Meditate Your Way to Happiness
Posted on June 27 2018
Meditate Your Way to Happiness
If you are a human being in the year 2018, you are probably busy. Your life can be stressful sometimes, and the fast pace of it can leave you feeling overwhelmed. It can often feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. However, practicing meditation can leave you feeling more in control, more relaxed throughout the day, and less overwhelmed by daily life.
What is Meditation?
So, what is meditation exactly? You likely have preconceived notions of people sitting cross-legged, hands on their knees, looking completely blissed out. And sometimes, meditation looks like this. However, meditation is different for everyone, and it’s important to understand what it’s really all about.
The act of meditation focuses on overcoming negative thought cycles, quieting the mind and cultivating inner peace. It has roots in Buddhist tradition, where it was created to help people achieve unwavering peace of mind. When you develop a meditation practice, you will find a sense of peace and happiness that isn’t affected by external situations.
Nope, Sorry, Not for Me!
“Okay, that sounds great for other people. But I can’t sit still for ten seconds, let alone ten minutes. And even if I could, I don’t have time.” If you’re thinking this way about meditation, you are not the first. Don’t rid yourself of the chance to develop a life-changing practice. You can meditate.
Being still, without any distractions or loud thoughts, is a muscle you must exercise. Don’t worry if meditation feels uncomfortable, frustrating or even boring at first. This will change over time, and you may surprise yourself with how easy it becomes and how much you will want it in your life once you welcome it to your wellness practice.
Personalize Your Meditation
Maybe the traditional cross-legged meditation isn’t your thing. That’s okay! Meditation is all about quieting the mind, being mindful of your breath and finding inner peace. And that can be done in any way that works.
There are many different kinds of meditation to try. Laying down is just fine in meditation, as long as you are still present. You might even try a favorite yoga pose that you feel comfortable and relaxed in. You can sit. You can stand. The choice is yours.
Once you’ve chosen a position that feels right, there are many methods of meditation that you can try out. Some of the most popular ones are:
Loving Kindness—Loving Kindness meditation revolves around feeling gratitude for human kindness, and then sending that kindness back out into the world. It is a wonderful way to send love into the universe, to everyone from strangers to family members.
Qi Gong—Qi Gong is a favorite of many for its benefits in posture, breath and relaxation. It involves breathing techniques and gentle movement to circulate energy through the body and decrease stress.
Guided Visualization—Guided visualization is a form of meditation that is great for beginners. By visualizing positive surroundings and experiences, guided visualization can boost your mood and be extremely beneficial for personal development and healing.
If you aren’t sure where to begin, focus on the breath. Sometimes, slowing down your breath and being aware of it actually requires a lot of effort. If this is the most you do for five minutes of meditation, that is fantastic. You can even pay attention to your breath at a stoplight or waiting for tea to boil and when your computer freezes. Finding pockets of opportunities where you can meditate is key to incorporating it in to a habit.
Stick With It and Reap the Benefits
Meditation is a beautiful tool that doesn’t judge your progress with it. Even if certain days are more successful than others, meditation is always there for you to pick up when you need it. And the more you practice, the easier it is to use when hard times arise.
It can be difficult for our fast-paced brains, but if you stick with it, you’ll be amazed with how transformational meditation is. If you want to feel like you have more control over your life, a sense of peace from within, and the ability to combat stress in a positive way, give meditation a try. It might just change your life.
Article from the Essentials Journal
