Struggling? Meditate.

Meditation is something I mentioned in response to our editor Jude’s questions that were part of my introductory feature last month. It is something I am aware has been gaining real traction in recent times, as business execs and celebrities praise the practical or spiritual benefits to the once traditionally eastern practice. However, there appears simultaneously to be a widespread lack of knowledge about what meditation really is and just how important its benefits and its meaning can be. I felt compelled to write more about it in the hope I may be able to reach anyone who might benefit from it and to offer a brief insight into what it really is.

I don’t really like the idea of preaching too much about something, it is difficult sometimes not to force something that I enjoy or cherish onto others. However, I have realised of late that meditation does not need to be forced upon anyone. Once you achieve a real understanding of what it is and experience the control and relief that it can offer to a busy and overactive mind, then it is very much likely that anyone (and I mean, literally, anyone) may find it becoming a key part of their daily routine.

It is not always easy, especially not in the beginning. Our minds are often caught in a whirlwind of stress, worry, social media, work, and constant dwelling on our pasts, or our futures. This means that when we try to ‘switch off’, its often not something that can be managed easily. However, this is wherein the beauty of meditation lies. You don’t need to stop thinking, you don’t even need to try. All you must do is sit or lie in a comfortable position, be present and ‘observe’. You observe your surroundings: the sights, sounds, smells and feelings that your senses pick up, using your breath as an anchor to the present moment. You observe your mind and your thoughts, without trying to change or judge anything that may arise. When your mind drifts into a chain of thought, don’t dismay, just gently nudge your attention back to the breath. Of course, this is a very rough description of what meditation is, but there are a huge variety of teachers and guided meditations available online.

In a country that often shares a philosophy of perseverance, sometimes it is difficult to fathom the idea of allowing ourselves time to stop and just be. Yet when we do, we allow our minds a break, the effects can be significant. We all face challenges in life, and meditation is not about getting rid of these. However, it is about helping to manage the difficulties we come across and training our minds to be able to cope with everything the world throws at us.

Often, there can be a reluctance to try something that can wrongfully become intertwined with religion. The truth is that meditation doesn’t have to be anything to do with religion. It can be, if you want it to, but first and foremost it is a healthy practice that anyone can do. It can be about spirituality (again, another word that often carries unnecessary connotations) and it has certainly helped me realise there is more to life than pursuing material gain. Meditation can provide a window to a new level of consciousness that allows for more control and composure in life.

I have been blabbering on like a salesman trying to sell to you why meditation is such a great tool because I really believe there are many of you out there that might be feeling the strain of entering a third lockdown. We are in a time that increasingly tests the mental resolve of all of us. Of course, first and foremost: always tell someone if you are really struggling. However (once again with the preaching), it doesn’t matter how stressed, how stubborn or how apprehensive you may be. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone to try meditation. It allows us to do something that we don’t always do, which is to switch off. Not the ‘sit down with a cuppa and watch the telly switch off’, no, REALLY switch off.

If meditation is something you think you might like to try, there are plenty of ways to get started. Personally, I like to use the app Insight Timer, which has a bit of something for people at every stage of their meditative journey. If you are still sceptical about what meditation can do, I would recommend reading American news anchor, Dan Harris’ 10% Happier, which provides a great biographical account of someone realising the potential of meditation. Finally, if you have any questions regarding meditation, I would be happy to answer them, just drop them in the comment section.

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Author: Jacob Moore