Yoga and meditation have become mainstream in recent years. Here in San Diego, yoga studios are pretty much everywhere. The concept of yoga has now become truly ingrained in the daily life of many Americans. So, what is it about these ancient practices that is so enticing that a national movement is moving ahead full steam. I think the draw is "restoration"and "rejuvenation" in one regard but also as an avenue to peace and a quieter state of mind.
While yoga combines bodywork and poses which promote strength in the body while calming and stabilizing the mind, meditation is a practice requiring pure focus into and with the mind. People generally find meditation to be challenging in the beginning as the "monkey mind" is particularly a challenge to face head-on as there are no distractions when just sitting in meditation.
Because it is not easy at the onset is not a reason to forsake it. The benefits are almost limitless. It has been associated with lower blood pressure, decreased disability from chronic pain, better sleep, increased well-being, improved psoriasis control, most recently less heart attacks and many other health benefits. Jon Kabat Zinn PhD started the trend in mindfulness meditation in the 1980's that has been taught primarily in health settings and has spawned a true movement in our country. While health improvement is not the primary goal, it is a powerful side effect.
The whole key to meditation is being able to sit with the racing mind. Humans innately have the monkey mind by nature but the intensity, craziness and frenetic pace of modern life make us prone to letting our minds become servants to our lives. Meditation is the way to take back our control of our minds and our lives.
I believe it is very important to go slow (as far as time goals) and be compassionate to yourself in the beginning. Racing minds have learned to race for a reason and are resistant to "harnessing" when one starts out. We teach our meditation technique (Center Point Rest) to be done in very short increments in the beginning so as to decrease the natural resistance to this very "counter-culture" exercise. Even practicing for 30 seconds to 1 minute (3 - 10 breaths) in the beginning periodically throughout the day is far more beneficial than 20 minute sessions that are filled with struggle and resistance. Meditation is not a competitive sport or effort-charged activity; it is compassion to oneself. There is no good or bad; no goal to be achieved; there is only learning a different way to be.
I tend to be "in my head" thinking and figuring a high per cent of the time. I find that when I take the time to nurture this other way to be, my thoughts are clearer and more creative. I get out of my ingrained, receptive thought patterns and enter new territory. We all need this; the old thoughts have come around enough. It is high time for something new and different.
While yoga combines bodywork and poses which promote strength in the body while calming and stabilizing the mind, meditation is a practice requiring pure focus into and with the mind. People generally find meditation to be challenging in the beginning as the "monkey mind" is particularly a challenge to face head-on as there are no distractions when just sitting in meditation.
Because it is not easy at the onset is not a reason to forsake it. The benefits are almost limitless. It has been associated with lower blood pressure, decreased disability from chronic pain, better sleep, increased well-being, improved psoriasis control, most recently less heart attacks and many other health benefits. Jon Kabat Zinn PhD started the trend in mindfulness meditation in the 1980's that has been taught primarily in health settings and has spawned a true movement in our country. While health improvement is not the primary goal, it is a powerful side effect.
The whole key to meditation is being able to sit with the racing mind. Humans innately have the monkey mind by nature but the intensity, craziness and frenetic pace of modern life make us prone to letting our minds become servants to our lives. Meditation is the way to take back our control of our minds and our lives.
I believe it is very important to go slow (as far as time goals) and be compassionate to yourself in the beginning. Racing minds have learned to race for a reason and are resistant to "harnessing" when one starts out. We teach our meditation technique (Center Point Rest) to be done in very short increments in the beginning so as to decrease the natural resistance to this very "counter-culture" exercise. Even practicing for 30 seconds to 1 minute (3 - 10 breaths) in the beginning periodically throughout the day is far more beneficial than 20 minute sessions that are filled with struggle and resistance. Meditation is not a competitive sport or effort-charged activity; it is compassion to oneself. There is no good or bad; no goal to be achieved; there is only learning a different way to be.
I tend to be "in my head" thinking and figuring a high per cent of the time. I find that when I take the time to nurture this other way to be, my thoughts are clearer and more creative. I get out of my ingrained, receptive thought patterns and enter new territory. We all need this; the old thoughts have come around enough. It is high time for something new and different.
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