Are you having trouble focusing ? Do you lie in bed at night , thoughts running through your head at a seemingly unstoppable pace ? Do you wish there was something you could do to quiet your mind , bring you peace , and help you feel more connected to the world around you ?
You should consider meditation !
Meditation has been around for centuries , and is incorporated into almost every major religion as a calming , connecting , spiritual practice . Many people associate meditation with typically Eastern religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism , or with Christian monks sitting quietly for hours in monastery cells .
While meditation is certainly a part of those religions , you don ’ t need to be religious to practice it . Meditation , on its own , is the act of calming your body and leading your mind to a state of thoughtless awareness . The thoughts and stressors that are running rampant through your brain are neutralized , and yet you ’ re still alert and aware of the world around you .
A recent study in the United States concluded that daily meditation reduced stress , reduced pain , reduced healthcare costs , increased energy , and improved quality of life .
There are so many things in life that are out of our control . Because , most likely , you will never be able to completely rid yourself of external stress , you would benefit from learning to internally calm and control your reactions to stress .
Usually , we try to solve the problem of a “ mind gone wild ” by distracting ourselves . We turn on the TV , we grab dinner with friends , or we listen to music . We even check our emails and our text messages .
We ’ re generally desperate not to be left alone with our own minds because we often have no idea what to do with them ! Luckily , there are several types of mediation that can help you learn to quiet , comfort , control , and love your own mind .
We are going to focus on Mindful Meditation , which is a western , research-based form of meditation derived from a centuries-old Buddhist meditative practice . It is not religious , and aimed specifically at helping you develop the skills of focusing and calming your mind without losing alertness or awareness .
Ideally , mindfulness will help you become more aware of the world around you , and help you enjoy its pleasures . It can help you become more present in your everyday life , and less affected by stress and negativity .