Meditation

Yesterday I spoke about meditation and today I want to give a little lecture on the value of meditating.  As chance will have it, the latest O magazine has Oprah discussing in her “What I know for sure” column that skipping her Gratitude journal has left her unbalanced and ragged.  I’ve noticed this phenomenon myself.  When I write something in my gratitude journal I feel much more mellow as I start my day than when I neglect this part of my daily routine.  Sarah Ban Breathnach has said “it is NOT an option” with regard to keeping the gratitude journal.  She found that of all the things she learned in her pursuit of Simplicity this was the one ingredient that could not be avoided.

       So step one in any meditation program; keep a gratitude journal DAILY.  This will put you in a mellow, gentle frame of mind.  You are now prepared for the next step; if possible start with a yoga practice but if this is not possible, then go to the meditation process.  I prefer to do the yoga because it makes me mindful of my body and leads me gently into the breathing for meditation.

       Do I hear alarm bells going at the thought of deep breathing and sounding “oum oum oum”?    Have no fear as this is not a requirement of meditation as I experience it.  At the end of my yoga practice I will sit cross legged, holding out my arms and folding in my fingers and I simply take my breaths and silently breath out “blessings”.  It does sound strange and when I first read about it I thought “I can’t do that” but I was willing to try.  I was completely amazed at how tranquil I felt afterwards.  It’s not mandatory, but be a dare devil and give it a shot!

       Next, find a place in the house where you can be alone for 15 minutes (minimum) and here you can simply sit and think.  About whatever you like.  Imagine, 15 minutes of Me Time.

       Does the idea of being alone with yourself scare you?