Mediation and Mindfulness
Let's integrate Meditation and Mindfulness into your Reiki or Coaching, or join one of my free meditation groups!
From childhood and through adulthood I've experienced a lot of anxiety, which manifested itself in a way that might lead people to call me "high strung." This invited a lot of mostly unhelpful advice from "you should chill out," to "you really ought to meditate." While both of those statements are true, I found meditation impossible. I had no real guidance. I wasn't aware that there were multiple schools of meditation, or techniques. I didn't understand it as a practice that requires development. All I knew was that sitting still quietly made me want to scream. Meditation can be anything from uncomfortable to dangerous for people with a history of trauma. Particularly if you just dive in without any understanding of what you're in for. I often had trouble keeping my eyes closed during savasana in yoga class. So opening up to the mysteries of my inner space was unpleasant. Through yoga, study, and the guidance of long time mediators I found my way in to mediation. I then trained to teach mediation and mindfulness.
Meditation for me isn't so much about the time I spend meditating. It's much more about my experience the rest of the time. Just like some people feel really good going for a run, while others of us feel like we're suffering in support of the time we're not running. And sometimes it's both.
So, meditation can be challenging. That's the first thing we need to accept. It doesn't always feel good. But it's exercise for the mind and body for the rest of the time, when we're not actively meditating.
Another thing I've learned is that when it's hard we can stop, back off, switch approaches, whatever we need to do in order to allow ourselves more ease. Just like in yoga, the point isn't to work until we hurt. The point is to find the edge of our ability and balance on it.
Meditation is one of the most personal experiences you can have, and it's very important to find the space for yourself within it. You can learn to hear yourself and actively show yourself respect by finding the balance of challenge and surrender that you need. In the language of buzzwords, it's the ultimate self care.
So, meditation taught me how to take care of myself. And my hope is that it does the same for you.
