Germ U short courses are learning experiences that will enrich your life on even the busiest of days. They take under fifteen minutes, but are worth a lifetime of thought. This week Germ U’s Christine Wolf gives us a short course on meditation from uhm to ohm:
Okay, so we’ve all heard about meditation by now. It’s everywhere, and it’s not just for monks anymore. Celebrities are doing it on the cover of magazines, moms are doing it at yoga studios, grandmas are doing it in their living rooms, and you are about to start. Seriously? Oh, yeah, and let me tell you why. Sometimes you have to slow down to catch up.
Let’s start at the beginning. Meditation has been around for thousands of years for a reason, and the health benefits have been well-documented. Reducing stress in our daily lives may just be the ultimate key to overall wellness and longevity. Meditation helps you to slow down in a wired, fast-paced world so that you can catch up to yourself. What’s going on in there exactly? In your head, I mean. Do you even know? Even if you are extraordinarily grounded, we all lose touch with ourselves sometimes.
Let’s start with a beginner’s mind. This is your mind open and flexible without judgment and negative self-talk, such as murmuring sour nothings like, “I can’t meditate.” I am here to assure you: Oh, YES, you can. This isn’t your guru’s meditation. This is YOUR meditation.
Myth #1: Meditation is being bored and sitting cross-legged.
If you imagine meditation as nothing more than being bored, sitting cross-legged on a too small pillow with your legs falling asleep and your mind wandering over and over again to Friday night, think again! There is more than one way to meditate. You can choose what style works best for you.
Myth #2: I have to be seated and quiet in order to meditate.
Not really. “What?” you say incredulously. “Of course I have to sit with my eyes closed in absolute silence.” Nah. For those of us who don’t do well sitting still, I recommend a “moving meditation.” An intentional walk, a stroll around a labyrinth, even a bike ride in a beautiful, natural setting can be a meditation. Allow yourself to become one with your surroundings as you move through them. There’s no need to shut out life’s soundtrack. Instead, think of your being as absorbing the sound and merging more fully with the world in which you live. This is another way to be present with yourself. Say hi to the inner you while looking at the fall colors. Your mind will slow down while your body does the moving.
Myth #3: I have to say OMMMMM, repeat, repeat, repeat.
Wrong again! A “focused meditation” doesn’t have to be forced or generic. You can customize what us yogis like to call our “intention.” Focus on an idea, phrase, or even an image or a person, and hold that in your mind while you meditate, whether you are moving or not. Sometimes a word that represents what’s going on in your life right now is a good way to go. For example, if you’ve been sick, focusing on an image of a healthy you or concentrating on the concept of “healing” might just be the “mantra” you need to quiet your inner chatterbox.
Myth #4: Meditation is weird and in conflict with my religious beliefs.
Nope. Meditation is a kind of prayer. If you are comfortable with prayer as a spiritual practice, that’s perfect. Prayer and meditation are on the same team. You get quiet, you go inward, you slow down and take a time out. Whether you are more prayer-oriented or meditation-oriented, it’s all good.
Myth #5: Meditation is just downright uncomfortable.
Is sitting on the floor unappealing? Guess what, you don’t have to. Sit in a chair or lay down on the sofa. Get comfotable. This is the key to success. If your mind is constantly wandering to your tingling toes and sore back, you won’t get too far with your inner journey.
Myth #6: I can only stay focused for 2 minutes no matter what I do, so I’m doing it wrong.
Not so! I can usually only stay focused for a few minutes myself. I learned over time that it isn’t wrong; it’s just where I am at this time in my experiments with meditation. It’s OK. Two minutes is better than no minutes. With time and practice, we get better at everything, meditation included. Be gentle with yourself and try, try again. Try different spaces and places, styles, and times of day. Stay with it, and one of these times it will feel right. We are all starting at the beginning with our beginner’s mind. Begin today.
Myth #7: Meditation is for loners.
Meditation can actually be done in a group. If you feel more comfortable being with people, do a Google search about meditation in your community and see what comes up. There are even people who teach this stuff. Pretty cool, huh?
For a place to start your meditation adventure check out the Headspace app. Namaste.