One of the single most important habits to cultivate for your health & wellbeing is “Meditation”.
Meditation has been used for thousands of years to quieten the mind and to connect to one’s self awareness in the present moment.
Health benefits on a physical, emotional, mental & spiritual level contributed to meditation are:
- Sense of inner peace
- Stellar focus
- Clear thinking
- Increased Awareness
- Connection to an energy higher than oneself/ to source/the universe/God
- Stress Reduction
- Decreased blood pressure & hypertension
- Restful sleep
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Improvements in brain function
- Increase in the production of DHEA (anti-aging hormone)
The greatest, most successful people of our time all have one thing in common, they believe in the healing powers of meditation. People like Oprah, Deepak Chopra, Nelson Mandela, Ray Dalio, Ellen DeGeneres, Arianna Huffington, Jeff Weiner and Steve Jobs credit meditation, as a source of their success.
In a post on meditation, influential companies even introduced meditation as part of their wellness programs for employees: “A number of Fortune 500 companies, including Google, AOL and Apple, offer meditation and mindfulness classes for employees.” (Huffington Post, 2013)
The technique to meditate is simple and fun to learn! It can be as easy as:
– Focusing on the breath
– Silently repeating a mantra
– Listening to beautiful music
– Visualizing a beautiful light or peaceful place
A common misconception about meditation is that it is a religious practice only practiced by holy people or esoteric gurus. This is not true. Meditation can be practiced by anyone, regardless of your age, race, religious or cultural background.
Another misunderstanding is that one needs to quieten one’s mind in order to meditate and actively stop thinking in order to reach the desired meditative state. This will sort of drive you crazy…
Whilst we can’t stop our thoughts or the internal dialogue that goes on inside our minds, we can decide how much attention to give these thoughts. To disassociate from your thoughts and becoming aware of the stories that you tell yourself i.e. your ego, is the first step in reaching self-awareness.
The purpose of meditation is to get in touch with yourself. That part of yourself that is limitless, free and filled with eternal love. Nothing is a source of greater joy than to connect to a part of yourself that is free from all fear and lovingly accepts you as you are – perfect in every way!
That sense of inner peace and compassion for ourselves and the people we encounter in our lives is what carries us through the day after the meditation and is the true benefit of a successful meditation session.
Just a few minutes each day allow you to reap the benefits of meditation. That is all it takes. The more time your dedicate to this, the happier and more peaceful you’ll feel. Over time, this beautiful habit will become your own unique way to connect to yourself and your dreams and desires. Life will become enjoyable and you’ll be able to manage any challenges that you encounter in your life.
Meditation Guide
- Find a quiet space to meditate, free of distractions.
- Turn off all devices and put your phone on silent.
- Set the scene – light a candle or play beautiful music
- Get comfortable – either lie down or adopt a comfy sitting position, with your palms facing up
- Close your eyes – (this limits you from being distracted)
- Realize that whilst your mind will try and wonder, this is only natural and will fade with time
- Focus on your breath and let your expectations go
- Meditate for as long as you wish – there is no set time frame
- When you’re ready to come out of your meditation, set your intention to carry this stillness and peace of mind into your day/evening
- Practice meditation a few times a week, if not daily – make it part of your daily routine like brushing your teeth or making your favorite cup of tea
Enjoyed reading this article? then share it with family and friends and tell us how meditation has changed you in the comments below.
Yours in health & wellness,
Dunja
Outfit Namibia 