Some of you know that for the past 8 months during my 200 hour yoga teacher training program — I learned a form of Vipasana (seated, quite meditation) and practiced it every day for at least 20 minutes. I did not miss a day.
Some days — I was tired — but deep down I was seeing the positive effects of this meditation for me. I didn’t want to miss a day.
For the past 3 decades, I’ve learned all kinds of meditation, completed workshops and certifications, participated in courses and different practices. I think any mediation is good. But, Vipasana really gets us to sit — be still –non-reactive – even when discomforting feelings, thoughts and/or emotions come up. And, the studies and benefits are now showing how this meditation helps our brains develop and age better. This practice is thousands of years old!
How about you? Do you want more calm, peace, clarity, less reactivity in your life? Are you someone who says “I can’t sit still — it’s not for me?” Well, that someone who can’t sit still was me and let me tell you — this meditation is for you!
Am I more calm when something upsets me? Yes. Of course, I have my days when it’s not so easy to stay calm — but even if I react — I stop myself before my emotions totally get the best of me. This is a practice — not a magic pill or something we do once and bingo all our worries are gone.
Does my meditation calm my thinking?
Yes, but not always — and it’s not suppose to. We are thinkers — us humans and the goal of meditation is to not stop our thoughts — but instead be aware of them — notice them like clouds floating by. In fact, if you are looking for a time in your day and/or night where you are at ease — you don’t have “to do” anything — this meditation is perfect. Instead of judging, solving, and/or reacting — we just get to be. And, with this — we become aware of our thoughts — our inner self that is guiding us all day long — when mosts times we are guided by our voice and thoughts with complete unawareness.
What’s the outcome of this meditation?
We gain more clarity, calmness, awareness, and our actions and decisions can now come from a place of peace instead of anger, sadness, etc. Research now indicates that we improve, nurture and “grow” our brain when we meditate. Also, we control our thoughts — they no longer control us. We learn the importance of our breath and how with meditative breathing we learn to slow down and listen to our bodies. Overall — we can cultivate better health and quality of life for ourselves.
And, we learn to cultivate our most important relationship — our relationship with ourselves.
The wonderful aspect about meditation is the mechanism to do it — is already built into us. We don’t have to buy or go anywhere to access this tool (unless you go to a class or workshop and/or purchase an app)– it’s already in us and easy and ready to use – always. Using our breath – we learn to give our bodies and minds what they need — not what we think they want. We feel. We just get to be.
If you need to ease into meditation and a guided approach is better for you now — I highly recommend the app “Simple Habit.” If you get it — check out the teacher Cory Muscara — you won’t regret it! Or send me an email and let’s meet to get you started: christine@soletosoulecoaching.com
And, reach out to me if you are in need of your clean self care and beauty and/or home products! Local friends — the next Beautycounter order will be place on June 9th. Check out new arrivals: http://www.beautycounter.com/christinequinn or email me: christine@soletosolucoaching.com
AND, be on the lookout — I’ll be adding new classes/workshop soon — for our health, well being and to boost our quality of life!