The Real Purpose of Meditation
Have you tried to meditate, but it just seems so…impossible. This article is for you!
Before you roll your eyes at the ten thousandth mention of meditation, hear me out.
I never used to be a fan of meditation.
Not because I didn’t like it, but I just didn’t see the point. I’d often find myself sitting there in silence for ten minutes trying to “clear my mind” and not think about anything and would just end up feeling frustrated.
However, after realizing what meditation is really about and practicing in a way that is meaningful to me, I can honestly say it’s changed my life for the better.
I encourage you to take time to find a meditation practice that feels good to you.
If sitting in silence is your thing then by all means. If guided meditations seem more doable, then try those. If putting on soft music sounds nice then do that. If a walking meditation seems more fitting, then why not?
The point isn’t so much about how you meditate, it’s about why.
The purpose of meditation is not to stop thinking. That will likely never happen. According to neuroscientist and spiritual leader, Deepak Chopra, we have between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts per day after all.
The purpose is to become an observer of your thoughts so that you may detach from them. When you can objectively observe your thoughts you are able to stop assigning meaning to them. This will then allow you to release these thoughts instead of getting caught up in them and identifying with them.
Imagine each thought as a cloud.
As you sit in meditation and have a thought, picture a cloud forming over your head. As you become aware of this cloud you can then either choose to engage with it or simply allow it to float by making room for the next cloud. And so on and so forth. By letting it float away you are releasing the thought rather than getting stuck in it (which is when we go down those crazy rabbit holes and before we know it we’re thinking about cats in outer space).
This is what meditation is all about. Surrendering to the present, allowing, trusting and releasing.
Meditation prepares us to flow with life rather than try to force it. It equips us with a strong, grounded center so that when things go awry we know how to adapt and evolve. A meditation practice also constantly brings us back to the present moment, which is the only true moment we ever have.
If you’ve never meditated before, start with five minutes each day and work your way up. Focus on releasing your thoughts as they come rather than trying not to think at all.
Commit to this practice for 40 days and keep track of how you feel at the beginning of the 40 days versus at the end.
Happy meditating ;)
Namaste.
