Mesothelioma Treatment: Exploring Meditation

Meditating regularly can help you feel more in control of yourself, your life, and your mesothelioma. People in all major religions of the world use meditation exercises, but it is not necessary to have any religious belief in order to meditate. Think of meditation as a mental exercise that can help you relax deeply and calm your mind, helping reduce the fear, pain, anxiety and depression. 

All these feelings may affect you as you live with mesothelioma; it's not unusual to feel you have lost control. Regular meditation is now recognized as being able to reduce pulse rate and lower blood pressure and stress chemicals in the body.

There are many different types and styles of meditation. One type of meditation practice is described below:

Learning to meditate

• Set aside some time - 10-20 minutes early in the morning or before you go to sleep at night. Find a quiet place in your home where you will not be disturbed. It is helpful to keep the same place for meditation as this reinforces the habit. It also gives that place in your home a special significance.
• Next find a suitable chair or meditation cushion. Meditation is best practiced sitting up. Of course you can meditate lying down on your bed, but you are more likely to fall asleep. Meditation is not sleeping - you should be alert and awake. However, you can use meditation to help you to go to sleep.
• Choose a chair which is comfortable and which has a straight back. You may like to support your back with a cushion or pillow. Keep your head, neck and spine erect. If your feet do not reach the floor comfortably put a small cushion underneath them. If you prefer to sit on the floor, cross your legs in front of you in the most comfortable position while sitting on small cushion.
• Close your eyes and place your hands on your thighs. Be aware of your breathing. Spend a few minutes focusing your attention on your breath. Just breathe naturally - you do not need to try to control your breathing. Turn your attention to your forehead. Relax the muscles of your forehead. Relax the muscles of your eyes. Relax the muscles of your face. Check that your jaw is not too tightly closed and that your tongue is lying easily in your mouth. Relax your shoulders. Relax your hands and fingers. Relax your chest and abdomen. Relax your thighs, knees, ankles and feet.
• Bring your attention back to your breathing. Let the breath become smooth and even.
  
  Pause.
• Now as you breathe in, think the word 'so', silently and without moving your lips. As you breathe out, think the word 'hum', silently and without moving your lips. Continue to breathe smoothly and evenly, repeating the sounds 'so' and 'hum' as you breathe in and out. If any thoughts, worries or distractions come into your mind, allow them to come and then go, bringing your attention back to your breathing and the sounds 'so' and 'hum'. Continue for another 5-10 minutes, repeating the sounds internally in time with your breathing.
• When you are about to stop, gently move your fingers and toes. Take a few deeper breaths in and out and gently open your eyes.