meditation

Meditating can be a procedure not known to many. Those of us who have experimented with breathing techniques, mantras, or even yoga, might have experience with meditation, but those of us who are unfamiliar with it might view it as a much more complex thing than it is. While some people might view it as ignoring problems and turning feelings off, in reality, it is about presence, awareness, and observing the feelings that come and go. It is important to know that what we feel and even what we think has never and will never define us. They are just the current analyses of the events around us. Watching our reactions to certain things is conceptually what meditation is. When we come across a negative emotion, we thank it for what it taught us and we watch it leave. An easy way to envision this is to think of all feelings and thoughts as passing clouds. Some bring rain, some bring rainbows, but they all pass and are constantly replaced by new clouds. Meditation isn’t the cloudless sky, but rather the sky that is comfortable with having any cloud. And meditation is about the now. When dealing with a stressful situation, comforting or relaxing ourselves with meditation can be the best idea. All the stress is in the past and maybe the future, so instead of regretting and being anxious, why not turn our attention to now? We can meditate by the beach and watch the tide rush in and out. We can do it in the woods and feel the mystical vibe and listen to the wildlife. Or we can do it in public and find silence and tranquility in the chaotic noise of our surroundings. There are no rules or regulations to meditating. We don’t have to cross our legs, repeat mantras, or even close our eyes. While these can help to stay on track, beginners will find it easier to start in places they already feel comfortable. This can be a bed, a couch, or the floor. If our mind wanders off to tomorrow’s anticipation or yesterday’s problems, it is okay. We should always try to remind ourselves that we are our awareness and not the feelings or thoughts we experience. We can start our meditation journey with five-minute mindfulness breathing techniques, and possibly build up to an hour-long session. It’s all about trying, even on days that it feels like it’s not working. Our bodies will tell us what is right, and we will see the effects sooner than expected. Besides the emotional benefits, meditation also brings about health benefits such as lessening the gray matter in the brain, reducing depression and anxiety, cutting addictions, and can even decrease blood pressure. The wonders of meditation are still being explored to this day but a couple things are certain- meditation is accessible, personal, and healing. We can all grow our awareness, self-care, and discipline through practicing meditation.