Dear Debbie,
I have been told that meditation would be good for me but have a hard time understanding what it is and how it can help me in my day to day life. Can you please explain it to me?
Meditate in Ft. Lauderdale
Dear Meditate,
Meditation is a tool that gives you the opportunity to look inside. There are many different types of meditations but ultimately the goal for most of them is the same, to quiet the mind.
With that being said it is very important to understand the process, since it is the journey of meditation that is most important, the goal will follow naturally.
To start, set aside time in a quiet place without interruption.
While meditating, there is nothing to do but be a witness to your experience, watching who you are and what comes up for you during the meditation.
It may happen, for example that you are anxious during meditation, that’s ok, be anxious fully, without judgment.
Witness your anxiety by noticing what happens to your breath, your body, your thoughts, the different sensations, and so on.
The practice of doing this brings a sense of understanding and peace about yourself that you carry with you in your day to day life.
If you are interacting with others or doing something mundane you can take that sense of inner knowing, of being the witness and apply it. This will help you live more authentically and allow you to truly enjoy whatever life presents you. Starting a practice of meditation can be done by setting aside as little as five minutes.
It is really about your total commitment to just “be” for those few minutes and see what that is for you. Slowly you will access deeper parts of yourself, small moments of silence, truly being present and you will see a transformation happening in your day to day life.
If meditation was something that was suggested to you I encourage you to take the time to follow your breath, and witness who you really are, it will change your life.
Debbie
Please be advised that the advice written in this column is not a substitution for psychotherapy.
