Do you have a crazy, busy life and need to destress? Do you need a quiet place to go to meditate?

The Osage Beach Library is opening its meeting room on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. to everyone who would like to join our meditation time. You are welcome to stay the whole hour, but you don’t need to. We intend to provide space for those who want to learn about meditation or are already well-versed in the art. 

We will discuss different types of meditation, such as transcendental meditation (TM), loving-kindness meditation (LKM), and Centering Prayer. We will also explore apps like Calm, Headspace, and Insight Timer, to name a few, or how to utilize your FitBit during meditation sessions.

Transcendental Meditation (TM)

Origins: TM originates in the ancient yogic wisdom of India and was passed on through the teachings of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi (1917 – 2008)

Meaning of TM: Transcendental meditation is the practice of detaching oneself from anxiety, promoting self-realization and harmony through meditation, repeating a mantra, and other yogic practices.

The benefits of TM include lower blood pressure, improved brain function and memory, reduction of stress and anxiety, a greater sense of calmness throughout the day, and many more. TM aims to achieve a state of inner peace and bodily calm.

Loving-Kindness Meditation (LKM)

Origins: LKM has its roots in Buddhism and in Pali is known as metta Bhavana

Meaning of LKM: Loving-kindness meditation focuses on sending goodwill, kindness, and warmth to others by silently reciting a series of mantras.

The benefits of LKM include an increased capacity for forgiveness, enhanced connection with others, self-acceptance, and more.

Centering Prayer Meditation

Origins: While Centering Prayer may be one of the newer practices of meditation (founded in the 1970s during Vatican II’s invitation to revive early Christian contemplative teachings), Its roots date back much further. And are based on Lectio Divina and the practices described in the classic fourteenth-century The Cloud of Unknowing.

Centering Prayer has a strong connection and emphasis placed on interior silence. While not intended to replace other forms of prayer, Centering Prayer is used by many to add depth of meaning to all other prayers.

Those who practice Centering Prayer say that they benefit from a significant increase in creativity, a decrease in compulsive behaviors, a greater ability to accept difficult situations with joy and happiness with they occur, the ability to love others more selflessly, and more.

Meditation Books Available From Your Library 

For ebooks, audiobooks, and other electronic resources on meditation please visit our Digital Library to see what Missouri Libraries 2 Go and hoopla have available.