This is for those new to meditation practice or for those who have tried to meditate but can not be consistent due to a busy schedule.
Today I will be teaching the the reasons to start a meditation practice and how to fit it into your busy day. At the end we will practice a short meditation together so you can transition into the rest of your day with grace and ease.
Three Reasons to Start a Meditation Practice
What would your life be like if you felt peace and calm within your body, even when there was chaos surrounding you?
According to Psychology Today, neuroscientists have found that the brain waves of those who meditate are healthier ‒ both physically and mentally ‒ than those who don’t. Here’s why:
It’s a Free Stress Reliever
With all the self help and self care tools that are available, including getting a massage, going to a day spa, and taking a nap, meditation beats them all. Aside from stress relief, meditation makes changes in the brain that allows a practitioner to be less anxious and more in control of their lives.
The average American was found to spend thousands annually directly on trying to feel less stressed. Stress Costs U.S. $300 Billion every year. That’s because it can cause more illnesses than I can even list. On the other hand, meditation changes the structure and function of the brain, potentially adding 10 years to your life.
Improved Focus and Concentration
For all you multitaskers out there, I want you to know that the brain is unable to work on parallel tasks at once. Instead, it switches rapidly from one thing to the next. As a result, our concentration and energy levels drop each time we attempt to come back to a task.
As little as 10 minutes of meditation a day can help you stay more focused; thus, more productive in your day. It can also help you bounce back from distractions faster.
Meditation has been well studied for ADD/ADHD as well. For my clients that struggle with this, meditation is always part of the treatment plan
Creative or Flow States
Mindful awareness comes naturally to us when we meditate, and we reach “flow” state where our mind is in complete harmony with itself.
A study on the effects of an eight-week mindful meditation course found that people who meditate regularly enter this flow and receive creative insights more often.
How to Fit Meditation Into Your Busy Schedule
First, write down your #1 reason for wanting to meditate.
Often, we have to feel like there is a significant problem in our lives to act on it. Start watching the thoughts to see what thoughts keep you from meditating
“ I don’t have time.”
“I am not good at this.”
“What’s the point?”
I recognize that these thoughts are not true or helpful. When I have these thoughts, I will recall my “why.”
For those new to meditation and even for advanced meditators, simplicity is the way to go.
Getting Started: Basic Meditation Tips
First, find a quiet place where you will be undisturbed. Second, choose an app, such as Insight Timer, to help you keep track of your meditation practice. Third, decide on an amount of time to meditate (e.g., five minutes of morning meditation.
Make yourself comfortable and avoid wearing tight clothing. Close your eyes for immediate relaxation
Choose your anchor like your breath or the feeling of your feet on the ground. Focus on that anchor, and gently bring back your attention to this in case you get lost in your thoughts. The more you do this, the easier it will become.
Sometimes results take some time to come forth. Just be patient and practice daily.
Its better to have several practice sessions than one long one.
Having a Community to Help
Usually, a person who makes a commitment starts out feeling motivated and determined to make a change or add something of value to their lives. When they begin their meditation practice, they feel a deep inner passion that feeds their motivational drive. They can see a clear vision of what this commitment will bring to their lives.
Lack of results, outside influences, and a scattered lifestyle can make this vision cloudy and filled with uncertainty. At this point, there is the option to revisit the commitment to see if it still fits into your life, and you can then move forward or leave it be
You can remain committed by continually re-framing the commitment in your mind daily, giving yourself compassion when you miss your practice. It can also help that you keep a progress log to show the results of your efforts. In your Spiritual Awakening Guidebook there is a meditation log in the journal.
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