“When you find peace within yourself you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others” Peace Pilgrim
The simple act of sitting and breathing has lost its importance in the modern world. We’ve forgotten that taking time to clear the mind and connect with the body is THE most productive thing we can do.
The first time I attempted meditation I was uncomfortable and bored. My mind was jumping around like a hyperactive monkey incessantly chattering about all the more useful/enjoyable things I could be doing. Instead of feeling relaxed I was anxious and agitated. Thankfully I persevered and now my meditation sessions are something I cherish rather than dread.
As a fledging yoga teacher I want to explore ways to encourage my students to push past this hurdle. When first introduced to meditation many peoplefind their mind wandering and get annoyed at themselves or resentful of the practice, building up resistance to any time on the mat not spent in asana (physical practice).
Silence and stillness are to be treasured, not shunned.
Unfortunately many people have forgotten how to be with themselves and couldn’t bear the thought of spending even 10 minutes in conscious solitude without any kind of ‘entertainment’ or distraction. The fast pace of modern life encourages us to use every second and modern technology means we are available and able to work 24 hours a day and we hardly ever ‘switch off’.
The simple act of finding a quiet spot, closing the eyes, withdrawing from the senses and focusing on the breath, even for a few minutes every day can have a huge effect on our physical and mental well-being. We are literally clearing clutter, giving the mind a chance to process the tremendous amount of information that bombards us daily. I recently saw a quote comparing the mind to a browser with multiple tabs open which resonated with me. How many times have you sat down to complete a task online and been distracted? This is how the mind feels when you are constantly flicking from one thing to another, sometimes you just need to reset.This stillness promotes clarity of thoughts; allowing us to focus on what is really important and stop worrying about the large proportion of inconsequential negative thoughts have a tendency to occupy our minds.
When we meditate we are taken out of the past and the future (where so many of us spend so much mental energy) and placed firmly in the present moment.
Another important factor is the space you choose for meditation. If you regularly attend yoga classes your meditation space will be the classroom but I think it’s vital to establish your own personal meditation routine. Find somewhere peaceful and un-cluttered where you know you wont be disturbed. In my present circumstances this is in the rainforest behind our house. When I lived close to the beach it was a rock overlooking the ocean. Surrounding myself with the sounds of nature is the easiest way for me to focus the mind.
I find visualisation extremely useful when attempting to quieten the mind, even though this may seem like an oxymoron. The mind loves tasks, give it something to do and you can easily harness it. I’d like to share my visualisation technique of choice which was suggested by my first yoga teacher, the Brazilian beauty Mariana who persevered in teaching me full headstand, even though it took a year!
