Meditation for a Healthier Life
Meditation is a powerful tool that anyone can do anytime for free. The only cost is the time you set aside every day, but this can be considered an investment that will yield a great return.
Benefits of meditation:
-Increased focus, awareness, stamina, mood, energy, decision making skills, concentration and memory.
-A longer “fuse” (the ability to stay composed in otherwise stressful situations).
-Freedom from the chatter of the mind and a more positive outlook on life.
-A deeper understanding of self.
Jordan Peterson is known for his emphasis on cleaning your room as an essential part of keeping your life in order. The idea is that if you are able to do something as simple as maintain a neat space, you are on track to establishing more structure in all your endeavors.
Anyone who has ever had any kind of room knows that without proper upkeep, there will be a mess. That mess will continue to grow and become more and more jumbled until it is dealt with, and the bigger the room, the larger the mess can become. Furthermore, what is required to deal with such clutter becomes greater with each passing day, making it more likely to be neglected, and easier for us to procrastinate on doing the work or even starting it.
The same is true with our thoughts, feelings, plans, relationships, self-image, and all the “stuff” we keep in our heads. The tangles that naturally result from years of collecting information and experiences eventually result in stress and a decrease of functionality. Sometimes we end up ignoring entire sections of our minds because they are so disorderly, uncomfortable, or downright traumatic. But, if you take the time to keep it somewhat organized, you will find it easier to manage your stuff; instead of the chaos that will inevitably arise in a room left unattended.
Meditation is the discipline of cleaning the attic (yes, the one in your cranium) or at least starting to understand what is up there, where things are, connecting what belongs together, and getting rid of what is no longer needed. A daunting chore indeed, however, there are simple techniques that can make this feat more attainable. This is also something you don’t have to do all at once, but little by little, progress can be made.
The process won’t always be easy, but at least you won’t have to climb up and down a rickety ladder every day. Remember, anyone can practice meditation anytime, anywhere. That being said, I recommend setting aside a time and place where this can be done consistently.
Simply sitting and observing your breath and any sensations or thoughts as they arise and pass is an effective way to start meditating. Make time for yourself when you can sit undisturbed (first thing in the morning or before bed are popular choices) and set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes. Gradually increase the time as you see fit.
Group meditation retreats are available around the world and can be a very educational immersive experience. See Dhamma.org for more info on these services. Yoga and Qigong are excellent examples of moving meditation, and go hand in hand with meditating in stillness. YouTube is a free and plentiful source of all kinds of guided meditations, calming music and sounds, as well as boundless presentations on the benefits and science behind it all.
Whichever approach you take, consistency will produce the best results.
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Happy Cleaning!
Jason Cooper, PharmD, RYT
www.acyoga.org
