The Real Benefits of Meditation

Often people associate meditation with religious practise or think that they have to practise it daily for years before they gain any benefit. But this isn’t the case – my own personal experience started at 18 (over 20 years ago) and despite my reservations then, I know on reflection that it kept me sane during some of the most stressful times of my life.

I was introduced to it by my family who thought that it would help this ‘unruly teenager’ (me) calm down. Whilst I didn’t quite ‘get it’ then, something kept drawing me back to it and like waves of the sea rolling over a rock, it wore away my resistance and gradually helped me let go of thoughts and feelings that were destructive – helping me to see life from a different perspective.

People are often looking for a quick fix to make the years of self abuse (eg mean your thoughts and feelings) go away overnight. Certainly your initial approach to meditation may give you some relief. The sense of relaxation you can feel can lead you to think “this is easy” as your muscles seem to unwind the tension they are storing. Some are so relaxed that they often think they are sleeping – which is difficult to do in the chairs I use and unless I hear snoring/deep breathing – it’s not likely!

You might even be pleasantly surprised how your mind seems to ‘behave’ and how you can let go of thoughts and feelings that trouble you.

These initial effects are important like a baby learning to walk , they have a sense of elation that they can move from one place to another, gaining confidence with each step.

Opportunity to Change

However the beauty of meditation is realising that it offers you so much more. With regular (weekly at least) practise, meditation can be like lying in a warm bath, looking into a multifaceted jewel – each time you see something different, you have a different experience. And that is what makes practising meditation so interesting. With practise you allow yourself to experience a sense of freedom and lightness that is difficult to define in words.

This release helps on many different levels – influencing your thoughts, feelings and physical health in a long-term and positive way.

It offers you the opportunity to change – to explore and sometimes to understand the ‘whys and whats’ of your life experiences to that point.

Meditation presents us with these opportunities to become truly free in every sense of the word but not only during the meditation – this influence will flow out into our life, your choices and your perception of the world. It allows us to choose to let go of our fears – first of all by acknowledging them, then with practise we accept them and this helps ultimately to release them.

Meditation isn’t an end goal – a light at the end of a tunnel. It’s an unfolding of awareness of consciousness and helps us to break free from this illusion so that we can be ever present with our true self and can experience peace in our lives.

I am a practical person – so when I share these experiences I truly do so because they have worked in this way for me.

Certainly being in a group helps the beginner and offers a dedicated approach to this experience – our trying it at home with a guided visualisation CD ( I still do this sometimes) is good to give you support and assistance if your mind is too busy to focus on its own).

Practical Tips

However you can consider others ways too – any physical activity can be an opportunity to try meditation (there are a number of ways to approach it). Being aware of your breath – it’s rhythm and pace… or the sound and feeling of a cat’s purr as you stroke it… or the flavour and smell of your food as you eat. These are forms of meditation if your intention is to be aware (eg not caught up in your thoughts).

Some prefer movement – in the form of Tai Chi, Qui gong or Hatha yoga which are also regarded as moving meditation. There are many interpretations of what meditation is – no one way is the ‘best’ way. But there may be some approaches that you are more comfortable with. I never wanted to attach my practise to a religion… it was ‘uncomfortable’ for me so I choose to do so in other ways and teach it that way too. Funnily enough it has brought me very squarely to my awareness of an ever-present universal consciousness (eg my interpretation of God) which is wonderful. Just remember to try and then if it doesn’t work that time, let yourself flow back to it when you are ready. Find what works for you – and just have a go!

We offer classes and meditation CDs to help you learn and practise meditation - see 'workshops' for further information.