“If you want to find God, hang out in the space between your thoughts."
~ Alan Cohen
Why should you take time away from your busy hectic goal oriented life to meditate? AAhhh...there are many reasons for one to practice the ancient science of meditation. There are phenomenal mental benefits, amazing physical benefits and unbelievable spiritual benefits. You care about your life or you wouldn't be trying so hard to "get" somewhere. The only place you really need to go...is into the Valley of Your Own Soul!
During meditation there are moments when the mental chatter - "monkey mind" -ceases. You feel a kind of peace that resonates more deeply than the melody of your favorite piece of music. A peace that lingers, softly draped around you like a white linen shroud. As you go about your normal routine you begin to notice things that you've never noticed before; the beautiful blue sky, the sound of children laughing. Your mind is more organized as if you'd been upgraded from Windows 97 to Windows XP. You've worked all day and didn't once say to yourself, "I'm tired!" And those are just a very few examples of the benefits of meditations.
It's quite simple, all you have to do is: Dress comfortably, find a comfortable place to sit, have no expectations, close your eyes and open your mind. There are some other practical considerations - like time limits depending on your own personal schedule. It's suggested that you meditate no less than 3 x's per week for 10 minutes but you can go longer if you can. Make sure your environment is safe, preferably no strange animals lurking around. Finding a breathing exercise that makes you feel grounded and centered really helps! There are many to choose from! If you get confused because there are so many to choose from just start with a simple breath of breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth- not too fast but not too slow...you'll know because you'll feel fuzzy headed or anxious if you aren't doing it correctly. Your mind will wander - process like a computer chomping - just let the thoughts come and go, don't follow them. Breath in an out. After a while your thoughts will begin to slow down. Your breathing will automatically slow down. You will feel peace!
At least that's why I meditate! So try it and let me know how it goes.
Peace and blessings!
