Article: This blend contains castile soap, so the shaving cream has a nice foamy lather when you apply it to wet skin. If you like a sudsier cream to use on your face, legs or underarms, this homemade recipe is for you. Here's what you'll need:  1/4 cup coconut oil 2 tablespoons shea or cocoa butter 1/4 cup aloe vera gel 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/4 cup liquid castile soap 10 drops essential oil of your choice Empty liquid soap dispenser (preferably a foaming dispenser) Both shea butter and coconut oil are solid at room temperature, so it's necessary to melt them in order to blend them properly. Measure out 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) shea butter (or cocoa butter) and 1/4 cup coconut oil. Place the ingredients in a small saucepan. Melt them over low heat, stirring occasionally until they liquify, then remove the pan from heat. Pour all the ingredients together into a blender. Blend on high for several minutes to fully mix the ingredients together; this will prevent the oil and soap from separating later. The resulting liquid should have the texture of thick liquid soap. Some castile soap comes with a scent, so you can skip this step if your shaving cream already has an aroma. If you want to add your own essential oils, stir in 10 drops of your favorite oil or blend.  You can add up to 20 drops of essential oil if you like a stronger scent. Try one of these mixtures: rose and vetiver; sandalwood and orange; fir and mint. Your shaving cream is now ready to use; just pump some out as you need it. It will foam as you apply it to your face. If the mixture separates in the container, shake well to recombine the oils and soap.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Gather your ingredients. Melt the shea butter and coconut oil. Blend with the aloe vera, baking soda and liquid castile soap. Add ten drops of essential oil. Pour the mixture into the liquid soap dispenser.
Article: Buddhists have been practicing meditation for more than 2,500 years. Now roughly 10% of Americans meditate as well. Several studies have been conducted showing that meditation can significantly improve perception. Participants in one study were able to detect small visual variations. They had abnormally long attention spans as well. Another demonstrated that the regions in the brain associated with a) sensitivity to body signals and b) sensory processing have increased grey matter when a person regularly meditates.  Grey matter is a type of tissue in the Central Nervous System that processes information and triggers a sensory response to it.  It is believed that meditating creates more neural connections in the prefrontal cortex of the brain. This region processes sensory information, handles rational decision-making and regulates the amygdala. Teaching yourself to relax, to tune things out, and to be receptive – rather than reactive – to the moment enhances your ability to receive cues around you. Meditation is an umbrella term for the ways you can achieve a relaxed state of being. Different types of meditation have different meditative processes. Here are some of the most widely practiced types of meditation.  Guided meditation is led by a teacher, therapist or guide who talks you through visualizing images of people, places, things and experiences that you find relaxing. Mantra meditation involves repeating a calming word, thought or phrase to prevent distracting thoughts from entering your mind. Mindfulness meditation asks that you focus on the present moment and your breathing. Observe your thoughts and emotions without judging them harshly. Qi gong combines meditation, physical movement, breathing exercises and relaxation to restore balance in your thinking. Tai chi is a form of the Chinese martial arts, but movements and postures are slow. You need to also focus on deep breathing. Transcendental meditation involves silently repeating a personal mantra – a word, sound or phrase – to get your body into a state of deep relaxation. Here your mind can strive for inner peace. Yoga is the practice of performing a series of postures and breathing exercises to create a more flexible body and a calm mind. Going from one pose to another requires concentration and balance. Therefore, the emphasis is on thinking only of the present moment. You can practice meditation on your own at any point in the day. You don't need a formal class. The length of time you meditate is not as important as doing it regularly, and to the point of relaxation.  Breathe deeply and slowly through your nose. Concentrate on feeling and listening as you inhale and exhale. When your mind wanders, focus back on your breathing. Scan your body and become aware of any sensations you feel. Focus your attention on different parts of your body. Combine this with breathing exercises to relax each part of your body. Create your own mantra and repeat it throughout the day. Walk slowly, anywhere, and focus on the movement of your legs and feet. Repeat action words in your mind, such as “lifting” or “moving," as you place one foot in front of another. Pray in spoken or written form using your own words or those written by others. Read poetry or books that are sacred to you, and then reflect on the meaning of what you read. You can also listen to music or spoken words that are inspiring or relaxing. Afterward, write down your reflections or discuss them with another, if you choose. Focus on a sacred object or being and think loving, compassionate and grateful thoughts. You can also close your eyes and visualize the object or being.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Meditate to improve perception. Learn about the types of meditation. Discover ways to practice it daily.