When I Learned About Meditation

When I first took my yoga teacher training, I was amazed to learn that most of yoga is about meditation.

WHAT?!

Lots of my students, including me, envision yoga as a list of poses or postures.

“Make this weird shape with your body.”

“Hold this position.”

“Breathe while you try this.”

“Transition from this pose to that pose.”

This is yoga, right?

But what does any of that have to do with meditation?

What is Meditation?

Meditation is the process of becoming fully conscious by gently quieting the monkey mind—that constant loop of thoughts, stories, worries, and commentary that runs in the background of our lives. Yoga philosophy teaches that this mental noise is not who we are. The voice in the head is not the Self.

Meditation is a path to master the mind. To quiet those crazy voices. To help hear truth.

In yoga teacher training, we learn from the Bhagavad Gita. It teaches us why meditation matters.

“For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, the mind will be the greatest enemy.”
— Bhagavad Gita 6.6

Understanding the mind is no easy task. First, we must quiet it down. Then, we can stop listening to it and listen, instead, to our hearts.

BUT HOW DO WE DO THAT?

What Was My Why?

Meditation is a practice, just like yoga. It takes time, patience and persistence. Committing yourself to this practice is no different from committing to anything else. You have to make a promise to yourself and realize that if you’re a beginner, it will be hard.

But the benefits are profound.

When students ask to begin a meditation journey, they feel ready to move beyond themselves. They are ready to learn how to master the mind and stop being a slave to it.

For me, this meant asking my mind to stop obsessing about myself and my life. I wanted to learn how to live more peacefully and less selfishly.

I just wanted to become a better person.

I wanted to stop worrying so much. I wanted to stop listening to the incessant worrier, living in my head like an annoying roommate.

How to Meditate

This practice can begin simply. Doing something with full awareness is the start. You can try any of these tasks for 5 minutes straight:

• Play soft music while sitting in a chair
• Sit and breathe, counting your breaths
• Wash your dishes in silence
• Fold your clothes

Seem a little too easy?

Good.

Start simple. Master doing any of these things for five minutes straight without having your mind wander. Don’t let it go anywhere but the task itself. If your mind starts to think about something (and, don’t worry, it will!) simply redirect. Bring your mind back to your breath.

Say the words, “inhale” and “exhale” to bring you back each time.

Are you ready? Give it a try! See what you learn with 5-minutes.

Namaste. Every. Day.

#meditate #breatheasy #meditationchallenge #peaceful #mindfulness