In today’s get-up-and-go society it can be especially hard to stop and listen to that inner stillness within us. The purpose of meditation is to quiet and center the endless dialogue of thoughts happening within our mind. The goal is not to be elsewhere but to be fully conscious and aware. It is relaxing and it gives us the chance to have the “me time” we all so desperately need. In a deeper sense it brings us closer to the true inner essence of who we are. A lot of who we think we are is tied to negative events that have happened in our lives, i.e “I have commitment issues because I grew up without a father.” We are so much more than what we may perceive ourselves to be, and meditation helps us to truly exist in the present moment where none of the problems of the past or anxieties of the future can taunt us.
Helpful Hints
- Don’t worry about your thoughts. Thoughts will float in and out, you can’t help it, you’re human. When a thought comes, don’t evaluate it, let it come and go, then refocus your thoughts on your breathing. This can take time and effort and it’s never going to be perfect and that’s okay.
- Meditate on a particular thought, this is called a mantra. Mantras make it easier for us to focus during meditation. A simple mantra can include, “I am emotionally free,” or “I will show love and compassion to all beings.”
- Start off small. Don’t try to overwhelm yourself. Meditate when it is most convenient for you. I would advise starting off with 5 minutes as soon as you wake up and 5 minutes before bed. Gradually increase the amount of time when you feel comfortable or do whatever works for you.
Don’t get caught up in the thought of doing it “the right way,” meditation is for you, therefore customize it in whichever method works best for you.
Written by Sienna Marie Monczunski
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