Meditating Man

Meditation is a process of lightening up, of trusting the basic goodness of what we have and who we are, and of realizing that any wisdom that exists, exists in what we already have. We can lead our life so as to become more awake to who we are and what we’re doing rather than trying to improve or change or get rid of who we are or what we’re doing. The key is to wake up, to become more alert, more inquisitive and curious about ourselves. - Pema



Introduction


100 Breaths is a system of meditation designed to be practiced by anyone who desires to learn meditation and enjoy the benefits without being tied to a particular philosophical or religious doctrine. 100 Breaths is meditation without rituals, dogma, or other spiritual overtones.

I first became introduced to meditation in 1975 while still in high school. I felt the benefits immediately and became forever intrigued by the power of this simple yet effective activity. I meditated twice daily and found that I could easily relax and noticed the sensation of having a clear head. I found I could create relaxation-on-demand to instantly de-stress or recharge my batteries. I also found meditation to be an excellent precursor to activities that required focused concentration and a specific frame of mind, such as sports or taking a test.

Over the last 48 years, I have studied many different styles of meditation and practiced various techniques. I found that each style had its own peculiar process or ritual based on the origins of that technique. Some were rooted in eastern spiritual practices (Hinduism, Taoism, and Buddhism); some evolved from energy work associated with the principles of oriental medicine used in Tai Chi or Qi Gong to manipulate the Chi energy. Still, other systems were developed as part of western psychology as relaxation techniques (Relaxation Response). After studying and practicing various systems, I have settled in with a blend of techniques that, together, form the 100 Breaths system or method of meditation. With 100 Breaths, I have tried to synthesize what I have learned through my exposure to many different meditation techniques into a simple yet effective how-to manual.

As a mainstream business executive, working as the CEO of a mid-size company and living in the suburbs, I get interesting looks when I mention meditation in casual conversation. I usually get one of two reactions. The first is that the other person keeps right on talking and acts as though they never heard me mention it. The second reaction would be genuine curiosity, interest in meditation, and wanting to learn more. People interested in meditation usually have a minimal idea of what it is and why they would do it. If they do have any knowledge at all, it is often riddled with misconceptions.

I devised the 100 Breaths Meditation System to share what I have learned and introduce people to a simple procedure that brings immediate and profound benefits to them when practiced. It is really all you ever need to reap the benefits that meditation has to offer. The purpose of this website is to share something that has benefited me greatly and make it available to others. Meditation is an activity that yields physical, mental, and emotional benefits, pure and simple. If I can change just one person's life by sharing the 100 Breaths system and motivating them into action, then the effort will have been worthwhile.

Happy Meditating,
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