What is the Purpose of Meditation?

Yo gang, here today to advocate for a practice that has been around for thousands of years, is a proven effective method for improving life and health - and continues to be treated like the red headed step-child in the Western world because we make it more difficult than it has to be.

Meditation is not about dressing in monk’s robes, om’ing and emptying your mind.

THE PURPOSE OF MEDITATION IS TO HELP US WAKE UP

“Meditation is simply the art of opening to each moment of life with calm awareness.” Victor Davich, The Best Guide to Meditation.

See, you already know how to meditate, you just might not do it often. Some reasons to make it a liiiittle more of a regular practice include:

Materially reduce stress and stress-related illnesses like heart disease, hypertension, and insomnia
Increase stamina
Speed recovery
Make more accurate judgements
Lessen frequency of asthmatic attacks and other allergic reactions
Improve memory and intelligence
Process emotions properly
Develop compassion
Improve motor function skills

You can even develop mindfulness during simple day-to-day activities such as:

Being outdoors
Doing the dishes
Walking
Driving
Jigsaw puzzling (this was how I started)
Eating mindfully

When you’re ready for an intentional practice, follow these steps:

Find a quiet, clutter-free area
Get comfortable
Block your time (set it like an appointment and start at 5-10min max)
Pick a “mental device” or use an app

Device ideas:

BREATH (inhale/exhale at comfortable pace or box breathe 3:3:3:3)
MANTRA (“I am safe and secure” or “I am resilient”)
FUTURE TRIP (visualize 6 months ahead - how do you want to be, think, feel?)
Apps = @sbtbreathe @insighttimer @calm @headspace

TIPS

If not using an app, phone out of sight on Do Not Disturb.
Do it first thing before your day takes over.
You’re not “good” or “bad” at meditation - it’s simply something you choose to do or not.

Your Meditation Muscles

The first time you did a pushup or a squat it was probably shaky. Picture your meditation muscles this way. The more you practice, the more comfortable it will become!