DASA MEDITATION - Stress Reduction Made Easy
  • Home
    • Story
    • Image Gallery
  • Programs
  • Method
    • Certified Teachers
    • Mission
  • Research
  • Testimonials
  • FAQ
  • News
  • Contact
  • Blog
Founded 1975

The Healing Power of Nature and Meditation

4/9/2024

0 Comments

 
Picture
​“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”
​~Albert Einstein

April 2024
​By Lorraine Alexander
​
If asked, "Are you taking care of your health?" You may pause to think for a minute. Most people associate exercise, a balanced diet, hydration, and mental health with overall general health. And they would be correct in the most general sense. However, a component of human health must be considered—our exposure to technology.

In 1984 the term technostress was introduced.
Four decades later, many of us can relate to both the positive and negative influence of technology, including wifi, computers, cell phones, and social media. These technological advances add efficiency and convenience to life. Yet, at the same time, they also add stress. Everyone who sends a message expects a response. We feel the need to keep a presence online and in social circles. And in the workplace, our reputation depends on a speedy, accurate, and thoughtful response. 

With constant wifi connectivity, technostress threatens our health and lifestyle with complexity and information overload. There is a sub-current of uncertainty and angst as we face our ever-changing world of technology. In many ways, through the use of technology, we have become less connected to friends and business associates. 

Read More
0 Comments

Heart Health Awareness

2/12/2024

0 Comments

 
Picture
February 2024
​By Lorraine Alexander

NONDIRECTIVE MEDITATION IMPROVES HEART HEALTH ❤️


​Here's a great point of interest for this month's topic. Did you know that nondirective meditation benefits heart health in multiple ways?  We share five fascinating medical studies that you won't want to miss!

Improve heart rate variability (HRV).  Medical studies show nondirective meditation improves vagal nerve activity with increased Heart Rate Variability (HRV). Good HRV means a longer span between steady heartbeats and recovery with greater ease. 

Improve vagal tone.  The vagus nerve is the 10th cranial nerve, the longest nerve of the human body. It is responsible for our heart, lungs, and digestion. This system has two branches: the sympathetic response responsible for "fight or flight," and the parasympathetic response responsible for "rest and digestion." Nondirective meditation engages the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic relaxation response, at the same time, the sympathetic stress response lessens. 

Read More
0 Comments

Sage Principles: The Misconceptions of Meditation

6/1/2022

2 Comments

 
Audio + pdf - Volume 1: Session 1 - ​Live your best life.
There is an expansive vista of life which can only be seen as we rise in awareness. 
This audio session explores both the misconceptions of meditation and what can be gained with regular practice. Sage Principles audio sessions are the courtesy of DASA Meditation. 


​Save this session: pdf article with links to three relevant studies (read time 2 min 13 sec). 

Could others benefit from this topic? If yes, share your comments and give us a "like" on the link below. Thanks so very much!
2 Comments

Hope Rises

1/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Image credit: Saffu
Picture
Picture
"There is the mud, and there is the lotus that grows out of the mud. We need the mud in order to make the lotus." —Thich Nhat Hanh

By Lorraine Alexander
Read time 2 minutes 5 seconds
Read the full article 
Hope Rises

Many of us focus on the broken, undone, or what's missing in life. This message offers hope and the opportunity for a new beginning.

COVID is by far one of the darkest storms we have encountered in our lifetime. And as the crippling effects carry into the third year, it's natural to pause and ask: What will the future hold? 

During difficult times, we choose to look through one of two lenses. The first lens is fear, uncertainty, and judgment; the second is a lens of love, acceptance, and hope for the planet and humanity. 

Look for a global rise in awareness.
Looking past the chaos of the media, we continue to see an abundance of online courses, books, videos, and articles, directed toward a movement to awaken our consciousness. We see more people speaking out—and reaching out to help their fellow man. This offers us hope that out of this mud, together we will rise to a higher state of being. 

For the many of us who believe in a higher power, there is a simple yet profound quote by Thich Nhat Hanh, "No mud, no lotus."  In essence, the lotus must transform by rising, struggling upward through the mud to reach a new beginning, a higher level of development, expansion, and growth of awareness. 

Now is the time to comfort others by being fully present. Make them smile, say something special, gently reassure them. This is something known as being a "frequency holder," a term coined by Eckhart Tolle.

Read More
0 Comments

COVID-19 In Times of Stress: Seven Anti-Anxiety Strategies

4/2/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
From the March 10, 2020 DASA Newsletter
We live in uncertain times, especially in the last six months. Historic wildfires due to climate change, adversity in our elections, and with the new global health concern COVID-19, everyone is uneasy.

