MEDITATION, AN INTRODUCTION

The positive effects of mediation have been scientifically proven and extensively documented in recent years. If you’re here, you probably don’t need convincing of that. At any rate, meditation has a long history; some say it can be traced back to around 5000 BCE, and its ties to ancient Eastern cultures and religions, particularly Buddhism, are well known. Scientific research, combined with the rich lineage, provides a tempting footing for the uninitiated to want to jump in and get started.

If you’re new to practising mediation, consider how best to set yourself up for success and not the word: practise. Mediation is not divine intervention, a quick fix or a cure-all. It’s a skill that you can learn and, with practise become better at. As with all types of learning, consistent application is a good idea. At first it might be hard - hard to get it right, hard for it to feel perfect, hard to keep going and hard to stay focussed - noticing this is a key part of the mediation practise.

Meditation is a journey, not a destination. The journey, of course, is within. With-in the most confusing of places - the mind, where most of use hear a lot of noise. Observing this noise (your rambling thoughts) and letting it go is the idea of meditation. You don’t need to grapple with, understand or change your thoughts. Don’t set any huge goals, to switch this off or to switch this on. The purpose of mediation, if anything, is to foster a sense of loving kindness towards yourself. Acceptance, not judgement.

Meditation and mindfulness - the ability to live in the present moment, are incredible tools to have at your disposal, and proven strategies to improve mental health. Mediation can be done alone, with a partner or in a group setting.

Through the process of meditation. you will eventually be able to simply let yourself be, view others with a healthy perspective, and live mindfully - where you dwell in the present moment, not in the stories about the past or reams about the future. All we have is this moment now, and learning to understand and believe that is liberating.

If you ever get lost in your mediation journey, remember this: follow your breath, and you’ll find your way.