Want to feel more grounded and in your body? I suggest trying meditation. It’s a great way to start the day or wind things down in the evening.
Most of us spend our days hurrying from one task to the next. The problem is that over time, this becomes exhausting. Our minds fill up with stress, our bodies wear down, and we’re left feeling burned out and frustrated with our lives. Who can’t relate to feeling that way sometimes?
Mediation can help us break that pattern—by taking time to just sit with ourselves and be. It may seem intimidating—a common worry is “am I doing it right?”—but it’s actually really simple. There isn’t really a wrong way to do it: you just sit with yourself and look inward.
Here are some basic meditation instructions. These are designed to help you focus your attention on your breath while meditating, which is a common practice among both novice and experienced meditators:
- Sit comfortably on a cushion, mat or chair (cross-legged if you can).
- Close your eyes.
- If you feel moved to do so, dedicate your meditation practice to the benefit of all beings.
- Gently direct your attention to the air flowing in and out of your nostrils, or to your belly rising and falling with each breath.
- When you notice your attention wandering, gently direct it back to your breath or belly. This will happen constantly, that’s okay!
- Keep doing this for several minutes. You can start out meditating for five minutes at a time, but aim to work your way up to at least ten.
- Finish your meditation with a prayer for the well-being of all.
One important thing to note: don’t expect any results. That’s part of breaking our regular pattern, after all; learning to have an experience in the present moment that isn’t just about what comes next. Eventually, you will notice changes in yourself, but it can take time. Just go with the meditation practice, and see what happens.
No fancy shoes or clothing required. Just breathe! :)