I Can’t Do Meditation!

So many people that I get speaking to think that meditation is difficult. They think they can’t meditate, or can’t ‘switch off’.

It seems that meditation has been made into a bit of an enigma or something special that you can only do if you’re an enlightened or highly spiritual being. That’s simply not true.

Have you ever had a moment of inspiration when you least expect it? Perhaps while you were doing the washing up, in the shower, (on the loo!), driving the car, or reading a book? That’s because you had entered in to a meditative state, quite without realising it.

Meditation is finally becoming more mainstream and used by people from all works of life, but still some of these myths persist. It is actually a simple tool that will help you to relax your body and clear your mind. It’s also great to help you with a boost of energy or perhaps some much needed perspective if you have a busy lifestyle

And in fact, meditation is so simple!

Meditation is basically anything that allows you to switch away from your conscious, analytical, everyday, awareness. It slows your brainwaves down and allows you to really relax and re-connect with the subconscious, intuitive part of your brain. That is why you get moments of inspiration.

Meditation doesn’t have to be you sat cross-legged, dresses in white, chanting ‘ohm’. It can be if you like. Tai chi or yoga is a form of meditation, even vacuuming the house or mowing the lawn could be meditative for you. Anyone with a brain, is capable of entering in to a meditative state. It’s what we do when we fall asleep.

Here’s a simple meditation for you to practise.

(Give yourself 5 or 10 minutes of uninterrupted time.)

Sit comfortably and close your eyes.

Take a deep breath in (preferably through your nose)

And slowly breathe out (again through your nose if you can)

Continue to breathe but counting with the breath:

In – 2 – 3 – 4

Hold

Out – 2 – 3 – 4

Hold and repeat for 5 – 10 minutes.

If at any time your mind wanders, starting counting your breath again.

Sitting quietly, focussing on your breathing like this, or listening to a meditation CD or guided visualisation will all help, and will all give you the benefits that meditation brings. (What are the benefits of meditation? There’s another post on that here.)

One more thing: Don’t worry if you do a guided visualisation and struggle to ‘see’ what it is you’re being told to see, I couldn’t visualise at all when I first started to do meditation but with practice I got better at it.

What are your thoughts or questions? Let me know below