Does it seem that everyone you know talks about meditation? Most of the people you have seen practising meditation seem to be more aware, more conscious, and calmer in general. You get curious and then try it out, but your mind won't stop wandering. You will think of all the daily activities that could be done as you sit here. Is this more important than going out there and working so that you can get your daily bread? Then you leave meditation to those who have free time and call it a ‘fad’. 

Meditation then seems to be the longest-lasting ‘fad’, as it can be traced back to 1500 BCE, even 300 BCE, originating in India. This ‘fad’ then gathered followers all around the world who tuned the art to suit their culture, never changing what's at its core. It is the practice of focussing and clearing one's mind of thoughts using mental and physical techniques. So what is so special about meditation? This blog will look further into this question and how to inculcate it into your daily life.  

Benefits of Meditation

A major reason for the practice of meditation standing the test of time is due to its mental and physical benefits which have been talked about in historical texts like the Vedas and are now beginning to be backed by science as well. 

Some of the widely known benefits of meditation are that it makes one aware of their surroundings and themselves; they become more conscious of how they feel and are more heedful and careful about how they perceive and react to things. In a narrative review carried out by Pascoe and his colleagues, they included 24 meta-analyses, or systematic reviews, regarding the impact meditation has on psychological processes, neurobiological processes, and the autonomic nervous system. Through all these studies, they found that:

Implementing Meditation into Our Daily Lives

These benefits are widely known and backed up yet it seems so tough to inculcate such a beneficial habit in our daily routine. Most of the time this is because when we set our meditation goals we aim for something so big that just sitting down to do it becomes a daunting task. You have to break out of the traditional approach. People meditate to centre themself. You can start by doing something as simple as typing slowly, mindfully, and being deliberate about every key you press. Maybe you can look at every word as a thought, and as you type it out you let it go. Every day and in everything you do there is an opportunity to create a ritual, a more mindful space that helps you. 

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Types of Meditation

Some people do not like to sit down and meditate and want an activity when they indulge in this practice. For such people, they can try walking meditation, where you find a path to walk on and are very deliberate about taking every step, raising your foot, and keeping your foot forward. 

You can also try using Zen Koans. Koans translate to public records or cases; they are bewildering and ambiguous thought experiments used by Korean monks to help them meditate. These koans helped the monks accept ambiguity and paradox and helped them practice what they believed. Why do we need an explanation for everything? With koans, you get the benefit of not only meditating but also giving the brain a big mental workout. Here is an example of a zen koan illustrating the practice of no attachment: 

Two monks, Tanzan and Ekido, are travelling together down a muddy road; ahead, they see an attractive traveller having trouble causing a muddy road. Tanzan politely offers his help, carries the traveller on his back across the street, and places her down without saying a word. Ekido was shocked; according to monastic law, monks were not allowed to go near women, let alone touch a beautiful stranger. After miles of walking, Ekido could no longer restrain himself. “How could you carry that woman?” Tanzan smiled. “I left the traveller there; are you still carrying her?”.

Like all koans this story has numerous interpretations. 

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While consistency is key do not let it become a burden on yourself. Whenever you remember that you have to meditate just become more mindful about the task at hand in that moment, slowly it will become a habit and you will feel weird on days when you do not meditate than on the days you do. If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, don't hesitate to seek help. Reach out to a mental health professional at Heart It Out for support and guidance. Taking the first step towards better mental health can make all the difference. Contact Heart It Out today and start your journey toward well-being.