Monday 27 July 2009

There’s nothing to meditation.
So stop making it difficult!

It’s verging on a truism to say that stress can kill you. Study after study has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt the untold harm that too much stress in one’s life can do – emotionally, mentally, physically and of course spiritually. But there’s one thing that each of us can do in our lives to reduce, if not reverse, the damage that stress is doing to us, and that is to meditate.

There was a time not so long ago when the word meditation conjured images of people sitting on rugs with their legs uncomfortably crossed as incense wafted through the air. To be sure, that is one form of meditation. But there are so many other kinds of meditation. And this week, I decided to explore meditation in a bit more depth to try to demystify it a little more as well as to offer a few tips on how to do it quickly, painlessly and effectively.

Classic instruction teaches us that the goal of meditation is to quieten the monkey mind. When you think of it, many of us go through life with a veritable Curious George running loose in our heads with our thoughts constantly jumping from here to there. To tame that monkey means to still or to silence that hive of mental activity going on upstairs.

That’s a pretty lofty goal especially in today’s society. In the 1980’s we had so much on the go that we became a fast-food society. Then, in the 1990’s multi-tasking was all the rage. And now we’ve got all that plus the likes of Facebook and Twitter. With all the demands on our time, how on earth are we expected to chill to the point that our minds go completely blank? Well, I don’t think it’s possible. I think it’s too much to ask for – in the beginning at least.

Telling someone to sit down and not think of anything for any length of time is a waste of time in my book. Based on how many of my clients say that they struggle to find time to meditate and then don’t find it very rewarding when they do convinces me that I’m right.

For me, it’s time to go back to basics and completely change how we think of meditation. In other words, a simpler, if not a fresher approach, is called for.

Let’s start with a new understanding of what meditation is. Simply telling someone to stop thinking doesn’t work. We’ve established that. So, let’s think of meditation as a different way of thinking. Consider meditation as focused thinking instead. Just like that the Herculean task of getting that monkey to sit still has vanished. Simple.

Meditation is, for all intents and purposes, a way of concentrating one’s attention on one thing. When someone partakes in and enjoys a hobby that requires them to give their undivided attention to it to the point at which they lose themselves in the process, they are meditating.

Accordingly, gardening, knitting, walking and even reading a good book can all be considered activities that can bring about a meditative state and in so doing trigger all the positive benefits of meditation. No rug, lotus position or incense required.

But alas, some people don’t have a row to hoe. Others live in an area where walking can be anything but relaxing. Also, I take on board that books don’t do it for everyone. And if you think about the costs of getting underway a new hobby, then starting needlepoint could send your stress levels skyrocketing. So what can you do that requires no start-up costs and next to nothing to learn? Let’s see.

There are probably thousands of ways to meditate. My method of choice is very straightforward. Here’s what you do. Pick a time when you can ensure that you won’t be disturbed for five minutes. Don’t start out trying to meditate for an hour, half an hour or even fifteen minutes. Just take five!

This is your time. It’s a break that is yours and yours alone. So, take appropriate steps to prevent any unwanted intrusions. What does that mean? Take the phone off the hook. Shut down the computer. Turn off the radio or stereo. And take a seat. It’s better not to try this lying down as temptation to go to sleep can overcome even the most dedicated of us.

Sit with your feet on the ground, your hands in your lap with your back comfortably straight. You’re not in a posture competition so don’t force your back any straighter than is natural.

Situate yourself so that you have a clock that is visible without having to do anything other than open your eyes. You may wish to keep a watch in your lap. You won’t believe it now, but time will fly once you get the hang of this.

Now, close your eyes and start breathing. Focus on the sound of your breath as it enters your nose and then exits when you exhale. Don’t take great big lung bucketfuls of air. Breathe normally, calmly. You don’t want to leave yourself gasping for air nor do you want to go all dizzy from hyperventilation.

Just listen to the sound of the air coming and going. And every once in a while open your eyes for a quick time check. If you have an itch, scratch it. It’s not exactly very relaxing if you’re sitting there with an itch that’s driving you mad. Remember, this is supposed to be easy. You’ll be tempted – indeed you’ll do your darnedest, to make this complicated. But there’s no need to. Difficult meditation is useless meditation.

Will you manage to focus solely and continuously on your breathing for five minutes? No, of course not. It’s not going to happen. And that’s okay. Don’t consider yourself a failure when your mind wanders. Go into this with the full expectation it’s going to happen – you’re human after all. When you find yourself thinking about this or that, just pull yourself back to the sound of your breathing. It really is that simple.

I can’t tell you how many people have complained to me that they once tried to meditate but that nothing happened. When I hear this, I do my best NOT to roll my eyes. You see, that’s it. Nothing should happen. Meditation is all about freeing your mind from thinking about all the trivia in our lives. When you can focus on one single thing for any period of time to the exclusion of the world around you, you’re meditating.

Some people don’t like to listen to their breath. That’s okay. But I’m not going to let you get out of it that easily. I’ve got as many different alternatives as you’ve got excuses. Try instead to listen to the tick of a metronome or even an everyday clock. Others of you will not like, for whatever reason, closing your eyes. That’s okay as well. Spend your five minutes focusing on the tip of the flame of a candle. Stare into a crystal. Alternatively, identify something on the wall opposite you to lose yourself in. Again, it really is that simple.

Once you’ve managed to meditate for five minutes consistently for a few days or for as long as it takes to get comfortable with the process, add a couple of minutes to your “you time”. Ideally, you want to get to the point of meditating for twenty minutes a day. That’s ideal. That’s your goal. It can even be a long-term goal. Don’t start out trying to run the marathon. Begin with five minutes and work up.

The magic in meditation comes from doing it – not in how you do it. Take baby steps and keep it simple. But just do it!

Meditating is one of the many ways that you can manage your energy. In my Intuitive Life Coaching sessions, I teach my clients other techniques to use their energy to improve their wellbeing or to help create the life that they’ve always dreamed of. You can find out more about these sessions that some clients have considered nothing short of life-changing.

Perhaps it’s time for you commit to a better way of living. Every day I work with clients who have chosen to empower themselves to make the changes that they need to live a healthier and more authentic life. As well as Intuitive Life Coaching sessions, my Medical Intuitive Readings help identify the spiritual issues underlying illness. If you are ready to accept that challenge and behold the awesome potential of your own powerhouse, then let’s let’s get started today!

And don’t forget about my Journey to Power forums. Please join me there and let me hear what you have to say on meditating - whether you do it and how you find it, if you do. I look forward to your postings!

Finally, this week over at PsychicBridges, I consider whether there are alternate universes or parallel universes out there. What I have to say could get you thinking - and more! Read my article here.

I always welcome your thoughts and feedback on IntuitiveBridges, so let me hear from you by clicking here.

Until next week,

Kindest regards,

Back To Top