Demystifying Meditation

Posted on December 08, 2014 by Bonnie Duarte, One of Thousands of Relationship Coaches on Noomii.

I am far from a hemp clothed, Birkenstock wearing, vegan Zen masters. Although I confess that I am partial to Organic Food, particularly with my meat. I’m fairly normal, okay not boring normal, but healthy normal, and I meditate.

So why am I demystifying meditation? Truthfully it’s because I believe it’s important. Stress is believed to be today’s number one killer. According to Health Canada, stress is the fourth leading factor in both heart disease and stroke. Even if we take stress out of the equation I believe meditation adds to making people happier and healthier overall; which I believe all of us want.

Today’s Science has proven meditation makes you happier and healthier reducing stress. Meditating is free and can be practiced anytime and it’s easy. Yet, why do so few of us practice this ancient art?

It’s time to challenge some old beliefs that may be, without trying to sound too dramatic, killing us.

Birkenstock Wearing, Vegan Zen Masters: Do I have to become a Buddhist and start wearing Birkenstocks to meditate?

No silly, Meditation is for the average main steam, normal, everyday person. It generally appeals to people that feel that slowing down and reducing stress is important to them or to people wanting to connect with their inner self and or reach a deeper spiritual level.

I don’t have the time: How long do I have to do it for?

For most of us meditation can be as little a 5-10 minutes a day or up to as high as 20-30 minutes. The idea is to simply allow your body to relax into a state of rejuvenation. Do what works for you, it could be a short meditation on the subway, or when you wake up, or after your lunch – just plug in your earbuds to your iPod and away you go.

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it: But, I tried it once, it didn’t work!

Meditation is a little like broccoli, mushrooms or oyster; as your palate matures and changes it can become one of your favorite foods. Because you’ve tried it once, doesn’t mean you can’t try it again – we are forever changing.

I can’t clear my mind, it’s too hard, I keep thinking.

This is completely normal, thoughts will come and go. Meditation is different for everyone. There is no one set way to practice it; find what works best for you. You may listen to music, you may follow a guided meditation, you may repeat a mantra. Do it your way. This is your time – There is no right way there is only your way.

Do I have to become Zen, and give up all my favourite things? No more fun?

Not at all, Please still enjoy all your favourite things – You can still be an SUV driving, Wine Drinking Technology Savvy, iPhone obsessed person and meditate, in fact you might want a whole lot more meditation to keep the balance ;-)

It sounds weird, what will people think?

It’s up to you, you get to choose what to tell people or not, and trust me you’ve probably done weirder kookier things then this. Here’s a little secret about people… they are always judging you anyways, so just let them judge!

I tried and it didn’t work, I didn’t feel any different.

Every meditation is a good meditation, do not worry – everybody has a different experience and these experiences change overtime – I like to say, “Trust the Process”.

I hope this article on Demystifying Meditation has made a difference for you, and that you feel excited about venturing in to a meditation some time soon!