Meditation is something that we are hearing about a lot in the wellness world lately. It seems, like the proverbial 2015 kale buzz, that this practice might be the cure for all that ails us. I certainly ascribe to whole person wellness practices for all the benefits that they can (and often do) bring to the table, but let’s be honest here. Meditation is hard.
I have my own meditation practice. And I use the term “practice” quite literally. Meditation is not something you can master. It can become ingrained into your daily routine. It is even something that with repetition and patience becomes easier with time. But like any other wellness practice, (healthful eating, exercise, etc.) it can be difficult to maintain and also easy to very quickly get out of the habit of doing.
Meditation is difficult for several reasons, I think. First, it is hard for beginners to feel like they are doing it correctly when what they really feel is that they are just sort of sitting there. And I totally relate. There are days, even still, when I just can’t seem to get my heart into it. On those days, I usually remind myself that maybe what I need more than feeling like I accomplished something is to know that I was able to experience the present moment, which is critically important to mindfulness. Sometimes just taking the 5 minutes to sit quietly and be is more than plenty.
Second, it is hard for most of us to focus. We are a society that is constantly on the move. We rush from place to place, activity to activity. The ability to multitask is envied. But that doesn’t allow us to concentrate one any one thing. So we are very, very out of practice at focusing. And again, I feel you. I have those sessions where my heart is in it, but my brain just won’t SHUT UP. My thoughts are here, there, and everywhere. And to borrow a line from Lorelai Gilmore, “It’s a big bag of weird in there.” These are the days I try to remind myself that in a practice, the end is not the only goal, sitting down and at least trying is a positive outcome all in itself.
Third, one those rare occasions where we can get in a good place and quiet our brains, there is a lot of pressure to have an awesome experience. We feel like we should be paying homage to the Dalai Lama and channeling vibes for world peace and om-ing in perfect synchronization to the dewfall. Again, a lot of external pressure. Not every session is going to end with, “Eureka! I found the cure for cancer!” And there is nothing wrong with that. Meditation is about looking within ourselves and finding our own truths. That isn’t something anyone can, or should, compare. Nor is it something to rush.
Everyone has their own preferred methods for meditation. Mine always include some kind of breath work or counting. No matter how many other techniques I try, I always come back to my breath. I have found that for me personally, I value the relaxation and grounding benefits the most. Anytime I gain new insight into myself that is just bonus.
Guided meditation is a great place to start if you are a complete beginner. Go ahead, let someone else do the thinking for a bit. There are several apps available, but I like Aura (#notsponsored). The free version gives users one three minute session per day and includes features to save meditations you enjoy, spaces to log your mood, and a gratitude journal. The premium version has unlimited meditations per day, access to longer practices and additional features.
If you are more advanced or you think maybe guided meditation may not be quite the right fit, check out Sadia’s (Pick Up Limes) three part video series on meditation. It is hands down the most simple and useful guide I have come across for starting, or developing, a mindfulness practice. And if you have any of your own practices or resources, I’d love to hear about them. Hit me up in the comments!
Until next time, be well friends!
