Meditating Into Your Life

The following was an article i wrote, that was published in a community magazine, about the power of meditation.

Some of my articles will be more practical and less philosophical and this would be one of them. Please Enjoy.

Shhhhh...Slow down, relax your body, close your eyes and be still. Breathe in, breathe out, breath in, breathe out...you have now started meditating.

When people hear the word meditation, it can elicit feelings of excitement, or feelings of, “Uggh, I could never do that!” Whatever you feel about meditation, there is a growing body of research pointing to meditation being a wonderful, inexpensive way to support the body and mind in optimizing health. This ancient practice has been shown to aid people with depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia and chronic pain. It could be said that it is the perfect anecdote to our modern fast paced world.

Yet, what is meditation or mindfulness and how do I start meditating? As a practice it goes back over 3500 years to ancient times in China and India and can be found in the traditions of Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism.

There are many different forms, but the essence of the practice is to bring awareness to your breath and become aware of the feelings and sensations in your body. Many people who resist starting a practice, say the thought of being still, focusing on the breath and being aware of the feelings in the body would be unappealing, boring or uncomfortable. Yet these are the precise reasons why someone needs to start a practice.

With the uncertainty of the modern world and trying to make good decisions every day, having a technique that supports you to become more calm, less reactive and have a clear mind is very beneficial.

So how does one get started? With the advent of the internet there is a wealth of information at our fingertips about many different practices such as Vipassana, Transcendental meditation and mindfulness programs available through online websites, videos and apps. Trying to choose one can be overwhelming and can stop someone from staring in the first place.

Yet this can all be simplified. Whatever practice you choose will be the right place to start.

Though I will add as someone who has practiced for 20 years, always start with the breath. Sit for 5 mins every day with your eyes closed and focus on the air coming out of your nose and then back in. Wherever your mind goes come back to the breath. Try to do it at the same time every day to create the habit and before you know it you will be increasing the time you sit, and you will start to enjoy the feeling when you are done.

You can stay with that technique forever or try other meditation modalities if you want. For those that are goal oriented, know that you are not striving for the perfect meditative session. The practice is to cultivate being more present to everyday life, whether it is brushing your teeth, doing your activities at work, or having fun with your family. Remember that the only thing we ultimately have any control over is how we feel into our body and how we view the world.

Life and being alive is a precious gift, breathing that in with calmness, peace and awareness, is to meditate.