How to Meditate? Is there a simple way to meditate and get the benefits?

When I was 28 I was introduced to meditation. I guess I had heard about it before - but I always thought it was for some guru up on the mountain tops….

But then I was in a 12 step group and they were touting the power of meditation. It is even talked about in one of the steps…

So … I decide OK I’ll try this meditation thing — but first I’ve got to find a method. Off I go to the bookstore and buy several books on meditation… Some of these books talked about easy, simple forms of meditation — and — some of them were for the gurus up on those mountain tops!

Many of the books were adamant about the posture you have while meditating. Most said it was very important that my feet were on the ground and my back straight. I did not find this a comfortable position at all –

But - I would sit straight, as they said … and then they said to quiet my thoughts… Quiet my thoughts! Well I guess that sounds simple and easy to do… but I certainly did not find it to be an easy task! And - sitting in this position certainly was not relaxing me — it was agitating me!

My thoughts would be racing - my posture position annoying me — I was now very agitated - I felt my attempts at this meditating thing were a failure!

OK — I’ll try the next book - this went on several times………

Then I found a program on cassette tapes - I don’t remember the name of it… This program talked about the levels of our brain and said I should go into an Alpha state.

This program did not say I needed to sit in a special way… Instead it said I should get comfortable - listen to the tape with headphones and look at a diagram of a red triangle…

Hmmm - OK - I can do that…

So there I was - on the coach - rather comfy — with my headphones on and a diagram of a triangle…. I stared at the triangle - which looked like it was moving while listening to the music….

That is all I remember because I fell asleep - About 1 hour later I awakened — Oh I thought - another failure!

My friends assured me - - falling asleep was not a failure - but instead my journey into the realm of meditation…

Why?

Because Meditation is about quieting the mind - - and our minds are not accustomed to being quiet! So - - apparently my mind did get quiet while I was in the meditation state - - and for me it was natural to fall asleep when my mind was quiet.

Then I read something from Deepak Chopra - - he was talking about meditation and he said that in between our thoughts there is always a gap - whether we are aware of that gap or not - it is there - and in that gap is the quieting of the mind.

That piece of info really helped me! I truly had a gazillion thoughts rolling around in my head - and I believed I was never going to be able to quiet those thoughts - so I was never going to be able to meditate!

I went back and forth with meditation for a few years - trying different techniques.
I guess I was trying to be the perfect meditator…

Several years ago - I decided to keep meditation real simple - no more books, no more techniques. I was just going to sit down - pay attention to my breathing - and stay there as long as I was comfortable.

So in the chair I sat - I didn’t go into any special positions - I closed my eyes and I became aware of my breathing - a thought would come in and I would gently re focus on my breathing.

The first time I did that - I last about 5 minutes and then I could feel if I stayed there I was going to get agitated - So I got up and instead of calling this a failure - I claimed it was a successful meditation! After all, as Deepak said - whether I was aware of it or not - I had gaps between my thoughts which meant I was meditating.

I eventually was able to increase my meditation time to 20-30 minutes. I now meditate almost on a daily basis - but I am not crazy strict about it. I now go with how I feel - - somedays I just don’t feel like meditating and that is OK.

I also found that using a cd with soft music or nature sounds is very beneficial to me. I do also direct my thoughts to my breathing - so when a stray thought pops in - - I just gently re-direct my thoughts back to my breathing. All very simple, all very gentle.

By not having to adhere to a bunch of rules - meditation has become enjoyable for me. It is that time out in the morning - where I just am able to let go of many thoughts. As I let go of them - I have found I end up with much more clarity in my day.

All those years ago - I was skeptical about meditating - - I did not really know what it was nor did I believe I would get any benefit from it - -Today I can say - I have reaped many, many rewards from this practice.

While I still have lots of thoughts - it is now fairly easy for me to quiet my mind. That is what meditation is - - the quieting of the mind. When you quiet the mind you open the access to your inner voice - - your true guidance system.
I have found an inner balance - I am more focused - I have more clarity - I have been able to tap into my inner voice - and when I am in tune with that inner voice I am able to follow my heart’s desires.

What do you think about meditating? Do you meditate? Do you use a specific practice? Tell me what you think……….