“Quiet the mind, and the soul will speak.” — Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati
As we navigate the complexities of our lives, it is easy to get overwhelmed, stressed, or lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and activities. For those of us who are juggling multiple responsibilities, career transitions, or simply coming to terms with the changes happening in our lives, these complexities can create mental and emotional clutter – a fog that we sometimes have trouble seeing through. One practice that can alleviate this is meditation – it has stood the test of time, it cultivates peace of mind, it provides overall well-being, and for some, sparks a life-long practice of introspection. Whether you’ve never meditated before or are curious and considering incorporating it into your routine for the first time, understanding its benefits and various types can be incredibly empowering – and useful! And in some cases, even life-altering.
At its core, meditation is the practice of focusing the mind and quieting the constant chatter that often fills our thoughts. It involves focusing your attention, and eliminating distractions (to the best of your ability) to achieve mental focus and emotional calm. While this sounds simple, it often requires practice and patience. In A Clinician’s Guide to Teaching Mindfulness, Christiane Wolf, MD, PhD, provides the following tips for beginning a meditation practice:
- Identify a protected time for your practice – no interruptions
- Find a place where you feel safe and comfortable
- Create an environment conducive to meditating
- Choose a comfortable position
- Create a routine – practice at the same time
For many women, this can be a much-needed respite from the demands of daily life. No matter what is going on, meditation offers an opportunity for mental and emotional downtime. Meditation encourages you to observe your thoughts and emotions, rather than get swept up in them, helping you to better understand your inner mechanics. By creating this space for introspection, you can learn more about yourself, your desires, and your needs, fostering a greater sense of inner peace and confidence.
There are many forms of meditation (Mindfulness Meditation, Guided Meditation, Vipassana, Pranayama, etc.), but the basic principle remains the same: to turn inward and connect with your inner self, your soul. The key is focusing and being fully present in the moment, regardless of the type of meditation you choose.
I remember my first encounter with meditation many decades ago – I had picked up a neighbourhood flyer which invited me to an ‘Evening of Meditation’. I went out of curiosity, more than anything. The event was being held in an old, dank church basement, and I found it impossible to concentrate as I sat cross-legged on a cold mat with the other meditators. Unimpressed, I did not understand what all the hype was about. A few years later, I stumbled across a Transcendental Meditation studio downtown, that was asking for an exorbitant amount of money to teach me how to do Transcendental Meditation. Of course, they were even going to throw in my very own personalized mantra – how exciting – but I didn’t buy it.
By the time I was into my 40s, I was running my own business and was stressed out of my mind, looking for anything that would relieve the constant pressure in my life, when I discovered Mindfulness Meditation. I had come across an engineer, who had been teaching small-group Mindfulness Meditation classes for years. It wasn’t until I took his class, that I started to finally get a glimpse into the benefits of meditation. I found small pockets of peace, and embraced the concept of equanimity (the state of psychological stability and composure, which is undisturbed by the experience of, or the exposure to, emotions, pain, or other phenomena that may cause one to lose the balance of one’s mind). But, my newly-found mental oasis was short-lived. Eventually, the course ended, my meditation practice trailed off, and it wasn’t long before I was swept back up into the daily chaos of the business.
Then one spring, while attending a kundalini yoga retreat in Costa Rica, someone mentioned a book called Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself, written by Joe Dispenza, a man who had healed from a severe back injury using nothing but his mind. How incredible was that!!? When I returned home, I inhaled all of Joe Dispenza’s books, and started going to his workshops and retreats. Before I knew it, I was immersed in a world that I never wanted to leave. Dr Joe (as he is lovingly known to his students), develops meditations that are designed to help individuals achieve personal transformation by tapping into the mind-body connection, fostering healing, and creating new mental and emotional patterns. His approach focuses on breaking old habits (thought patterns), mindfulness and presence, healing the body, creating a new reality, elevating consciousness, and manifesting desired outcomes. Overall, Joe Dispenza’s meditations are about transforming one’s mind, emotions, and body, to create a more fulfilling and empowered life. They promote self-discovery and personal growth by altering mental habits and emotional states. This was the meditation for me!
If you have never tried meditation before, it can be daunting to start. And, with so many different meditation styles, it can be tempting to get caught up in which one is ‘right’ for me? The answer is, any one of them might be ‘right’ for you — simply try a few types, and see which one fits you, your lifestyle or your goals. You don’t need to sit there cross-legged for an hour, waiting for a wave of bliss to wash over you. You can lie down every morning for 10 minutes, and manifest your future into existence – maybe this is more up your alley?
So, whether you choose mindfulness meditation, a guided meditation, or you want to rewire your brain, the key is to begin the journey. For you newbies, there are many apps you can download on your phone such as Headspace, Calm, Buddhify or Breethe. For those of you who are a little more adventurous, take a look at Dr Joe’s books, meditations and retreats at www.drjoedispenza.com. And for those of you who are looking for a real mind-bending experience, check out the programs at The Monroe Institute www.monroeinstitute.org.
Meditation doesn’t require great skill, just a willingness to take some time each day to connect with yourself and to go within. By doing so, you will create a sanctuary for yourself, where you can destress, practice self-discovery, or manifest your future. And that is a powerful tool to have in your back pocket.