It is likely that you have heard a lot about meditation but the truth is that meditation—as we see it—is very simple. Get quiet. Choose a place where you will not be disturbed. Wear comfortable clothing. Relax. Sit or recline in a comfortable position and close your eyes.
Notice that you are breathing. Just focus on your breath. Feel your breath. One way that meditation is taught is to count breaths, but that is up to you. Experience the stillness. Notice that you are breathing.
Is that all there is to it? That’s just the start. The journey is internal. It is a good idea to approach your period of silence with a question in mind. Don’t force an answer. Don’t even think about the question. Don’t even try to clear your mind. Bring no expectations to the session. Just be.
Many people say that they cannot stop the running commentary in their minds long enough to meditate, but that is not true. There are no prizes for stopping the most thoughts. Simply be. As thoughts come in, acknowledge them, pay attention to your breathing, and let the thoughts vanish by themselves. They will eventually. If you are too tense to be still, maybe you need to do something active first. Run or walk it off and take a shower. Then try again.
Time of day does not matter, but as the day unfolds, your energy level will fade and meditation may be easier. Early morning, before the rush of the day enters, is also a good time.
Many different teachers have different goals and practices for meditation. For us, meditation is about connecting with the self at a deeper level.
Meditation is an individual experience. You can meditate in the same room as someone else, but ultimately you are alone with yourself once you close your eyes, and perhaps that is what makes the experience extraordinary. It takes a bit of practice to connect with your inner world, but once you do, you will have greater clarity about your life, and you will probably become more intuitive. If you rely on that intuition, you will be following the only guidance you will ever need. And once you know how to connect, you will be able to do it anytime and anywhere.
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