Why I Meditate—And Why I Think You Should, Too

Unless you’ve somehow managed to tune out every social trend and pop culture reference of the last five years, you’ve probably noticed that meditation has gotten pretty popular. Wildly popular, in fact.  This ancient practice that was once isolated to mountain-dwelling monks and their most devoted students has fairly recently been appropriated for Western consumption and turned into a complete cultural revolution. Everyone, it seems, has jumped on the meditation bandwagon. And honestly, I’m here for it. 

I first learned about meditation as an anxiety-ridden 18-year-old trying to figure out how to widen the gaps between panic attacks. My therapist at the time, who also happened to be a practicing Buddhist, taught me about meditation and gave me basic instructions for practicing it. She urged me to start meditating for a few minutes every day. At the time, the idea that sitting still and breathing with my eyes closed would somehow help my seemingly incurable anxiety seemed pretty ludicrous to me; but I was desperate enough to give anything a try. So, after my therapy session, I went back to my dorm room and followed the simple set of instructions she’d given me. I sat and I breathed. Then I sat and I breathed some more.  And little by little, those sessions of sitting became an integral part of my daily life. 

The positive impact of meditation on my anxiety and panic attacks wasn’t subtle. 

I can tell you, without the least bit of exaggeration, that they saved me. And over the last 10 years of working with people in my own practice, I’ve seen it save many other people, too.

I’m over 15 years into a regular practice, and I can still only speak about meditation as a beginner. Because no matter how many hours I’ve logged on my cushion, I’m always experiencing the practice as if for the first time. I’m grateful for that. Meditation humbles me. It grounds me. It keeps me aware of my ego in its many amusing disguises. It reminds me that stillness is my truest expression. It gives me the courage to face the things I’d much rather hide from. This, all of this, is why I meditate. 

It’s amazing to think that meditation has been around for literally thousands of years, yet modern researchers of all stripes continue to be stunned by the many profound benefits it has to offer. How did those ancient ancestors of ours know that this subtle practice could so powerfully change our lives (and our brains)? How did they know that the simple act of sitting in stillness could be such a potent medicine? 

The wisdom of meditation really does live in its simplicity. 

Don’t let the fancy apps or the esoteric accounts from self-proclaimed enlightened folks fool you: meditation is its most effective in its most straightforward form. 

If you want to become a meditator, all you need is the commitment to practice. 

You don’t have to light incense or buy a fancy set of mala beads; and your practice will totally still count if you don’t post about it on Instagram.  

 

Ready to see what all the hype’s about and start meditating? 

To start, set a simple timer for a short period of time; I typically recommend 3 to 5 minutes a day for the first few weeks. You can lie down or stand, but sitting tends to offer the perfect balance of comfort and alertness. When sitting, keep your spine straight so that you’re actively supporting an upright posture; this will help to keep you focused and attentive during your practice. Your eyes can stay open, focused on a spot on the ground in front of you, or you can allow them to gently close. Now, all you need to do is hold the intention to center your attention any time it drifts away. And believe me, it will drift away. When you’re first getting started, it might help to count your breaths as a way to anchor your attention; once you’ve counted 10 full inhales and exhales, start again at 1, and any time you notice that you’ve gotten lost in your thoughts, gently—without thinking about it or beating yourself up—start counting again. If you find yourself coming back to your breathing and counting over and over again because your attention keeps drifting, it means you’re doing it right. 

Keep breathing. Keep counting. Keep drifting. Keep returning. Keep going.  

Like anything in life, you can’t get the benefits of meditation unless you practice it consistently. And sadly, a lot of people who try meditating quickly give up because they think they aren’t any good at it. They expect that their minds are supposed to go silent, and when that doesn’t happen, they assume they’ve somehow failed. But know this: as long as you’re living, your mind will never go completely silent. The point is not to make your mind get quiet, but to learn how to stay centered no matter how much noise it’s making. No matter how troubling your thoughts are. No matter how painful your emotions are. No matter how difficult your circumstances are. No matter what’s going on in your mind, your heart, your relationships, or your life. 

Meditation teaches you that you can be present to all of it. That you can face it all with centered awareness and move through the chaos one breath at a time. 

Are you a devoted meditator? Share with me your reasons for practicing. Ready to get started for the first time? Give me a shout and let me know if I can help you get your practice in motion!

Wellness 101

Are you interested in having a healthy and happy life? Do you want to wake up in the morning feeling inspired and grateful to be alive? Do you want your relationships to thrive? Do I even have to ask you any of this? Of course you want those things! We all do. And that’s why the global wellness industry has grown to be worth over $4.2 trillion! More and more, the desire to feel well and live well is driving people to fork over many a hard-earned dollar for everything from organic produce to Tibetan retreats. And that’s a pretty incredible thing. Good for us for realizing that our wellbeing matters! Good for us for recognizing that life feels a whole lot more meaningful when we carry out our days in the pursuit of our full potential! But here’s the thing: wellness doesn’t have to be complicated or come with a high price tag. In fact, all you need to become a well-oiled wellness machine is intention, some effort—cuz nothing that’s worth it comes easy, amiright?—and a little bit of knowledge about the wellness essentials. 

Here’s what you need to know.

Basically, wellness consists of 8 dimensions:  

Emotional

The ability to cope effectively with what life throws your way. The awareness of what you’re feeling when you’re feeling it, and the confidence in knowing that you can manage what you’re experiencing and ask for help when you need it.

Environmental

The experience of being connected to your environment—which includes everything from your home, to your workplace, to the planet. The awareness that taking care of your environment and contributing positively to it makes a positive difference for you and everyone around you. 

Financial

The ability to meet your basic needs. A sense of satisfaction with your finances, regardless of how much you make or own. The confidence that comes with understanding your finances and having a plan for the future.

Intellectual

An ongoing desire to keep learning and growing by gaining new knowledge and information, and developing new skills and interests. A willingness to maintain an open mind and adopt new perspectives so you can understand other people, and the world around you, more clearly. 

Occupational

A sense of personal satisfaction with your work. The willingness to work with intention and purpose, regardless of what you might be doing. The feeling that the work you do is a meaningful contribution. 

Physical

A commitment to staying healthy by eating nutritive, life-sustaining foods and regularly exercising. An ongoing connection to your body that’s maintained through things like personal hygiene, healthy physical touch, movement, and rest. 

Social

A sense of being connected to others and being part of a collective. The presence of a support system in your life. The feeling that you matter to other people, and the awareness that other people matter to you. 

Spiritual

A unique and ever-evolving sense that life is meaningful, and that you have a purpose in being here. A sense of connection to the beliefs, values, and morals that guide you. A feeling that you can find peace or connection in something beyond yourself. 

 

Get familiar with these 8 dimensions of wellness, and start taking stock of where you’re thriving (so you can celebrate that!), and where you can bring more attention and intention. If you scan the list and see that certain dimensions aren’t all that optimal for you, set clear intentions and small daily goals to help you boost those areas of your life. Little by little, one day at a time, you’ll start cultivating more wellness and wellbeing. Who knew you could be a wellness warrior without needing to drink turmeric lattes or buy $200 stretchy pants?!