There is an abundance of "stay-safe" guidelines for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) offered by every news network and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), all vital information to stay healthy.

Medical professionals report that by maintaining a healthy immune system, we add another level of defense against this virus. They advise us to get plenty of sleep and to avoid stress. Yet, stress is the very thing that keeps us from a sound night's sleep.
​

In my mind, they go hand in hand. Lower your stress and you'll get better sleep. Easy to say, yet difficult to achieve. That is unil now.
Picture

Get beyond a time of stress to a place of resilience.
​


Read More
0 Comments

The Vedic Way: Transform Your Life Path to a Place of Balance with Meditation

7/4/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture

Image Pricilla Dupreez
The success of a student in their meditation practice may have everything to do with two single factors, the commitment of the student, and the awareness of the teacher.
 By Lorraine Alexander, July 4, 2019 
​
In today's complex and uncertain world, meditation is an essential daily ritual used to enhance personal stability, reduce stress, and preserve a balanced lifestyle. According to the Mayo Clinic, meditation ranks in the top three "must-do list" to improve health, along with eating healthy and exercising. Learning to meditate is like having a dose of the perfect health elixir, offering a blend of unparalleled benefits. And best of all, the practice can enrich one's life by improving self-awareness. The bottom line is this, life with meditation can feel amazing.

Americans paid attention to this ancient practice once meditation hit the cover of Time Magazine and Scientific American. Then, America's top CEOs, famed actors and actresses, and NFL football team members all came forth to proclaim their health and personal success was credited in large to their daily Vedic meditation practice.

The mind-body wellness of meditation
Meditation is a vehicle that can transport you from frenzied to calm, taking you back to your center, a position of balance. For creatives, the meditative state is the point of pure inspiration. To layer even more benefits, there is an absurdly long list of medically-backed health benefits for the mind and body, such as heart health, brain health, deeper sleep, lower stress, and the ability to flex easily with the occasional curveball that life may throw.
Picture
One single question that begs to be answered about meditation
Over the years, I find people continue to ask me the same question over and over, "What is the best form of meditation?" There are many useful meditation forms; some are simply more effective than others. This article explains two fundamental approaches to meditation. 

Directive versus non-directive meditation
Within the practice of meditation, there are two primary categories, directive and non-directive. The directive form requires focused attention, while the non-directive form allows the mind to wander. Although the origins of both forms emerged from religious roots, many contemporary versions have risen—free from dogma and religion, with a primary focus on stress reduction, health, and happiness. ​
Picture

Read More
0 Comments

A Beginners Guide to Stress Reduction and Mind-Body Wellness

4/1/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture
​​Image Kal Loftus
Doctors report that 75% of all illness is caused by stress. Yet, we walk through each day unaware of the stress response, a warning signal that calls out for rest, relaxation, and balance.
By Lorraine Alexander
Resilience by definition is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. The pressures of life continue to mount, especially in the workplace. Stress management techniques preserve the quality and longevity of life. 

Today's world is multifaceted, and stress pervades our life each and every day. Traffic builds, three jobs are funneled into one, financial pressure increases as housing costs rise, violence dominates our schools, social pressures rise, there is a mounting sea of new technology,  moreover, we have an uncertain future with climate change. As a teacher of meditation and mind-body wellness, I see firsthand the impact of these stressors.
Picture
This article will answer three vital questions:​​
  • How does stress affect the body?
  • Can stress be held at bay?  
  • What steps can be taken to restore health and happiness?​

Read More
1 Comment

The Secret of Self-Actualization: Fulfilling a Yearning that Won’t Quit

4/4/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Guest article by Dee Gans, September 2016
Jump into the ocean of being authentic

People on the self-actualization path know ‘the best-kept secret’ - and they live it in their everyday life. Now, many of them want to share this adventure of personal empowerment with others.
 
A fresh approach to self-empowerment
​

Millions are yearning for the ultimate secret in life. Some spend thousands of dollars on pricey seminars and trainings, to gain this competitive edge. Others blindly follow self-appointed experts, just to get a glimpse through someone else’s experience. The truth is there are some ‘rare birds’ that know where the real deal and personal power can be found - and how to access it. It's different than what most of us have been taught. It takes a shift in perspective.

Read More
0 Comments

Meditation: Develop Seven Life Skills Worthy of a Jedi

12/15/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture

​Make meditation a priority; cultivate the seven transformative life skills.
​Then, "Live life as if it's skewed in your favor." ~Rumi
Written in honor of the treasured Star Wars movie series.

