Meditation is the gateway, through which you arrive to the world of freedom.
- Remez Sasson
This month one of my goals was to meditate more often and for longer periods of time. I even downloaded a couple of apps (like meditation timers and songs) to help with my goal but I honestly haven’t done that well. It’s not that I don’t enjoy meditating, I actually love the clarity and peacefulness I feel during and afterwards, but I find that I forget or feel like I don’t have the necessary 2 – 3 minutes, which is crazy to think. Regardless of how busy my day may be I always try to find the time to sit for at least a couple minutes and meditate because I honestly believe my life and my soul are better when I meditate.
Meditation is a time where I let go of my daily responsibilities, worries, concerns, thoughts, feelings, material objects, fears and dreams and just breathe.
Meditation is a time to be present and look inside of myself and out into the universe for peace, beauty and connection.
Meditation allows me to feel one with the universe and all of the creatures within it – it helps me feel connected, lighter and grounded all at one.
Meditation brings freedom, energy and love with each inhale and gives room to exhale frustration, sadness, confusion.
Meditation gives me the ability to clear my brain of the everyday clutter and draw out the positive attributes I want to share with the world and acknowledge those other thoughts that I struggle with – no one emotion or thought is bad or good, each feeling should be acknowledged and accepted.
Meditation helps me live a more mindful, compassionate and authentic life.
Meditation makes me feel good…
Here’s the low down on my meditation practice…
When do I meditate? I try to meditate in the morning before I get dressed for a couple of minutes, then usually once or twice throughout the work day and I always intend on meditating when I get home but it rarely happens. I also enjoy meditating throughout the day at random moments; like waiting for the train, waiting in the line at Starbucks, right before an important meeting, after food shopping – times when I just want to take a moment and really live in the present.
What position do I sit or stand in? If I do meditate at home after work I love to put my feet up the wall and a face mask over my eyes – really helps me clear my head.
For how long? Each session lasts for 1 – 5 minutes. Usually I base the length of time on the number of my breaths or how long I feel like I’ve been sitting but I would like to start using a timer so I don’t have to worry about it.
Where? At home I tend to meditate in the bedroom, close to a window or wherever there is sunshine. The hardest part for me is meditating at work because I don’t really have anywhere to do this comfortably. Honestly, when I meditate at work I sit on the floor in one of the bathroom stalls – not necessarily the best environment for clarity and serenity, but it works.
Now, the biggest question of all, what do I think about? A lot of people feel like there are restraints and rules to meditating and if they don’t follow them strictly it won’t count. In my opinion, meditation should be what you want and need.
Most of the time I focus on taking long and deep inhales and exhales and in my mind I picture the ocean waves lapping my feet, the surf rolling in, the sun shining on my face, the energy of the world coming into my soul. Sometimes I count each breathe and try to make them longer. Other times I imagine breathing in the energy of the world around me and letting it wash over my body and soul. Sometimes I picture a bright light shining where my heart is and with every breath growing and expanding outside of me. I also enjoy focusing on words when I meditate, which is helpful during those times I can’t quiet my thoughts, like refresh, renew, open, light, truth. Repeating words out loud, in a form of chanting, is another form of meditation.
Regardless of how, where or when I meditate all I can say is that I’ve noticed changes, deep inside myself ever since I began my practice. Everyday I feel more grounded and happy and I impart some of those feelings to meditation.
So, do you meditate?
Breakfast
Cascadian Farms Cinnamon Crunch
Smoothie: Carrots, Celery, Spinach, Banana, Raspberries, Blueberries and Pear with Veggie Juice & Coconut Water
Along with some great reading material – Runner’s World and Yoga Journal, both super inspiring
Pre-Spin Snack
Slice of whole wheat bread with Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter w/ Coffee with Soy milk
Lunch
Quinoa with 1/3 Veggie Sausage & Sauteed Veggies
Including: Red Peppers, Onions, Mushrooms, Zucchini, Roasted Red Peppers & Spinach
Afternoon Snack
Handful of Trail Mix (Chocolate Cherry – yum!) with Orange Juice
Dinner
Light pasta (whole wheat) with broiled asparagus and sauteed mushrooms, artichoke hearts and spinach in an olive oil and lemon sauce
Along with a slice of Rosemary Olive Oil Bread and my signature drink (Cranberry Juice with Poland Spring Sparkling Water)
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“The whole thing about meditation and yoga is about connecting to the higher part of yourself, and then seeing that every living this is connected in some way.”
- Gillian Anderson
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