By Denise Everheart | Posted: May 12, 2020
Between the growing popularity of using meditation techniques and the science to back up all the hype, many have ‘tried’ to have an experience of meditation either from a book on mindfulness or just using sheer will to get a ‘thought-free’ state of mind, or some other desired results. And since you’re reading this, you probably know all your efforts led you nowhere near the elusive door to meditation. But that should not bring you to the conclusion that you cannot meditate.
First let’s define meditation as it relates to the ‘everyday’ person by saying what meditation should and should not be. Meditation should not be a struggle, it should be effortless! It shouldn’t be limited to only those who have ‘ideal’ lives with plenty of time to spare. Life can be messy, jam-packed and chaotic, as it often is, but more importantly that’s when you need meditation the most! Meditation should give us the results we need, from day one. Seems reasonable, yes? But is it possible?
Time for some tips!
Drop any preconceived ideas you might have about what meditation is supposed to look like. The images you have seen in magazines and online are just models sitting in lotus position, with a blissful smile and looking ‘perfect’. A person experiencing authentic deep meditation might be sitting comfortably in a chair, with their head slightly dropped to one side with no particular expression at all.
Forget about having a thought-free experience. The simple truth is the mind LOVES to THINK. Trying to stop thoughts is like trying to stop thinking about a blue monkey. No matter how many times you tell yourself to not think about the blue monkey jumping on the bed...you only think about that blue monkey bouncing this way and that! In order to experience effortless meditation the mind needs to be tricked into becoming quiet. More about that later.
Accept that you may experience noise in any meditation. Noise is a lot like thoughts. Noise is gonna happen, especially if you are experiencing any normal levels of daily chaos in your surrounding environment. Making peace with a lack of peace, instantly allows a natural peaceful state to begin to grow.
Scheduling time for your meditation is a sure fire way to set yourself up for success, especially if it is ‘regularly’ scheduled. Routine allows your body and mind to be in sync- “this is what we do at such and such a time”. Having a routine also allows you to build on your previous experience and gain progress over time.
Stretch a little or do some kind of movement before you sit for meditation. The body often stores up energy and if it isn’t spent before you sit for meditation, it will definitely express itself while you are sitting for meditation. Even simple ‘subtle’ yoga postures sitting in a chair can go a long way to settling the body down.
Breathe! It turns out that the breath is one gigantic tool in the proverbial meditation ‘tool box’. Breath is the link between the mind and the body, and that which quiets both! The most powerful breathing technique I have ever come across is Sudarshan Kriya Yoga, also known as SKY breathing meditation. SKY literally takes you to the door of meditation, effortlessly. Even just simply observing the breath as you sit for meditation, can give some small benefits. During this pandemic lockdown phase, learn this SKY breathing meditation for a limited time on an online platform for half off through the online Happiness Program. You can also attend a free online session with a live instructor, Beyond Breath. Space is limited in these free sessions, reserve your spot now!
Back to how to deal with thoughts. Making friends with our thoughts, having that blue monkey sit next to us while we meditate can go a long way towards settling down the mind. We can go from restless thoughts to random thoughts that have more space in between them allowing deeper and deeper experiences to happen naturally. And thoughts can actually be an important part of meditation. Sahaj Samadhi Meditation, uses a mantra, a particular sound as a vehicle for diving effortlessly into meditation- where thoughts are treated as a vehicle for stress release, giving us the ‘real life’ benefits we all seek.
So you can meditate, now!
Denise Everheart is a freelance writer, meditation coach, recipe designer and party planner. Follow her @everheartstudio4meditation and @celeplateyourlife on Instagram.
