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So…What is Meditation All About, Anyway?

I recently became certified to teach Mindfulness and Compassion Meditation by THEPATH (thepath.com). Prior to 2016, I had never practiced meditation. Ever. Now, it is an indispensable part of my life, and a daily habit that I look forward to.

Meditation is an outstanding habit to add to your daily routine. Not only does it relax you, but it helps with nearly every other part of your life as well. Your focus will improve. Your appreciation for all positive things in your life will increase. You’ll find that you are more productive with your daily tasks. You’ll sleep better.

A meditative practice brings you so many benefits:

1. It’s the one time your mind really gets a rest. Your mind is constantly active. It’s thinking about ten different things every 15 seconds. It’s telling you that you need to drink of water. It’s worrying about your date next Saturday and reminding you that you don’t have enough money in your bank account to pay your cable bill. Sleep isn’t any better. In your dreams, you’re largely acting and behaving the same way you do while awake. You’re still worrying about the same stuff during your dreams. Sleep is great for resting your body, but it’s not as useful for resting your mind. In meditation, you create a space where your mind is focused on the present moment. In many forms of meditation, you focus on one object, (such as your breath, a visual object, or a particular phrase or mantra) and develop an awareness of being present with yourself as you are. It’s incredibly relaxing.
2. You learn how to focus. When you think of meditation, do you imagine someone sitting alone in a quiet room with subdued lighting? This is the easiest way to meditate, with no distractions. After learning to meditate under ideal conditions, try expanding your meditation skills to other activities. In fact, practicing your meditation skills on a loud, hot, busy, smelly subway will enhance your focus and create an appreciation for the true benefits of a regular practice. Most of us focus very poorly. Imagine how much better you would feel and how much more you would accomplish if you could stay focused on the activity at hand.
3. You can find answers. When your mind is running a hundred miles an hour, it’s difficult to find elegant solutions to your challenges. A brain needs a little space to find effective solutions to tough challenges. Meditation can provide that needed space. Have you ever noticed that many of your best ideas have come while doing something that occupies your mind in a rather mindless way? Activities like mowing the grass, taking a shower, or driving down the highway with little traffic are great for solving problems. Your mind is occupied but free to wander a little. Meditation is similar.
4. Meditation is healthy. Stress is incredibly hard on the body. Meditation reduces stress, lowers your pulse and blood pressure, and improves sleep. Meditation can be done quickly. You’d be surprised how much more you can accomplish and how much more enjoyable your day is when you meditate for a few minutes several times a day. Ten minutes once or twice a day is a great place to start.

Anyone can use meditation to bring rest and peace into their life. It can also improve your performance. Learn to meditate and enjoy a greater quality of life!