MEDITATION

By dictionary definition, meditation means to reflect, ponder, or contemplate. But these actions can look different from person to person, and as such, meditation is much more.

   Mindfulness meditation is the practice of acknowledging the conflicting thoughts in your brain and then choosing where you’d like to focus your thoughts. You can learn to observe the thoughts as they appear and take note of any patterns or sensations that come up in the body.

The goal is not to empty your mind; it’s to understand and take control of how your thoughts contribute to the way you feel. 

The stream of thoughts and questions that cross your mind daily can be overwhelming and when you’re overwhelmed and consumed by these daily stressors, it’s hard to feel like you can gain control over them to operate more calmly and efficiently. Sometimes, the best way to calm down is to take a step back from your checklist and find a moment to quiet your mind with a meditative practice. I know it’s easier said than done! It takes practice and consistency to learn how to effectively use meditation to begin gaining the benefits. 

Your environment is never going to be “just right” for you to get started. There may always be noise coming from the outside world. You may never be able to set up that dreamy meditation studio in your home, so just go for it! The ‘perfect’ environment is not necessary to get started.

Remember that your mind does not have an ‘off’ switch. The challenge here is to accept the thoughts that are coming up, observe them for what they are, and return to your state of mindfulness.

   Allow yourself to notice your breath. The key is to breathe naturally, observing the nuances of your inhales and exhales as well as the sensations they cause in the body as the breath moves through your chest, rib cage, belly, and shoulders.

However you choose to practice your breath, allow your mind to stay conscious and supportive of your practice.

 Often, the judgments we make of ourselves are based on stories that we’ve conditioned ourselves to believe, an internal story that contributes to unnecessary judgment.

  Meditation is a personal, individualized, and introspective practice; it’s also a chance to practice self-compassion. If you find yourself judging your capabilities, observe the thought, take note of how it makes you feel, and exhale it out of your consciousness. 

Show gratitude for yourself and bring the mindfulness that you’ve cultivated into the next action of your day. 

When you are kind to yourself, this kindness can translate into the energy you put out into the world.

Your mindful practice and commitment to your own health will likely have a positive effect on the way you show up in your relationships and interact with family and friends. As you have taken the time to de-stress, you allowed yourself to recharge and find the energy to extend kindness to others.

Remember that you are not your thoughts. Our feelings of stress are temporary and situational, and incorporating a mindfulness meditation practice is meant to help you explore new techniques to accept, understand, and move through the feelings you are experiencing in a calmer, kinder way.