The Benefits of Meditation and How to Start Applying it?
By Kevin Masson MS, CSCS, CPT, PPSC, USAW
When the word meditation comes to mind, the image that comes to mind is a bunch of Buddhist monks sitting cross-legged chanting Aum. However, meditation is one of the most widely practiced stress management techniques worldwide. There are many benefits that you can derive from meditating. So let’s look at some of the benefits that meditation has to offer.
Meditation helps you control your thoughts. Man has conquered space and Mount Everest. But the most challenging thing to overcome is your mind. Even the greatest minds on Earth are not able to control their thoughts. Look at Van Gogh. He succumbed to his thoughts and committed suicide. They are not able to reject their negative thoughts and focus on the positive. However, the art of meditation teaches that not only that you can control your thoughts but you can also reject your negative thoughts. Through meditation, you will be able to create peace of mind that you always wanted.
Meditation also teaches you, detachment. It is easy to get annoyed by all the little things in life. It may be the jam to work in the morning, the rude lady that cut you in line, people that don’t say hello back. Every little small thing may annoy you. No matter how you try and avoid these problems, they will also keep appearing, and we need to get used to doing that. Meditation will help you develop detachment and also keep your mind in perspective. Through meditation, you will be able to detach yourself from all these irritating little nuisances.
Meditation also allows you the time that you need to examine yourself inwardly and enables you to gain a greater understanding of life. You will start to relax, and you will be able to view your life from a whole different perspective. Being grateful for what you already have instead of things you wish you had. Gratefulness is a powerful tool that many top leaders and billionaires use daily.
Lastly, meditation leads to happiness and peace of mind. As we have pointed out before, it helps you control your thoughts. So it is out with the negative thoughts and in with the positive energy. It detaches you from little petty problems and also helps you discover the purpose of life. So try meditating today to live a better life tomorrow.
Meditation involves silencing our minds. It is not an intellectual activity. Think of it as a tool to relax your whole self, and also for better health. It also can be a valuable tool to discover one’s self. The core of meditation is to focus and eventually quiet your mind. As you get better at it, you will find that you can meditate anywhere, anytime.
So, it’s actually easier said than done, with the crazy life we live in meditation can be challenging for a lot of people. Here are 5 quick steps to help you kick start a meditation habit. Remember, the key here is to create a habit even if you start with 5 mins every day, but you have to make it a priority in order for it to work.
Make time
When you are starting to learn how to meditate, you need to set aside enough time in your daily routine for meditation. It can be at any time of the day. You may set time for meditation at the start of the day, or you can put it at the end of the day as a means of relaxing. However, it is recommended that the easiest time to meditate is in the morning because your body is not tired, and your mind is still fresh.
Find a quiet space.
Once you find the time to meditate, you need to choose a suitable space to meditate. Create an environment that doesn’t have any noise or distractions. Turn off the television set or your handphone. You can put some music on, but make sure it’s calm, repetitive, and gentle so as not to distract you.
Relax
Sit on a leveled ground. Remember to keep your back straight. This will help with your breathing. Remember to relax your arms and legs. They don’t need to be in a particular position. The most important part is that you are relaxed. Now start searching for parts of your body that are not relaxed. It could be face muscles or certain parts of your body. Try loosening all of them.
Concentrate on something
It may be hard to control our thoughts through the power of the mind. So to silence your mind, try to focus your mind on something. It may be as simple as counting your breath or listening to your surroundings.
Silence your mind.
Once you are focused, now you can clear up your mind. This requires discipline, and it is alright if you are not able to master it immediately.
Most importantly, meditation is something done with intensity and focus, once you achieved that, you have reached the pinnacle of meditation. So try it at home today, and you’ll find yourself feeling better than you have ever been before. Look for apps like headspace or youtube videos if you are still struggling with it.
