Years ago, I tried to jump on the meditation bandwagon. I know it’s a great way to help reduce stress and anxiety. But I just didn’t know how to do it right. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t get comfortable sitting cross-legged on the floor (my back always ached). I tried guided meditation but since I couldn’t sit cross-legged, I tried lying down and within five minutes I was snoozing. I talked to a meditation teacher friend about my issues. She explained that meditation doesn’t always have to be about sitting quietly, going within, or however else you picture it. She said meditation can be anything you enjoy doing that takes your mind off the stress. It could be walking on the treadmill or out in nature, it could be working out at the gym or home. Even sitting and reading could be a form of meditation.
More recently though, I’ve thought again about just trying to sit and go within. I certainly can’t last for more than a few minutes but that’s ok. A few minutes is all I need. You don’t have to meditate for a certain amount of time, whatever feels good for you is perfectly ok.
Here’s my version of a meditation:
Be still in your heart a couple of times a day if possible or even only once if time doesn’t allow. Let yourself just be. Be aware of your breath. Breathe in for a count of 5. Hold for one second and breathe out for a count of 5. Do it again. You should feel a sense of calm come over you. Just sit with that stillness as long as it feels right. Notice how you feel after. Maybe you realize that because you were so focused on your breath that the stresses, worries, or any other thoughts disappeared for those few seconds. Know that you can come back to this exercise whenever you need to take a break to just be you.
Happy meditating…