New(ish) to Meditation?
Meditation is a Practice.
Meditation is both a journey, and a destination. It is a space created with intention to safely observe our thought patterns, our body language, the nature of our being. It is an ongoing practice of releasing shame and judgement as we see and learn the ways of our inner world. A practice of implementing more compassion as we find the spaces that may lack it. Meditation is Your Space to be with Self.
It’s easy to believe meditation is a perfect moment of silence, of peace, of calm, of stillness. And it truly Can Be; but I believe this Idea of a Perfect practice can push some of us far away from even the first step of attempt.
The truth is, meditation takes on many forms. Have you ever found yourself doing the dishes, taking a drive, or doodling on a piece of paper and start to notice a flow of thought? A closer sense of self? Maybe you hear your inner voice more clearly, louder or more defined? This can be called a Moving Meditation. An activity that allows for your brain to Just Be. As it is. And that in itself is the magic that we so dearly have the power to hold. The magic of Space for Self. No rules, no expectation, no shifting to a different thought or idea. Just allowing the mind to exist the way it is, so we can then accurately receive new information about ourselves, if we choose. This is the first step.
We can practice creating this space in baby steps. We can start by setting a 1-minute timer every morning for one week to just notice our breath, or to notice the places tension might be sitting in the body. We can baby step toward this space by creating an inner dialogue with self; let’s say you hear a thought in your mind that says “I never have the time to meditate”, try responding to self with a question like “what makes this statement true?”, or “what am I spending my time on instead?”, or “where might I feel this resistance coming from?” guiding yourself closer to curiosity rather than criticism. Keeping in mind there is never a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer. You might not even have an answer in that moment… that’s okay, too.
Where you are today is the perfect place to begin practicing Being.
I can (and will, in further projects) go on in such depths on each theme I have mentioned; for now, I will offer some of my favorite guided meditations that helped me to begin baby-stepping closer to my Self. I still use these meditations today, in times I need the gently-crafted reminders.
This first meditation is 4 minutes, lead by the lovely Tara Brach as she helps us soften our body and mind in what she names a Sacred Pause. Click below to enjoy.
Sacred Pause
This next meditation is closer to 5 minutes, focusing on grounding our being and allowing the earth to take what is not needed in our space in this moment. Click below to enjoy.
Grounding Meditation
You are Worthy of sharing Space with your Self.
You are Capable of showing your Self Compassion.
I believe in You.
All my Love,
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