I think that because our world is so stimulating these days that it is hard to just sit and do nothing. But being uncomfortable can lead to our greatest growth and especially with so many stressors it is important to unwind and really gain mental clarity in our lives. This is where mediation comes in. The mental focus and self-discipline gained from meditation is really valuable, which is why in this blog, I will talk about the best strategies and methods to meditate and achieve a monk mindset.
Table of Contents
What is meditation?
Meditation is the practice of focusing your brain on a certain space, object or idea in order to train focus and attention. It will balance your emotional state and keep your mind clear and clutter-free. When I think of meditation, I usually imagine someone sitting with their legs crossed and making the ok hand symbol (which are actually called mudras) and closing their eyes. This is not how meditation always is though, and it can be done in a variety of different ways, but more on that when I explain how to meditate
Why is it important?
As I mentioned in the definition, meditation can help mental clarity. I think that this is important because we are so distracted in our lives from social media, to the news, to our friends who might be talking about the most recent meme or some other viral event. This is why I think that the clear head and clarity that meditation gives you is so valuable, as you can see through the noise and focus on what you find important and valuable in your life.
Meditation can also help with anxiety. Like I mentioned in the definition, meditation can help calm the mind and balance emotions. For example, if you are anxious about a test result, meditating might help calm your nerves and relax your mind, making you less anxious and better able to deal with stress.
I think that meditation is a useful tool and if it is done well, it gives your mind the much-needed boost it needs to tackle all the challenges you may face in your life. I think it also follows the theme of Impromental.com as it literally improves your mind and can help you improve your self.
Methods to Practice Meditation
While there is no “right” way to meditate, I will suggest a couple exercises that are helpful to get into a meditative state
Find a Quiet Place
First, you need to find a quiet place. This is somewhere that you can be alone and one with your thoughts. A good place would be your room or maybe a secluded part of your house because meditation does require quiet and preferably an area where not too many people are moving around.
Timing
A first it will be difficult to meditate for, say an hour, as your mind will not have that kind of focus to do that for so long. This is why I recommend that you start out meditating for short periods of time. Try meditating for 5 minutes at first and as you get better, you will be able to meditate for longer and longer periods of time.
Positioning
You can meditate sitting in a chair or even cross-legged on the ground. It is important that this position is not uncomfortable and that you will be able to be still for possibly an extended amount of time.
Breath
Focusing on the inhale and exhale of air is a key part of meditation. Try to feel the air going into your lungs and the movement of the air as you exhale.
Distraction
When meditating, your mind will likely drift from the meditation. You might think about anything, as your brain does not like to be bored. When you notice this, try to focus your attention back to your breath.
End
When you end your meditation session, try to gently open your eyes and observe the environment around you. Also, notice how your body feels in this moment. Do you feel relaxed? Calm? Also notice how your mind feels. Do you feel at peace? What are the thoughts going around in your head?
Popular Techniques
Body Scan
The body scan is a meditation technique that is different from the standard breathing one. It involves feeling sensations in all parts of your body, starting from the head and ending at the toes. First, you will try to feel the sensations in your head. Pay attention to the surface of your skin. Then try to notice if you can feel other parts of your face, your ears, eyelids and nose. Continue in this way, trying to feel each part of your body as you move down to your feet. Focus on each part individually and do this as slowly as you need to. Then eventually work your way down toward your feet.
This practice might be weird at first, and you might not feel anything, but overtime you will start to notice the difference in sensation between different parts of your body. And as with meditation, if your mind wanders, you just need to redirect your attention back to your meditation.
Walking Meditation
If you sometimes feel like your life is already too sedentary, try walking meditation. Walk at a natural pace and keep your hands where they are most comfortable. Try counting your steps up to ten and then start at one again. When you step, pay attention to the rise and fall of each foot. Try to feel the movement and feeling of other parts of your body as you do this. Notice if your body shifts from side to side.
As you are walking, you might feel that your mind wander, especially if interesting things are happening outside. This is when you need to call your mind back into the sensation of steps. It does not matter how many times this happens, as long as you call your mind back into the rhythm. Also, when walking, you should try to be aware of the environment in order to be safe and avoid any dangers.
Conclusion
I feel like meditation is something that may seem kind of silly at first, but eventually you will realize that the focus and mental clarity that meditation can give you is valuable. I think that this is something that could really help people calm down, especially if they are in a stressful environment. I hope this guide to meditation was helpful, and you too can incorporate it into your life. Thank you for reading Impromental.com and stay tuned in for the next one.