What is meditation? How do I begin?

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Meditation is presence. Being present in the moment with your breath. There are many different types of meditation. You may be wondering how your going to turn off your “monkey mind.” Our brains “think” and “chatter.” The brain is just doing it’s part and functioning when thoughts jump in, however when you are in meditation, you don’t need to follow these thoughts. You become the observer of your thoughts. Behind our thoughts is our soul, the essence of who we are. It is completely normal for thoughts to jump in during meditation, when that happens be easy on yourself and then focus again on your breath.

You can play relaxing music if that helps you, or even listen to a guided meditation. You can even set the tone with candles or incense if you’d like.

You can begin with even 5 minutes a day, then increase it to 10, 20, 30….maybe even an hour! I love meditating in the morning before I begin my day. Choose a time that is best for you.

You can meditate anywhere, or you can set up a space in your house where you meditate. It is so nice to meditate outside in nature as well. When I am meditating at home,  I like to meditate near my altar while sitting on a pillow. Sometimes I switch it up and meditate somewhere else, however I enjoy having that special space set aside.

Sit in a comfortable seated position and bring your awareness to your breath. Let go of anything that has happened in the past, and anything that you are planning to do in the future. Just be, with yourself, in the moment. You can even lay down and meditate (as long as your not too tired and potentially may fall asleep! haha).

If thoughts pop in, envision your mind as the sky, and your thoughts as clouds in passing. Instead of following the thought, allow it to dissipate into the sky, or imagine it floating on by, without following it. Then allow yourself to be in the space between your thoughts.

When you are in meditation you are giving yourself time to just be. This can activate the parasympathetic nervous system to promote relaxation. It brings awareness, clarity, focus, and a relaxed peace of mind.

I invite you to make a commitment to yourself for 21 days. Choose an amount of time you will meditate each day, and the time of day you will meditate. Maybe it’s 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or an hour. Whatever you choose, stick to it for 21 days and see how you feel! Meditation has so many benefits, my favorite being the peace and connection that comes with it.

Let me know how it goes, and what you’ve noticed after incorporating meditation into your life

Happy Meditating!

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