Stress and meditation: techniques and encouragement

Meditation has become popular in recent years, as more and more people seek a way to break free from the stress of living in our fragmented and frenzied world. Unfortunately, many people don’t consider the barriers modern society presents to meditation. Even seasoned meditation practitioners can lose focus in the speed-crazed, mindset of modern life. Meditation teaches a strong sense of self awareness and a healthy mind-body connection.

Today’s world is addicted to activity, and the more the better. Multi-tasking is considered not just a handy thing, but an essential thing. Stress is created when the mind is not doing what the physical body is. If you are doing bills and your mind is wandering from work problems to painting the back bedroom, the creation of stress is inevitable. However, if your mind is focused on a single task, stress is relieved. This is what meditation is all about!

Most meditation techniques assume the mind-body connection is a given. This is fine if you are a monk in a mountain monastery, but can be difficult to achieve in everyday life. A readily understandable and easy way into that mind-body connection is needed.

Using some technique to transition you from the modern world into meditation should help. Experiment with sounds, sight and situations that soothe you, and enhance your focus.

Take the time to pick up a stone and examine it closely, as if you were an alien from another planet seeing a stone for the first time. Listen to a sound, a bird or children playing with the same intense focus. Something many people who meditate do is to focus on your breath. Notice how it feels as you draw air into your nostrils and then down into your lungs. Pay close attention in this single sensation.

Once you’ve disconnected somewhat from the world around you, you can allow your mind to settle and the quiet deepen in your meditation time. A more centered, aware state of being will allow you to delve deeper into your inner self. Your mind’s eye may bring surprises to you about who and what you are.

Meditation has long been understood as a way to relive stress. Now, many fortune 500 companies include meditation trainings as a way for their top executives to stay focused, and increase their creativeness.

You don’t have to shave your head or wear long robes to benefit from meditation. Imagine yourself being given an invitation to a stress relieving retreat just for you any time you want. Start a meditation practice today!

Here’s to you!

Steve

P.S.  For more on mediation, check out my meditation page.