How to Cultivate a Habit of Book Reading

Many of you might have thought to develop the habit of reading books but certainly failed in it due to various reasons. However, book reading if not known to you can be more entertaining and fill you with more knowledge that any other source. As a book can teach you many things that are beyond your daily horizons and could be your best companion, developing a habit of reading book would always prove beneficial. The benefits of reading books are huge and one can't even imagine how much knowledge one can acquire through them.



If you're among those who are trying continuously to cultivate the habit of book reading, below listed tips can help you bring success in that.


•Imagine that book reading is interesting and it will help to blow away your boredom. Pick interesting books at the start so that you can enjoy while reading and gradually reach the level of perfection of reading books.


•Set times and make sure that you read a book daily on those set times, whether for 5 minutes or more as it helps in retaining your interest. Make sure that you read daily as per your schedule-no matter what- as it acts as triggers for reading.


•Carry a book with you wherever you go as you can read it whenever you find time such as while waiting for appointment or during free hours in your office. It's a great way to pass time.


•If you have a desire to read certain books, make a list of them and keep in your desktop or at some other secure place. Read all the listed books one by one and keep on adding new books to the list whenever you hear about it from a friend, colleague or some other sources.


•Choose a quiet place to read books. You can either find a quiet place in your own house or outside such as a park, etc. Choose a place that offers no distraction or minimum distraction while reading so that you can enjoy that phase and involve yourself fully in the situation you're reading.


•Instead of spending time on other sources of entertainment such as television, internet, etc, try to read. Cut off your time on other activities as it can add hours to the activity of reading books.


•Before start reading a particular book, make a log describing when you have started and by when it should be finished and follow it strictly. In this manner, you'll be able to engage in reading as you have to keep a track of your log.


•Choose some of your favored book stores and visit them once in a month or so to keep abreast about the current editions of your favorite authors or series. Don't miss your chance to get the latest edition as soon as it launches.


•Make a library in your home to accommodate all your books that you have read so far and to add many more.

Basics of Meditation

How meditation works?


When you meditate, the mind becomes calm, tranquillity spreads through the body, healing and rejuvenating at the deepest level of being. It is thus a trump card to good health, tranquillity and inner harmony.

The best time to meditate is early morning or at night. But you can practise it while commuting to work, during a spare moment at the office or any other time. Make a 'sankalpa' - a resolution - to do it daily, ideally at the same time and same place. Try it for a month and see the difference. Once you get into the habit and start enjoying this private time to yourself, it will soon become your most treasured hour of the day.

The ABCD of meditation

Meditation works wonders, renews your spirit, vitalises your body, sharpens your mind, opens your heart and expands your consciousness. It acts as a buffer against stress and emotional problems.

•Stage A: Body awareness

Spend a few moments in becoming aware of your body and your posture. Run your awareness systematically through the various parts of your body. Become aware of any aches, pains or tension and work mentally towards releasing the tensions and relaxing each part of the body.

Sit in any comfortable meditative posture - 'sukhasana', 'vajrasana', 'padmasana', or lie down flat on your back in 'shavasana'. Close your eyes. Relax.

Become aware of your body and your posture. Make sure your head, neck and spine are in a straight line. Become aware of any sensations in the body. Move your awareness through one complete body rotation. Then try to maintain a uniform homogenous awareness of the whole body.

Become aware of the stillness of the body. Intensify that awareness. Although your thoughts may stray, maintain awareness of the physical body.

Once again, move your awareness to the different parts of the body. Try to feel every inch of your body as intensely as you can.

Once again, be aware of your whole body.

Breath awareness

Stage B

Become aware of your natural breathing. Imagine you're breathing in and out from your heart. Count every inhalation and exhalation from 50 to 0. Inhale 50, exhale 50; inhale 49, exhale 49, and so on. If you lose count, start again. If you are short of time, practise for 10 to 20 counts.

Antar mouna

Stage C: 'Antar mouna'

The first two stages are meant for preparing the body and mind for meditation. Now, you can practise this simple version of antar mouna which means 'inner silence'.

Mentally prepare yourself by saying, " I am ready to practise 'antar mouna'. Next, become acutely aware of your external environment - all external sounds near and far. Become aware of all sensations of heat, cold, comfort and discomfort. Heighten the awareness of all your senses - touch, taste, smell and sound.

Become aware of all your thoughts. Accept whatever comes. Do not oppose or suppress any thoughts. Just remain an uninvolved, silent and alert witness. Whatever your thoughts might be, look at them indifferently, with detachment, as a witness. Do not lose yourself in any experience but maintain constant awareness "I am only the seer or the witness."

Choose a thought of your own free will. Reflect on it for some time and then let go. Choose another thought, stay with it for a while and let go of it. Repeat this process a couple of times. Then once again, simply watch your spontaneous thoughts. Try and calm the mind for a while and sit in thoughtless awareness.

Coming out of meditation

Stage D

Shift your awareness back to your breathing and the physical body. Move to the external environment and the surrounding sounds. Once your awareness is externalised, gently open your eyes.

Thanks to Sitagita.com