There is a real misconception about meditation practice. We too often push meditation to the side with the excuse of not having enough time.
We don’t have to isolate ourselves every time we meditate, although there is certainly a time and place to do this.
We need to retrain the way we perceive and understand meditation as there’s no point doing it, just for the sake of keeping up with a trend.
Meditation in simple terms, is about creating space within the mind, allowing the natural state of energy to flow the way it was indeed. We can also use mediation to intuitively download information or clear any negative and unwanted energy.
As your awareness grows you realise that there is no longer a separation between spiritual practice and having a human experience, and both should coexist, working together to achieve the same goal. Move to make mediation part of your life, rather than just part of your day.
I remember....
I remember listening to a highly regarded mentor, suggesting in order to make time for a new upcoming project, they had to sacrifice part of their daily routine, and of course it was a case of last in, last out, so meditation took to the side lines for a period of time. This sounds crazy, doesn't it? Listen again, in order to 'make time', they gave up the very thing that is designed to increase our productivity and capacity to remove the tasks that no longer serve us.
This reiterates my agenda for needing to retrain how 'most' people perceive meditation. I am all for creating a sacred space to relax, unwind and meditate, but for most, we don't even have the luxury to do this consistently enough, especially with our busy 9 to 5 (or longer!) jobs, kids, personal time, family and so on. It often isn't even the fact we don't have time, sometimes we just forget or if we're honest, get a little too lazy and comfortable (allowing ego to take the wheel!).
It's just to easy to allow meditation to take a back seat in our lives, when it's just to important for it not be at the centre.
When in secondary school, I remember them trying to implement some form of meditation into the curriculum, but only two or three times a years at best. This involved having to lay down on the floor, whilst the teacher read out a scripted piece, intended for each individual to create an inspiring self led journey.
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to deepen my understanding of such practices, however as a young adult, what I really needed at the time was to have had explained the REAL PURPOSE of such time. Truth be told, this would have never happened and likely still doesn't today, for the reason you can probably guess. Those instructed to teach such practices likely didn't and still don't know the real purpose (maybe not all of them, but definitely most).
Make Meditation Part Of Your Life
For me, the word 'meditation' is now more referred to as the action, rather than the 'doing'. By that I mean, meditation is now the process of creating time, rather that creating stillness.
In essence, the practice of meditation is essentially about creating stillness, but the purpose of this blog isn't to indeed to explore stillness, rather why it is important at the very lest to make time to meditate and at the best, create space. As such, if meditation for you is at the very least just an action, this is still better than nothing, however it is collectively time to the shift beyond the limitations of action and begin moving more towards more purposeful intent.
Whatever you do, don't stop your meditation practice!! This is not what I'm suggesting. Merely take the road of quality over quantity. If you are meditating as purely a form of relaxation at a minimum attempt to move towards the intentions of acknowledging that meditation is far more powerful than just that.
Have you ever heard the story about 'the monk at the top of mountain? I will give you the short of it,
There had been a monk who had spent years in a temple at the top of the mountain, seeking enlightenment and meditating for days on end. Finally, after years of peace and tranquility, it was time for him to return back to the village and embrace this new found life amongst others. Soon enough, he found himself in a line at the local bank, waiting patiently behind a number of others. After an hour or more, he found himself at the front of the line, ready to be attended to next. As he was called up, he handed the attendant some paperwork. The teller glanced over it, look at the monk and explained he had filled out the incorrect form and had to correct it, before returning to the back of the line. The monk is utter disbelief, removed himself from the line, and began stomping his feet and screaming in anger.
The moral, just as I am suggesting, is to ensure the years spent on meditating are done purposely. I am by no means suggesting that a monk doesn't have purpose. The story is purely fictitious with the intention for delivering a deeper meaning. Everyone will have different experience in life and the choices we make within the human experience will always provide us with whatever is necessary for our expansion.
However, within your choice to mediate, your purpose should be to create ongoing stillness and space that allows you to become closer and ultimately at one with the soul (your intuition), thus being able to lead a more abundant life in whatever way you choose to live here on earth.
Stop Babbling & Tell Me What To Do!
5 Ways to Incorporate Meditation In Everyday Life
1. Walk, walk and walk some more.
I am not talking about talking for exercise (though this is good for you also!) Walk with the intention and only intention to be an Observer.
2. Use your senses, wherever and whenever you can.
Bring your attention to your senses as much as you can remember to. Taste, Smell, Touch, Listen & See. But I mean really pay attention to what you are sensing, even if it is just for short bursts at a time.
Examples -
When eating: eat slower and really bring your attention to the flavour of whatever it is your eating.
When showering or washing your hands: really feel the temperature of the water touching your skin, feeling the water running from head to toe or encapsulating your entire body.
When sitting in front of your computer screen or mobile device: bring your attention to wherever you are sitting, try to maintain a focus on whatever your hands or arms are touching.
3. Switch things up.
Take a different route to work. Try a new food. Watch a new show. Put the ipad down.
Whatever it is you decide to do, you don't need to make it permanent (although you might want to eventually). We are just trying to create an opportunity for you to take a different/higher perspective, thus allowing the conceptual mind to take a break!
4. Take time out to breathe.
Don't forget to breathe. There are many breathing techniques out there. Try & find one that suits you best, but whatever it is don't forget to maintain your focus, the mind will drift!
5. Conventional.
Find a nice quiet space! It can be anywhere! A bed, couch, chair, on the grass, at the beach, wherever you find it the easiest to let your troubles drift away.
Remember, there are many different ways to meditate, but we are just trying to quiet the mind down for now, allowing for the soul to do the rest. You don't need to walk away from meditation having achieved anything other than doing nothing!
6. Just have some fun!
I know there was only meant to be 5 ways, but I got to excited!
Remember, when you are happy, really happy, doing what you love without restriction. You will organically create space, allowing for intuition to rise. Don't forgot to rest though, your body still needs a chance to keep up, but doing what you love is the first step to making meditation a more likely lifestyle rather than a chore.
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