Don't Think, Just Be

Lately I've been deeply disturbed by the world we live in today. I suppose I was already deeply disturbed by the world before too, but recently its been more on my mind. The presidential election, the ongoing occupation of Iraq, the economy, work (and lack of), family, friends, etc. have all been weighing heavily on my conscious and, at times, fighting off depression. So, what's a sensitive type to do? Take Prozac? No thanks! Actually, I've taken up meditation. I've been experimenting with mandala meditations. In this type of meditation you use an image (there are hundreds of mandalas from the very ancient to more contemporary) and simply allow your eyes to focus on it without thinking about it in any way. It's almost like being lost in a stare. This is open eye meditation which helps keep you awake but still allows you to enter an alpha state (the brain slows) and, well I anyway, feel somehow calmer about everything after.