I am a thinker. I am comfortable in my mind. I love to analyze. I love to know. I love to question. I love my inquisitive nature and all that I have learned about the world that I live in because of it.
But what if all of this knowing and thinking becomes a distraction? What if “knowing” how to fix a problem never gets you to the solution?
This is what has happened to me.
I love reading books on spirituality. One common theme in these books is the power of stillness, slowing down, and getting in touch with your higher self. So, throughout my life, I have taken note of this (in my mind), written books about being more still (see our Soulful Journals series), written a blog about being more still (this one, in fact!), talked about being more still with my loved ones…but haven’t spent much time actually getting into my body, slowing down, meditating, and simply clearing space to breathe.
I remember many years ago I was talking with someone who said that I needed to just be. I had no idea what she meant by this – what did this mean: just be? Just be what?
Now I see.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a thinker. We all have such amazing minds that help us live extraordinary lives. But our minds are just the beginning of our lives.
Once we know what we know, we must take action and start doing. Only then can we transcend into simply being.
So what if I begin this transcendence right now? What if I set my timer and sit still for five minutes? I would actually be doing AND being at the same time! Okay – here I go…
My Meditation Experience
It kicks off the time with a chime, and away I go. I’m completely on my own now. My eyes are closed, and I am still. It’s really happening!
I begin to hear things that I don’t normally notice: my cat taking a bath behind me, cars driving by, the hum of the computer, my chair creaking as I shift to get comfortable, the email alert (oops – forgot to turn that off)…
I struggle to keep my eyes closed. I want to know how much time I have left. I want to prove to myself that I can do this, though, so I squeeze them even tighter.
I notice how my mind is racing – thinking about writing this post. I know what I want to say, and I am a bit concerned that I will forget it before the time is up.
I start to nod off – the lack of sleep last night is to blame for this one.
And then I hear the chime again and open my eyes.
I would love to say that during this experience of being still the thoughts stopped and I saw the light and everything was magical… but that’s not what happened.
But I did it. I sat still. I closed my eyes and stayed with my thoughts and body for five full minutes. There was no judgment – no call to action – only observance and stillness.
This is a practice that I have dabbled with for many years and never stuck to. It always seemed like a waste of time. I felt that I could be “doing” something instead of just sitting there.
I’m going to take a leap of faith that there is something to this meditation thing – I’m going to believe that my life will change if I take part in it – make time for it.
My mind thinks that this is a good idea, and my body and spirit are in agreement.
I would love to hear your experiences with meditation – Do you practice it regularly? If so, how has it changed your life? Or are you more like me where you have resisted it? Would you like to give it another try?
Hi Jodi,
I take time out to meditate and like to read spiritual books. Every morning I read the Daily Word for the day and say affirmations. Like you at times a lot seems to be racing through my mind. I find that meditation helps especially when I am feeling low in spirit. Very good post. Take care and all the best to you.
Judy
Hi Judy,
I love that you have a morning routine where you check in with yourself and the universe before going about your day. I think that’s such a great time to do it and have it set the tone for the entire day. Have a beautiful weekend!
Note: I started to leave a comment and then I sneezed… I don’t know what happened to my comment. I would like to meditate just to see if there is something to it. I can sit quietly (really, I can sit and not talk for 5 or 10 minutes) but my brain is always racing – until I go to sleep. I’ve heard people say it refreshes them, I’ve heard others talk about feeling closer to God through meditation. So, I’m curious.
Yes, I have definitely heard all of these things, too. And doesn’t that sound amazing? That’s why I want to give it a try – try to slow down for a bit and get in touch with my soul in a way that bypasses my mind completely. I would definitely love to hear your experiences with it if you do give it a try!
Meditation is one of those things I really WANT to do, but just can’t seem to make myself do…I am anxious to hear about your experiences. I always read about other people and how it calms and centers them…I just can’t seem to get past the feeling ” antsy”…
Thank you for your posts. I’ve only recently discovered your blog, but I love it.
Jan
Hi Jan,
I’m right there with you – feeling anxious about meditating but also wanting to begin at the same time. I’ve put it off for years and am finally going to try it out and see if it sticks (or makes a difference at all). Should we try it together? We could help each other along! 🙂
Thanks for your kind words about my blog – that means the world to me.
About 3 years ago I began on my “meditation journey”, which is in constant flux, and I now meditate regularly and find it helps me immensely. Meditation is something that had always fasinated me, although I am a very hyper person so sitting in stillness is contrary to my basis state of being and I had no faith that I could do it. But the 40’s came and with them a desire to grow/change/evolve so I started with Wayne Dyers (have always loved his easy to listen and read motivational books and CDs) Change your Thoughts meditation CD, this is based on words of wisdom from the Tao Te Ching or the Great Way, which worked well for me as it is a guided med. that uses mantra repetition. I also listened and then read Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfullness for beginners, another excellent source. Then I found the best ever (in my opinion) beginners book, Victor Davich’s 8 minute mediation, excellent program to follow, as it only requires 8 min.’s a day for 8 weeks, and each week he presents a different technique, so that at the end you can choose the one that best suits you and work on getting up to 20 mins a day. I then took some courses through the Art of Living Organization, that offered both breathing techniques and then mediation, which brought my to the point where I felt like my practice was quite solid, in fact ready for a retreat:) AND SO… I embarked on my most recent med. expereince, a 10 day Noble silence retreat based on the buddhist technique of Vippasana meditation, it was amazing in every way, and has brought me to a place I never thought I would be, sitting with myself in silent introspection, for 1-2 hours a day. So I offer this, start by exploring the wealth of information that is available today, books , CD’s videos, local group, international groups, it is truly amazing the wealth of knowledge out there. Don’t be hard on yourself, your thoughts’ will NEVER turn off, that is not the intention, detachment is. For the time you sit, know that the thoughts will come, observe them but let them go, and if you do find yourself dwelling on them be KIND to yourself and start over. Peace.
Hi Lizzy,
Thank you so much for your beautiful comments – I so appreciate all of your amazing suggestions and your sharing your experience with meditation here. I’m definitely going to check out Victor Davich’s program – that sounds so interesting to me to find the practice that resonates the most. And what you wrote about detaching from the thoughts rather than trying to eliminate them was so helpful – thank you! I am so appreciative of you!
Jodi, I just stumbled upon this 2 minute video on Stumble Upon (funnily enough!!) and think you might like it! Let me know, I thought it quite cool especially as I grew up by the beach…………http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1uiQyb/www.donothingfor2minutes.com/
Rx
Thank you so much for this video, Rebecca! It’s just perfect for me. I actually needed to restart it 3 times because I was either moving my mouse or turning up the sound – such an eye opener to give myself the space to be still. Hugs to you!