minutes or so of assured privacy in a pleasant or sacred place where we can be guaranteed to have no external interruption.

First is to attain a comfortable position for our bodies in which we can retain stillness. Some choose the western upright position in a straight backed chair, with feet together and hands on the thighs or on the lap. Others find the cross legged position of the lotus pose or asana, in the eastern tradition is a better and more comfortable choice.

It is required throughout reflective meditation to close the eyes gently in order to be aware of what is occurring in our inner consciousness rather than suffer the distractions of the world outside. Getting to known our inner world includes many facets of awareness that possibly have not been experienced since childhood, such as the colours, pictures or thoughts that pass across the screen of the mind. Our senses become more acute as we sit immobile for a period of time, at first from ten to twenty minutes with our only movement being through the established rhythm of our breathing.

So once a comfortable seated position has been mastered together with an ability to be physically still and regulate our breathing, we have successfully prepared to advance in the art of meditation and improving our mental fitness.

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: A Simple Self-Help Guide”, offers simple and timely solutions.

Modern sophisticated science of perfumery through the additional use of synthetics presents us with an overwhelming variety for personal selection of our body perfumes. These usually contain small amounts of natural ingredients but in the main reflect the wide use of chemicals.

As certain artificially produced scents can be harmful when inhaled, they are not recommended for use in either aromatherapy or for meditation. The olfactory sense is extremely delicate and can be seriously injured, as can the brain, by inhalation of the smell or vapours of toxic materials and by some chemical combinations. Only natural essential oils, resins or other plant material is safe to use in aiding meditation mental health and mental fitness.
Churches burn copious resins and oils in their traditional ritual incense following recipes that have proven themselves over centuries. Some of the ingredients are available to the public through church stores and this is a reliable basis for creating your own incense for private devotions.

However, many find incense sticks a safer and easier method of censing.

There are various other ways to use perfumes and incense to enhance your meditative mood. A drop of perfumed oil on a tissue provides a simple means of direct inhalation as you prepare for meditation by practising Yoga pranayama.

Your favourite perfumed oil rubbed between the palms of the hands as you begin to enter meditation practice ensures a pleasing release of perfume that endures throughout.

The most popular and delightful of the perfumed essential oils used in yoga meditations are lavender, jasmine, sandalwood, frankincense, neroli, lemon, rose, lemongrass, ylang-ylang and pine, each recommended to produce certain states or moods through stimulating the brain. There are also many others to enjoy.

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: A Simple Self-Help Guide”, offers simple and timely solutions.

Meditation is helpful in alleviating symptoms of mental illness; it also offers a vital aid in establishing a healthy condition of mental fitness; and it allows us to access our higher levels of consciousness that relate to our spiritual nature and aspirations. Many famous people in history from Pythagorus and Marcus Aurelius to present day philosophers confirm the value of meditation.

It is meditation that provides us with a temporary mental release from stress, anxiety and depression. Through meditation we learn to experience positive emotions, find the key to our own intellectual development and have opportunity to concentrate upon a new self-image. We experience a widening of our consciousness that brings a fresh understanding of spiritual life. There are many benefits, all of which contribute to our total well being.

Meditation is based upon maintaining stillness that allows all the passing thoughts in the mind to slow down; any disturbances in our emotions to become quiet; and in the stillness of the body to restore vitality according to nature’s design.  We all need a time of quiet when we can extricate ourselves from daily activity and responsibilities and just commune with nature. If we are able to practise meditation in the open air we experience added pleasure.

If you are unfamiliar with any techniques used in meditation it is best to discover the simple principles before you start. These will already be known to those who meditate regularly.

The over riding attitude that should prevail in order to feel all the benefits of meditation is to have a faith and confidence both within our nature as well as in nature outside in the beautiful and miraculous manifested world in which we live.

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book “Mental Fitness: A Simple Self-Help      Guide”, offers simple and timely solutions.

Because it is the most private of any ‘practices’, requiring a withdrawal from outer activity and retreat into one’s innermost being, it is essential that each chooses their own way – a way that feels natural and appropriate.

Generally, however, the simplest preparation and technique is best. An example will most likely be something like this…Preparation:
After applying certain physical techniques including exercises that allow a comfortable seated position to be assumed for a period of time, and breathing that increases general body energy, the eyes are closed. What follows becomes an internal process.

Sensitivity:
When the body is still, we experience a passive state but become increasingly aware of sensations and alertness of the senses that intensifies feeling rather than thinking awareness.

Breathing:
Conscious breathing allows some sense of movement particularly if one is inclined to deep breathe. Focus upon the fact of the breath being our lifeline to the invisible source of Universal Energy which sustains us. After establishing a breathing rhythm for some minutes it becomes easier to focus upon one’s thought.

Thought:
If time is not an issue, it is best to retain stillness, and a breathing rhythm. Allow any thoughts that pass upon the screen of the mind to have free passage, without any attempt to restrain them. This means the subconscious mind has its say before we apply concentration upon a single, selected thought.

Concentration Focus:
Focus upon a single thought or idea allows you to ‘tune in’ to a desired state or quality.
Usually this choice is quite personal and is related to our spiritual aspirations.  An example of a general theme is wishing to reach a state of a quiet mind, peaceful, stress free, comfortable and one that provides us you with a sense of complete security.

Meditation:
The mind relaxes, tired after determined concentration and this allows the meditative state, which is one of effortless expansion and elevation or entry into an awareness of the deeper chambers of the soul.
Here, there is no standard formula or technique, nor standard expectation as to what we find when we come face to face with these facets of our own consciousness that allow us to access the limitless spiritual Power and Intelligence of the Infinite.

Sally Janssen’s wonderful book Mental Fitness: A Simple Self-help Guide, offers simple and timely solutions.