Meditation

Meditation is an approach to training the mind, similar to the way that fitness is an approach to training the body. 

What is meditation?

Meditation isn’t about becoming a different person, a new person, or even a better person. It’s about training in awareness and getting a healthy sense of perspective. You’re not trying to turn off your thoughts or feelings. You’re learning to observe them without judgment. And eventually, you may start to better understand them as well.

There’s no such thing as perfect meditation. Sometimes your focus will wander or you’ll forget to follow your breath. That’s OK. It’s part of the experience. What’s most important is to meditate consistently. It’s one of those things where the journey is more important than the destination.

It’s extremely difficult for a beginner to sit for hours and think of nothing or have an “empty mind.”….I think thats hard for anyone to be honest

If relaxation is not the goal of meditation, it is often a result.

In Buddhist philosophy, the ultimate benefit of meditation is liberation of the mind from attachment to things it cannot control, such as external circumstances or strong internal emotions. The liberated or “enlightened” practitioner no longer needlessly follows desires or clings to experiences, but instead maintains a calm mind and sense of inner harmony.

HOW TO MEDITATE: SIMPLE MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

This meditation exercise is an excellent introduction to meditation techniques.

1. Sit or lie comfortably on a Chair or Cushion
2. Close your eyes. 
3. Make no effort to control the breath; simply breathe naturally.
4. Focus your attention on the breath and on how the body moves with each inhalation and exhalation. Notice the movement of your body as you breathe. Observe your chest, shoulders, rib cage, and belly. Simply focus your attention on your breath without controlling its pace or intensity. If your mind wanders, return your focus back to your breath.
5. Dont worry if thoughts come and go – as they will…allow them to but always come back to the breath and dont try and control your thoughts.

Even just 5 mins a day is a great starting point, if like me you find sitting there in silence just listening  to your own breath and  trying not to focus on the “thoughts”…why not try guided meditation….using an app

I use “Insight Timer” its a FREE App and has tons of free guided and silent meditations, just search one you are looking for.

I like to do my meditation 1st thing in the morning before I do anything and sometimes even last thing at night before sleep, I know the days when I need a double dose, but other days the morning one serves me well.

Its totally changed my outlook on life, the way my days start and how I react to situations and things in my life…it wasn’t easy to begin with I will admit it, trying to keep still and focused on well…nothing for 5 mins but now I am up to 20mins and I feel great.

The key is DONT try and block out thoughts, thats not the point, let them come….and they will eventually get quieter as you focus inwards and on the breath.