Meditation Monday: Starting Out and a Smoothie Recipe

Current affirmation: I’m clear on what I want and I take action now.

Meditation. How I love thee. We have an imperfect perfect relationship because that’s how meditation works.

Meditation is a practice in which an individual trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or as an end in itself.

The term meditation refers to a broad variety of practices (much like the term sports) that includes techniques designed to promote relaxation, build internal energy or life force (qi, ki, prana, etc.) and develop compassion, love, patience, generosity and forgiveness. A particularly ambitious form of meditation aims at effortlessly sustained single-pointed concentration single-pointed analysis, meant to enable its practitioner to enjoy an indestructible sense of well-being while engaging in any life activity.

Thank you Wikipedia.

I’ve dabbled in meditation but don’t have a set practice…yet.

But just like I committed to veganism last November, I decided last week I would commit to a meditation practice.

Associating commit with a desired goal is like magic. All of a sudden that task or goal you may have been dreading seems like a winged unicorn that poops smiling hearts and you just want to follow it through all the majestic lands it will travel.

That’s exactly what it is like.

And so I’ve begun following that unicorn around.

How to Start

Choose an affirmation—a phrase that inspires reflection—see above.

Then grab a pillow or folded blanket (yoga mat would work too) and sit cross-legged—if this seems uncomfortable sit tall in a chair—and close your eyes. Take a deep breath, one that goes into your belly and then exhale breathing all the way out. Slowly let your mind empty, accept a thought when it comes and then let it go. If you’re using an affirmation, say it out loud or to yourself. Continue breath work and emptying the mind. Continue for a few minutes or as long as you want.

There is no right or wrong way, there is only trying.

I always get the best ideas when meditating, in the shower, or even while sleeping. The hard part is remembering that idea until you have pen and paper or fingers and keys.

So, while meditating I have a small notebook and a pen near me. If an idea comes that I want to keep, I pause, write it down and move on. It might seem counterintuitive to interrupt meditation to jot down an idea, but doing this will allow you to resume meditation saving future time for exploring said creative morsel.

It works.

Most of the time meditating is about bringing quiet to your mind while focusing on breathing. There are some days where you won’t write anything down or think about anything but focusing on your breath.