Modernizing Meditation sidebar:
The Meditation Chamber Experience Images and sound blend to relax the user.

THE FEMALE VERSION of the meditation chamber is narrated by a calm, almost monotonic female voice as quiet symphonic music plays in the background during the introduction. Nature sounds later dominate the audio experience. The session begins with a simple relaxed breathing exercise.

image courtesy Larry Hodges The sun sets as "meditation chamber" users relax their breathing and muscles.

"Imagine that you are looking at the sun just before sunset. As you relax, the sun will drift lower and lower in the sky. Breathe deeply, and flush your mind of worldly concerns. As your relaxation deepens, the sun will slip beneath the horizon, plunging you into the peaceful night."

CRICKETS QUIETLY CHIRP AS NIGHT FALLS. "Let's try again. Imagine that you are looking at the night sky. As you relax, the moon will climb higher and higher into the heavens. Remember to breathe deeply and clear your mind. As your relaxation deepens, the moon will ascend high into the night, radiating its warmth and peaceful glow."

CRICKETS CONTINUE TO HARMONIZE THEIR METHODIC CALL. "Next we will proceed with a guided muscle relaxation exercise. Breathe deeply and relax. Let's begin. Legs. Build up the tension in both legs by clinching your toes and pulling them up toward you. Also, clinch your upper and lower leg muscles. Feel the pulling, the tightening and the discomfort. Focus on this sensation as you hold the tension for a bit longer. And release. Feel the warmth and relaxation of the release."

ARMS ARE NEXT. Make fists and turn them in toward your body. Now pull your upper arms into your sides, trying to tense all the muscles in your arms and shoulders. Feel the tightness as you hold the tension a bit longer. And release. Again, feel the relaxing sensation of the release.

STOMACH. Hold it in toward your spine. Release. Relax.

CHEST. Draw in a deep breath and hold it, building up the tension in your chest. Hold the breath a bit longer and release. Expel the tension as you exhale. Resume a normal breathing pattern.

SHOULDERS. Build up tension by pulling them up and toward your ears. Feel the tension radiate down your back and up your neck. Let your shoulders fall gently, letting them droop further and further toward the floor as you relax.

NECK. Pull your chin down tight toward your chest. Shift your head back between your shoulders. Feel the tension and then release. Rotate your head within a comfortable range of motion.

MOUTH. Clinch your teeth and pull the corners of your mouth into a forced smile. Feel the tension in your jaw and release. Let your jaw drop back to a comfortable position.

EYES. Squeeze your eyes tightly shut. Feel the tension in your cheekbones and across your temples. Release and let the tension evaporate.

Now begin a meditation exercise called "following your breath."

"Breathe deeply, then normally, focusing on the sensation of your breath coming and going through your nostrils. Inhale and exhale normally. Give your full attention to the coming and going of your breath. If your mind begins to wander, or other concerns creep into your awareness, push them aside calmly and firmly. Be aware only of your breath. Only of your breath. In and then out. Only of your breath."

THERE ARE NO SOUNDS NOW. The meditator is tempted to sleep. Then the calm female voice quietly states: "This concludes your session in the meditation chamber. ... Remember you can enter the meditation chamber at any time and from anywhere because you carry it with you always."

— Jane M. Sanders

For more information, contact Larry Hodges, Department of Computer Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28223-0001. (Telephone: 704-687-4880) (E-mail: lfhodges@uncc.edu);   Diane Gromala, School of Literature, Communication and Culture, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA 30332-0165 (Telephone: 404-385-1496) (E-mail: diane.gromala@lcc.gatech.edu);   or Chris Shaw, College of Computing, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA 30332-0280. (Telephone: 404-894-6328) (E-mail: christopher.shaw@cc.gatech.edu).

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Last updated: July 25, 2002