Meditation is the easiest way to find peace of mind, and bring balance to your life. There are thousands of meditation methods, and you may need guidance to get started; but it’s not required. You can start your own practice just by taking a few minutes each day to focus on breathing in and out, and experiencing whatever happens in those moments without judgment or expectation. Be kind to yourself; distractions are normal. Minimize any thoughts or feelings by allowing them to occur, and if need be, gently bring your attention back to breathing. Your breathing is your anchor, always giving you something to focus on. Attending to the regular rhythms of your breathing can help both the mind and body relax.
The goal in meditation isn’t to strive for enlightenment; the goal is to not strive for anything at all. This will open your mind to your one true Self, where you will discover a vast space of inner calm. It’s like seeing yourself from a distance, but in fact you move closer to the core of your being, your one true mind. This sense of calm awareness gives you the ability to respond to moments in life, rather than react to them, and experience any thoughts or feelings that arise within your moments as the true you. Discovering your true Self gives you freedom to accept life’s experiences without attaching to them, as they are not of you, but only perceived by a body that you believe is you.
There’s no right or wrong way to meditate, but use these simple guidelines to get you started:
1) Do it daily.
2) Try to do it at the same time each day.
3) Don’t worry about distractions like thoughts, sounds or feelings; these are perfectly normal for everyone. It takes practice to learn how to accept them, and tune them out.
4) If you keep your attention on your breathing while you meditate, it always gives you something to re-focus on when distractions happen; and they will happen.
5) Focusing on results will frustrate you; focus on the moment, and results will follow.
Meditation offers greater emotional and mental freedom to deal with life’s ups and downs. It allows you to see further into who you really are, creating more ‘space’ to accept life as a process, and helping you find your way through it with direction, ease and calm.
There are some common myths about meditation that deserve de-bunking:
Myth: Meditation takes too long.
Truth: Start with just five minutes a day; as you build up your practice, you’ll actually want to meditate for longer periods, and you’ll soon wonder why TV ever seemed so appealing.
Myth: Meditation is for old hippies, monks and New Age types.
Truth: Meditation has universal appeal; without it, the lives we lead - busy, over-stimulated, and stressed out – can result in unnecessary illness, dramatic emotional exchanges with others, and needless guilt about everything. Meditating just once a day can bring more harmony, joy and peace to your existence.
Myth: I can’t meditate without knowing there’s some tangible benefit at the end of it.
Truth: Meditation is not a degree program or race to win; it’s a life-long endeavour that can only benefit every aspect of your being. It cannot hurt you, but it can profoundly change the way you live by reducing stress, broadening perspective, and helping you enjoy each moment without getting caught up in the ‘drama’ of daily life.
