To meditate or not to meditate? That is the question! In a time of increased stress and anxiety, meditation can be a great tool to use to help calm the mind and body. However, some of my Reiki clients tell me that they just can’t sit still, can’t focus, or it’s just ‘not their thing’. I get it. Meditation is not for everyone, just like anything else in life. The problem is however, that people often think of ‘meditation’ as of having to sit still, eyes closed, and clear the mind of all thoughts. There are a lot of misunderstandings about what meditation really is, and how to do it.
So many different ways to meditate!
Firstly, there are many types of meditation! From loving-kindness, to mindfulness meditation, to breath meditation, to transcendental meditation…the list goes on. Meditation can be done sitting, standing or lying down. You can have your eyes open, closed, or half-way between. You can observe your thoughts passing by, focus on the sounds you hear around you, chant a mantra, or focus on your breath. Some people meditate to clear the mind, others to focus the mind, or you could use visualisation as a meditation! There is no one way to meditate.
Every day is different
Sometimes I like to carve out specific time to meditate. I will sit down on a cushion, close my eyes, and practice a Reiki meditation. Sometimes I’ll do a breath meditation, or just simply sit in quiet stillness and watch my thoughts pass by. Other times, I will prefer to use an app; perhaps listening to relaxing music, or a guided meditation. Sometimes the meditations I listen to are hypnotic, and others just put me straight to sleep.
No one right way to meditate
But meditation doesn’t always have to be like this. I like to walk along the beach, and every day I’m so grateful to live in such a beautiful part of the world (Elwood)! I watch the waves roll in and out, smell the sea breeze, and enjoy the sun glistening over the water. To me, that is a meditation. It could be the same for you! Or perhaps it could be immersing yourself into cooking or some other activity that you love. There is no ‘right’ way to meditate.
Find peace and calm with meditation
What works for one person, may not work for another, so take the time to find what you enjoy. When you enjoy it, you will most likely to do it more often! Meditation can be wonderful when you find a way to immerse yourself into the peace and calm it can bring.
What type of meditation do you enjoy? If you have any questions about meditation, or how to do it, please contact me here.
