Spirit Sunday * Meditation
Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years. Originally, it was meant to help deepen understanding of the sacred and mystical forces of life. It’s still used as a form of prayer in many religious traditions. It’s also commonly used for relaxation and stress reduction, and it can help improve your mental and physical health (everything really is connected to everything, as Marilu says!). It’s a way to center yourself and find balance within, so that you can live a more balanced life in the world.
Anyone can practice meditation. It’s simple and inexpensive, and it doesn’t require any special equipment. And you can practice meditation wherever you are — whether you’re out for a walk, riding the bus, waiting at the doctor’s office or even in the middle of a difficult business meeting. Meditation is anything that stabilizes the mind and cultivates its natural qualities. There’s really no right or wrong way to meditate, there’s only what works for you.
One of the simplest forms of meditation is to focus on your breathing. We’re always meditating on something – usually we’re meditating on our fears, doubts, and cravings. In this meditation, the breath becomes the focus instead.
Just think about your breath (usually by directing your focus at the tip of your nose) and “ride” it in and out. You’ll still think about other things – just set them aside mentally, and come back to thinking about your breath.
Sometimes people think meditating means not thinking about anything, but that’s impossible. Instead, we change our relationship to thought. When you notice that attention has strayed away from the breath, simply bring it back (no judgment!).
Today, try meditating for 5-10 minutes. Get somewhere comfortable, where you won’t be interrupted, and just breathe.
