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Do you need to sit in a lotus pose on top of a mountain to meditate?
There are a lot of stereotypes about meditation.
What I hear people say is
I tried to meditate, but my mind was too busy
Meditation makes me anxious
I cannot stop my mind from thinking
I should meditate, but..
Good news! You don’t need to stop your mind from thinking to meditate! In fact, you couldn’t if you tried (as some of you already know). Our brain keeps producing thoughts - it’s what it does. What we learn in meditation is that we are NOT our thoughts! Say to yourself “I am thinking a thought” and you will see that there is you and there are your thoughts. We can get to know that “I” a little better in meditation.
We can also create more space for our thoughts. You know how it is when there are a bunch of noisy kids all stuck in a small room? They can drive you crazy! But if you let them go outside and play in the yard - no problem! Same thing in meditation: we don’t try to control or stop anything. We create space and welcome all parts of our experience. That’s right! Everything belongs! Just like little kids in the yard are so happy to run around without being reprimanded, our thoughts, emotions, sensations get to express themselves without judgment. And just like little kids, they run out of energy and calm down after a while. It can be a rich experience to be with the full range of who you are.
A wonderful “side effect” of meditation is that once you become friends with yourself, other people stop pushing your buttons as much. By spending time in your inner world, your outside world starts to change. It’s not magic, but the effects are magical!
So do you have to sit in a lotus pose to get these results? Not really! There are more ways to meditate than I have space to write about. Meditation is being present to your experience at the moment.
Being in awe at the beauty of the setting sun
Inhaling the smell of a rose
Looking at your sleeping child
Taking care to make a perfect cup of coffee, inhaling its aroma, feeling the warmth of the mug in your hands.. Feeling that first sip warming you up inside..
Losing yourself in a dance or a song..
Remember the moments in your life when you feel fully present, the time stops.. There is awe, connection, stillness (even in movement), and joy. Start to notice these moments and know that you are entering your unique doorway into meditation.
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