There is a lot of buzz right now around the topic of Meditation. It seems like every time I visit my Facebook page, or browse the internet, there is another article on the benefits of a regular meditation practice. I surely love seeing and reading all these articles, and yet most people I know do not have a regular meditation practice. Why?
I feel it takes a bit of knowledge and instruction before starting this very natural practice of meditating. There are definitely misconceptions and a general feeling that it is "hard to stop thinking". According to my meditation teacher Sarah McLean, there are five essentials to a successful meditation practice. I thought it would be valuable to share them with you in hopes it will make the practice seem a little more accessible to you! So here they are.....
Its okay to have thoughts while meditating. There it is, plain and simple. We have up to 60,000 thoughts a day, they don't just magically stop because you close your eyes to meditate, and they are not supposed to.
Don't try too hard. No effort is required; just a simple shift in attention.
Let go of expectations. Don't place goals or labels on your practice: just do it. Just the experience of doing is enough.
Be kind to yourself. I call this "compassionate awareness". Try not to put words around what you become aware of. Just notice it.
Stick with it. Stay for the time you have set for your practice. The only way to benefit from meditation is to do it.
I think these tips will help you when you set the intention to begin a meditation practice. It is such an important tool and the perfect anecdote to stress.
I will be teaching a beginning meditation class on January 29th at 6:45 where I will expand on these and give more practical tips on how to meditate. Click here to register for this special class.
I wish you peace awareness and compassion,
Jaci
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