​Awaken the Force Within
​By Lorraine Alexander
​

The actor Mark Hamill portrayed the beloved character Luke Skywalker the Jedi apprentice, in the hit movie Star Wars: The Force Awakens. As the story evolves, Luke grew to become a guardian of peace and justice. He dedicated himself to personal growth and the way of the Jedi. Once he developed these noble values, only then did he find the ability to tap into "the Force.”
Who wouldn’t love to wake up each day feeling that you are on top of your game like Luke? Backed by an abundance of medical studies, many experts concur that meditation delivers new levels of health, wellness, mood, and mental clarity. Consider this, let's say you invest 40 minutes (20 min. twice a day), and for that small investment of time, you receive a substantial return in health, clarity, and creativity. Most meditators agree wholeheartedly that after meditation they have greater focus and energy; they accomplish more in their day; they find their day is suddenly more enjoyable.
​

Read More
0 Comments

Recalculating...Redefining Happiness with Meditation

6/1/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
Image©[email protected]
Recalculating...
Redefining Happiness with Meditation

By Lorraine Alexander

You've planned out your life perfectly. You've made all the right choices, calculating each move like a seasoned chess player. By all standards, you are a success. But somehow, life didn’t turn out exactly as you planned. Underneath lie feelings of dissatisfaction, with a yearning for something more. You have a beautiful home, a loving family, and the successful job that dreams are made of. Yet, there is still something missing—like a thirst you just can't quench. ​
The best-kept secret: Happiness, it isn't "out there." 
It's been within you the entire time.

Read More
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Blog author

    Gone to meditate...

    Picture
    Never miss another article. Receive our monthly blog article, join the email list on the link below with easy unsubscribe.
    Picture

    RSS Feed


    Categories

    All
    Abraham Maslow
    Aging
    Albert Einstein
    Alzheimer’s
    Awareness
    Balance
    Brain Health
    Business Trends
    Calm
    Clarity
    Compare Methods
    Compassion Fatigue
    Concentration
    Creativity
    Deep Breathing
    Diaphragmatic Breathing
    Earthing
    Emotional Health
    Emotional Intelligence
    Energy
    Focus
    Gratitude
    Growth Of Awareness
    Happiness
    Harmony
    Health
    Heart Health
    Higher Knowing
    History-of-meditation
    Inner Knowing
    Intention
    Intuition
    Law Of Attraction
    Law Of Vibration
    Leadership
    Longevity
    Lower Blood Pressure
    Mantra
    Maslow's Hierarchy Of Needs
    Meditation
    Memory
    Mind-body-spirit
    Mindfulness
    Nature
    Nobel Prize
    Non Directive Meditation
    Non-directive Meditation
    Pain Management
    Paradigm
    Productivity
    Relaxation Techniques
    Resilience
    Self Actualization
    Self Awareness
    Self Care
    Self Cultivation
    Self-fulfillment
    Silence
    Silent Mantra Mediation
    Sleep
    Stress Reduction
    Sustainable Practice
    Technostress
    Telomeres
    Vedic Meditation
    Well-being
    Wellness
    Willpower
    Wisdom

    Archives

    January 2025
    November 2024
    July 2024
    April 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    November 2021
    July 2021
    September 2020
    April 2020
    July 2019
    April 2019
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015

Picture
DASA Meditation
Stress reduction made easy, since 1975
UNITED STATES . CANADA . JAPAN
Be informed: Get DASA articles and events delivered to your inbox. 
© 2025 DASA Meditation, all rights reserved since 1975
Picture
DASA Meditation partners with organizations and resources that embrace sustainable practices.

DASA Meditation

P.O. Box 1199   
Windsor, CA  95492-1199  
9am-5pm Monday - Friday PST
www.DASAmeditation.org
Learn  more by  visiting  the DASA Blog.

Contact Info

707 . 620 .  5070 (California)
800 . 976 . DASA (3272)
Contact us!
i[email protected]
Download the DASA Brochure

Celebrating 50 Years 

"DASA Meditation takes you to the best version of yourself." ​ —Karen D.
"DASA Meditation is like having your very own private pool of tranquility."  —Lorraine A.

The information provided on this website is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, or as a substitute for medical care. Always contact a health or medical professional if you have any health or medical concerns. 

Content including images displayed on this website are protected by copyright law.
Republication or reproduction of website content is prohibited. 

​