Meditation is commonly touted as being a great way to relax, unwind, and care for your mental, emotional, and physical health. However, many individuals struggle to meditate. This is very normal, as the reigning idea of meditation looks like a person sitting cross-legged on a pillow chanting a neutral syllable alone. Though this is one way to meditate, it is not the only way or the best way for many people.
Meditation is fairly simple. Anyone can learn how to meditate and what types of meditation are helpful for them. It is a very effective way to manage stress, improve self-awareness, and focus on the present moment. Taking steps to learn about meditation is a great first step. From there, you can choose the best way for it to be a part of your life in a helpful application.
When understanding meditation, it is helpful to learn about the foundational beliefs that surround it. Meditation is based on the concept that a person comprises three parts: the physical body, working consciousness, and deep inner self. One's consciousness includes the mind, intellect, ego, and memories or impressions of the world.
These three parts are believed to interact with each other, feeding each other. The goal of meditation, at its foundation, is to reach past the physical body and working consciousness to feel the deep inner self. In terms of sensation, the experience of the deep inner self is one of peace and unity. This is also described as feelings of bliss.
Although they are often talked about in parallel, meditation differs from mindfulness. Mindfulness describes the proactive state of being aware of where you are and how you currently feel. On the contrary, meditation is practicing being with yourself and getting past surface- and mid-level thoughts and feelings to experience your deep inner self.
A quick search on the internet will show you that there are many kinds of meditation. However, they are all based on the same concept. Therefore, no matter what type of meditation you try, the goal is the same; therefore, the practice of meditation is also the same.
The first step is to find a safe environment where you can relax. This can be outside, lying in bed, or seated. Once you find a position that works for you, start to notice your body and breath. While the focus of meditation will change depending on the type of meditation, it relies on focusing on an object, your breath, or your body.
In this state of focus, thoughts and feelings will come and go. If you experience this, don't worry—this is entirely normal. As you practice meditation, you redirect your thoughts and focus by noticing them and letting them pass.
It is essential to be kind to yourself in this process. If you try to force yourself not to think, it is more likely that you will think. Noticing your thoughts come up and letting them pass is more effective. While you do, you can redirect your mind to the focus of your meditation practice.
Meditation can feel daunting to learn. However, it can be as simple as finding a place to relax and practice your focus. Focusing on your breathing or physical sensations is a good place to start. Then, as you practice, you can try other meditation forms to see the best fit for you.
Learning to meditate has many health benefits. While research varies on different benefits, it is associated with improving the following:
Meditation is a great addition to a self-care routine if you are struggling with mental health, physical health, or substance abuse.
Practicing any new habit takes time, effort, and focus. To create a routine for mediation, it helps to first dedicate daily time to it. Remember that building routine takes some discipline and experimentation. You may start by thinking that meditation in the morning will work for you. After trying it for a week or two, you may find that your meditation practice is more fruitful when you do it after lunch when you get home from work, or right before bedtime.
The most crucial thing in making meditation a habit is for it to work with your life rhythm. So finding the type, amount, time of day, and location needs to be a good fit for you. There is no perfect plan. However, some plans may work better for you than others. You need to focus on these plans and routines when trying to make meditation a new normal in your routine.
Remembering meditation can look very different for each person is also helpful. You do not need to meditate for a set amount of time every day or sit in the same place. Making a meditation practice yours means adjusting it to fit into your schedule.
Struggling with meditation is normal. However, it can be fairly simple, and you can get the hang of it with practice. Making meditation a regular part of your day has many benefits for your mental and physical health. If you are struggling with substance use disorder or mental health concerns, meditation is a great addition to help you care for your needs and manage stress. At NorthStar Transitions, we help people learn to navigate real-life recovery. This means assisting individuals in learning tools like meditation that can become a part of their life after treatment. To learn more about our programs or how we can help you, call us today at (303) 558-6400.
