Louise L. Hay is a truly remarkable woman with such an inspiring story to tell. You may have read her international best-selling book 'You Can Heal Your Life'. The Heal Your Life® work is explained in Heal Your Life® Series - Part 1 - Introduction: What is Heal Your Life®?.

I was first introduced to the Heal Your Life® work when I received a little white book with a big colourful heart on the front for my 21st birthday. Written on one of the first pages was a birthday greeting with the old-fashoned writing of my (then) step-father's mother. Although I didn't know it at the time, this is where my spiritual wings were really beginning to stretch. 

I believe that understanding the history of what has influenced us gives us a stronger connection and feeling of belonging to that connection. To be connected to our influences on such a deep level allows us to integrate them wholly in our lives and live authentically.

Focused Attention (or Concentration) Meditation such as the Buddhist Meditation type, Samatha Meditation, is about stilling the mind, in order to train it to concentrate. This can be an object, thought or emotion.

Unlike Mindfulness Mediation that was covered in Meditation Series - Part 5 - Techniques For Common Types Of Meditation - Mindfulness Meditation, Focused Attention Meditation does not require you to delve deeply into actually comprehending the point of focus. You just need to concentrate on it, without distraction.

Vipassana Meditation, Zen Meditation and Hindu Meditation are all meditation types that fall under the category of 'Mindfulness Meditation'. 

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy often features the practise of mindfulness, and mindfulness meditation is one of the more popular meditation practises. 

Mindfulness meditation involves practising being in, or being mindful of, the present moment. This may by achieved by focusing on an object, thought or feeling.

There are many different types or styles of meditation, providing their own specific benefits as well as having the collective benefits as mentioned in Meditation Series - Part 1 - Introduction: What Is Meditation? 

It doesn't really matter which type of meditation you begin with as practising any meditation will have benefits. Try aim for regular practise, starting with small periods of time, and work towards more extended periods as you are more practised. If you attempt extended periods in the beginning, it may prove to much to practise daily. You will be more likely to abandon the practise, and therefore abandon all the benefits it has to offer.

When you first begin a new meditation practise, it is common for your mind to be active and for your body to get fidgety. This is okay. Persevere, be gentle on yourself, and don't let it discourage you. Start with a small period of time, I suggest 3 minutes, and slowly increase the length over time as you become more skilled. 

One of the most common distractions is thinking about how much time has elapsed. 10 minutes can seem like an hour! To assist with letting your mind relax in to the meditation process, I suggest setting a timer (on your phone). Begin at 3 minutes so that you can really let go, knowing that the duration has a definite end, in order to hone your new skill. 

Heal Your Life® is the birth-child of world famous author, public speaker and self/spiritual-development guru, Louise L. Hay.

The core of Heal Your Life®  says that if you can change your thoughts, you can change your life. This concept is broken down into two areas;

1. You cannot change what is happening externally in your life, but you can change  the way you feel about what is happening; Changing your thoughts, changes your feelings/emotions.
2. The mind-body connection - Repetitive thought patterns may manifest physically in your body; Changing your thoughts, may change (and therefor may improve) your physical health.