Meditation has become a stabilising pillar in the lives of so many individuals, especially those seeking to create and maintain a state of peak performance, and that is because it has been proven to work in all areas of life.
And, I am not just talking about benefiting your performance in business, or your levels of sports performance but it also offers massive benefits in both social and spiritual ways too.
Just as laughter is medicine, mediation is even a better medicine to the body and soul, and those that practice meditation on a daily basis can testify to that fact.
It just takes practice like anything that is new. It took you more than one try to learn to walk when you were a baby right? The same when you tried to ride your first bike and when you tried to swim for the first time?…
Of course, and so it is exactly the same with meditation.
But practice you must, because it takes mastery to get the very best from meditation, but I can tell you that the results are worth the effort it takes to gain that mastery, of that there is no doubt.
The first key to mastering meditation is to commit to consistency in your meditation.
The body works with patterns and rhythms, and this is no exception.
No wonder you are advised to have specific meal times so that your metabolic system can adjust, specific sleeping time and duration so that your sleep cycle will adjust and so it works in just the same way with many other patterns every day…
And so it goes, that In the same way, the body adjusts itself to the pattern of meditation you have.
Therefore, if you meditate at the specific times you have set, the body responds more and less resistance is experienced. In fact, the body switches itself to meditation mode when the specific time comes. Therefore, you get more out of your meditation times.
When it is time for meditation, ensure that there are no distractions around you. You should ensure that you are totally secluded from every other thing that can take your attention even for a split second. You are the one who knows what your routine is like, and you know the time of the day or night when meditation can be possible with the optimum quietness and peace.
Also, the place in which you do your meditation matters. You should do it in a room which is darkened a little (do not do meditation in a very bright room or a very dark room).
Also, it should be a room that is conducive to meditation. Make it very comfortable when you want to meditate by clearing all stuff (for instance if it is in your bedroom) and even make it better by lighting scented candles.
Use meditation music for that soothing effect. Also, do not make meditation hard by doing it at times when you are tired and sworn out; make it a tradition for you to first take a nice, long, hot bath or do it when you have woke up in the early morning.
To start with just focus on your breath coming in and going out, try to remain perfectly still for at least 5 minutes and if you are aware of thoughts coming, just acknowledge them and let them go, without judgment or focus. The key is to still your mind as much as possible and turn down the volume on the incessant, internal chatter going on, and pay it no heed.
You may find it easier to play some classical music in the background or sounds of nature such as waterfalls etc.
And you even try a guided meditation, whatever works for you.
What’s important is that you start and stick with it long enough to start seeing positive benefits, and when this happens, you’ll never stop.
Oh, here’s a short video I created a little while ago that may help you too…
Give it a try and let me know how you get on!
Warmest
– Robert