Meditation
What is Meditation?
Conscious breathing. Take a deep breath inhale and exhale through the nose.
To focus on one particular thought, calming or silencing the mind. These all define meditation. However, I think there is something to truly understand about meditation. It does not look one particular way. There are many forms and ways of meditations.
But I want to talk about stillness. Intentionally remaining in one place with no movement, eyes closed, for a period of time.
Why Meditation?
The mental therapy of yoga is a very important factor. This is where meditation comes in. Meditation in the beginning for me was so challenging. It can sound intimidating at first…
Through meditation and breathing you will be better able to deal with life’s ups and downs without popping off at something or someone. Let me say this...meditation keeps you real and will even humble you. When you start to truly understand yourself and the way you think, you start to recognize, own your Bull-ish, and stand in who you are. You realize the stories you’ve believed, told or been told about yourSelf, and you start to gain some perspective. You start to overstand and see that most of us are caught up on some mind drama and become more compassionate towards others.
Over time, the benefits of mediation benefits by quieting your mind to a state where you experience life with a deeper understanding of your true Self. We call this Self Awareness.
When to Meditate?
There are many ways you can incorporate meditation into your daily life. The best time to meditate is whenever you need to. However, to have a set time to intentionally sit and be still is typically best in the morning right after you wake up and right before you go to sleep. Your brain is more and best receptive at these times.
Where to Meditate?
You can meditate absolutely wherever you want to. Tell em I said so..
Intention is everything. I feel it is important to create a sacred space somewhere in your home for you to come to each and every day to connect, ground, and spend time with…you. A space where you can connect with your source or higher power, whatever that may look like for you. When you do this you will be more prone to come to that space regularly.
There are times when we are away from home and meditation is needed. I’ve needed to meditate in a public restroom in a bathroom stall to find my peace at times. So uhh, it’s really whenever, wherever you feel it’s needed.
How to Meditate?
Now I am going to give you and idea of what this looks like.
Close the eyes down.
Begin by deepening the breath. Taking deep inhales and exhales through the nose or a parted mouth.
Take your breath deep from the belly to the top of the head inhale…..exhale.
Feel the space around you maybe even within you. Continuing to breathe. Inhales and exhales.
It’s not about achieving anything, not about looking for enlightenment, or about being non-resistant.
If you think positive thoughts, negative thoughts, good thoughts bad thoughts.
They are all OK.
Let everything be exactly as it is.
Follow your breath as it goes in and out.
Your attention is resting on your body.
Not trying to change anything. Just watching from a place of non judgment.
Notice how your breath flows through and about the body within the body.
As your thoughts come up just let them, notice them. Let them pass by.
If the thoughts stay, come back to focusing on your breath.
Continue from anywhere to 5-20 minutes. Beginners, can start at 3 minutes and work your way up adding a minute or two each week maybe.
Tip: It’s not about how long you meditate it’s more about being consistent in your meditations.
The Goal:
Mediation is like hygiene for the mind. You take a shower, brush your teeth and tend to the physical body on a daily basis to maintain. Just like we care for the physical body when must care for the mental as well.
What does meditation look like for you?
We won’t always be able to dodge or completely eliminate stress from our lives. In fact, we need stress at times to achieve certain things. However we can learn to deal with it in a way that is much healthier for us and those around us.
Until next time,
