Quieting:

The concepts of meditation and mindfulness are popping up everywhere, you say. It would seem true. So is Meditation and focused attention a thing to be considered?

And exactly how do you meditate?

There are varied approaches to meditation from the specific to the more general.

Counting your breaths from 1 to 10 and starting again, seems to be the most prevalent way and easiest to incorporate into a practice: Perhaps starting for 5 minutes and increasing this practice as we become more comfortable with “sitting” still. When the mind wanders, gently bring back to the counting. We are essentially developing the “muscle” that brings us back to the present moment.

Shikantaza, another method has one pay attention to the breath only, without the tethering benefit of the counting. This would appear to be the more difficult way, but a step in the direction of a purer approach to stilling the conscious mind chatter, opening the conduit to the inner world, of wisdom, inspiration, and lovingness.

So essentially there are many approaches. If one doesn’t define too much, it would seem that any method you are comfortable with could be a valid way to tap this inner consciousness that offers you support in your quest for a more centered existence.

Many folks are natural meditators and quiet their monkey mind by enjoying their gardens, or listening to beautiful music, or quieting and enjoying the surf or the sound of birds, praying, enjoying self hypnosis. In other words a more focused approach to life, offering moments of quiet

It would seem to be evident that to enjoy some quiet time alone with a minimal amount of exterior stimulation, will calm your mind and body. This in turn quiets anxiety and worry, offering some perspective on runaway emotions.

This quieting has often been the opening of the mind and encourager of new ideas, aha moments, scientific discoveries. It’s as if the subconscious has been speaking and we haven’t been listening. So encouraging these quiet spells throughout the day offers a peaceful moment and perhaps some answers to our present challenges. Mini Vacations, say, the focusing on the breath and running through our senses, for 5 minutes, can create a feeling of peace and relaxation, and open us to new possibilities. Tension can dissipate and the body loses stress.

In Zen, Meditation is not necessarily considered as a way to achieve anything, but as the thing itself.

However, as an enticement to start a meditation practice, science has documented many benefits to this essential practice:

Stress Reduction, a lowering of high blood pressure, helps treat heart disease, increases our immune functions, slows one’s aging process, helps you discover inner sources that can change our everyday lives, expand our world view, encourage a sense of connection, and compassion, connect to our feelings. These are but a few of the many benefits of a daily meditation practice.

So, I challenge you give it a try! Don’t look too closely at results but enjoy the process and allow the practice to open you to an expanded life experience!

For more:

Mindfulness Is Better Than Chocolate, David Michie

The Insight Meditation Society

Privacy and Policy:

While the law does not grant the privilege of confidentiality to life coaches, what we discuss will not be shared with others. Life coaching is a confidential process and must remain so in order for it to be successful