The War of Meditation
Have you heard about meditation yet? It's a practice that offers numerous benefits for your health and well-being. However, many people struggle to incorporate it into their routines. Some individuals find it challenging to sit still for an extended period while meditating, and their mind wanders. What they don't realize is that these are the symptoms that are supposed to be experienced while meditating, especially in the beginning! According to an old Zen saying, "You should sit in meditation for 20 minutes a day unless you’re too busy, then you should sit for an hour." This saying highlights the importance of meditation. Don’t you think there is a reason why it is so difficult for us to slow down and be still? Perhaps there is something magical that happens when someone surrenders to the present moment. Have you ever wondered what is found in that stillness, where only the brave venture?
A simple sitting position. A simple activity of noticing your breath. And yet, what is experienced is a war within the mind. An enormous cacophony of memories and fears, or thoughts and opinions, possibilities, and replays, all the tasks that need to be completed for the rest of your life, all the failures and things you never accomplished, relationship concerns, all the insecurities about yourself, all the things you are angry at, and everything you have to feel sad about. And on top of that, how about fears of being alone? That is if you are lucky, perhaps it is nothing but an annoying static and an inability to land on anything at all. Perhaps it is an inability to sit comfortably, a squirming sensation in your body, butterflies in your gut, an annoying preoccupation with every single stimulation or uncomfortable division in your posture, or how weird your body is all of a sudden feeling. What is making the body so uncomfortable I wonder? This battlefield certainly makes it difficult to navigate through and remember the thing you were ‘supposed to be doing!’ Which is a simple act of noticing your breath. Perhaps there is something there worth fighting for.
When meditating, it's important to focus on not only your breath but also everything that's happening around you, including any discomfort or unease you may experience. Notice the sounds and sensations in the world around you. Notice your posture and any sensations in your body. Notice warmth, tingles, pleasures, and discomfort. Observe without judgment, how your mind easily shifts from one thought to another. It's essential to be curious about why your mind behaves in this manner. What is the nature of these thoughts? Are they positive, negative, or anxious? Are they related to the past, present, or future? Is there a theme to this narrative? By observing your thoughts, you'll get to know yourself better, accept yourself, and then return to your breath. More importantly, you'll learn to recognize when your mind wanders and why it happens. You can then take control of your attention and redirect it back to your breath. With continued practice, you'll become better at holding your attention for longer periods, noticing when you're in thought, redirecting it back to the breath, and grounding yourself in the present.
The practice of meditation is a simple yet challenging process that involves confronting your inner self and your ego. It is a journey within, where you learn and discover a lot about yourself. The stillness of meditation is like a glass filled with murky dirty water. As the water settles down, all the dirt and impurities settle at the bottom, and the water becomes clear. Similarly, as your mind settles deeper and deeper during meditation, you gain more clarity and find greater peace and freedom. If you consider how much content has cluttered up your mental space, imagine what it could feel like if you clear some of it out. Meditation is also considered a spiritual practice.
Meditation is a spiritual practice that has existed for centuries and can be found in many religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Islam. Spiritual meditation is a tool used to connect with the divine and achieve spiritual awakening and enlightenment through self-reflection and contemplation. Mindfulness meditation involves being aware of one's thoughts and feelings without judgment or attachment. Which involves the act of detachment.
By practicing spiritual meditation, individuals can become more aware of themselves as a part of something larger than themselves. This connection can lead to finding peace, harmony, contentment, joy, and ultimately, a sense of purpose in life. By taking time out each day for reflection or prayer through spiritual meditation, it is possible to deepen one's sense of purpose while also creating a greater sense of balance in life.
Meditation is an ancient practice that can be beneficial to everyone irrespective of their religious beliefs or background. It is a powerful tool that can help achieve inner peace, mental clarity, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world around us. There are various methods to practice meditation, including the use of mantras, focusing on affirmations such as loving-kindness, visualization meditation with guided walk-throughs, walking meditations in nature, and simple meditation while engaging in a hobby that requires prolonged periods of concentration.
Just like a cat who resists a bath or the painful healing process of a wound, meditation can be a soothing balm to the mind. Take a moment to immerse yourself in meditation and connect with your inner self. Remember, the effort you put into it will be worth it in the end.
-with peace and love
Stephanie M. Perez, LPC
Kevin, What Is Spiritual Meditation? ( The Ultimate Guide) – Planet Meditation (planetmeditate.com)
