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Sean Martinez\u00a0<\/strong> | Copy Editor<\/span><\/p>\n With midterms looming on the horizon, getting into a relaxed state of mind can be challenging for students. One of the more helpful ways of achieving that is through meditation. There are many different practices, ranging from sitting in one place to simply walking around the block.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Dr. Lars S\u00f6derlund, the Chair of the English Department, leads a Meditation Club in the hopes of providing students with an outlet to reduce stress.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For the past five years, S\u00f6derlund has utilized all kinds of meditations. The first method S\u00f6derlund explained was \u2018concentration meditation.\u2019 It\u2019s one of the most commonly practiced meditations, which involves sitting in a comfortable place, with eyes closed and directing one\u2019s attention to a single thing at a time. This can be breathing, posture, physical pain, anything. The aim is to be aware of the things the mind is focusing on. If the mind starts to sway off topic, try to shift the focus back to the initial focus.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cYou can be more or less specific, you just want to make sure that you\u2019re acknowledging what\u2019s happening and moving back to the breath,\u201d S\u00f6derlund said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Another form of meditation that S\u00f6derlund recommended is \u2018loving-kindness.\u2019 The \u2018loving-kindness\u2019 meditation, or <\/span>Maitr\u012b, is a Buddhist meditation method that wishes goodwill to oneself and others. Phrases can begin with \u2018May I be happy\u2019 or \u2018May I be healthy and safe,\u2019 but the phrases can be whatever is desired. These phrases can also be wished upon other people \u2014 loved ones, acquaintances, disagreeable people or even the whole world.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAnd when I do that everyday I feel like a million bucks,\u201d S\u00f6derlund added.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n S\u00f6derlund\u2019s overall favorite meditation is called \u201cdo nothing.\u201d The instructions are straight-forward \u2014 sit in one place and allow the mind to go wherever it wants to go. This strategy in particular can be helpful to students as it\u2019s normal to have random, recurring thoughts happen in the middle of class. Dedicating some time to let these thoughts loose can be a huge relief.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve had the greatest revelations while doing it,\u201d S\u00f6derlund said. \u201cYou realize your brain kinda runs on autopilot.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n These are just a few of several meditation methods. S\u00f6derlund also says that meditations can be done with apps \u2014 there are several \u2014 or they can be self-guided. Meditation Club takes place in Bellamy Hall room 122 every Monday from 5-6 p.m.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n