All about meditation

 Dear readers,

have you ever experienced anything connected with meditation? Would be thrilled if you say yes; however, I wouldn't be suprised if your answer is 'no'. Unfortunately, there is this stereotypical and incorrect idea of how meditation works and what it excactly is. Most assume that you just sit cross-legged, with your hands on your knees, doing this particular prolonged sound 'mmm'. Well, it is not actually that simple.

Where did it begin?

To fully understand the concept, we need to get more information about its origins. The earliest signs of meditation could be found in ancient India (Hinduisim- Dhyana), Jainism, and Buddhism. I am not going into details, because this isn't the aim of my today's post; nevertheless, you can see the variety of faiths and religions it was practiced. 

How to do it?

1. Find a calm place- where it feels comfortable, quiet and peaceful. A place where nothing disturbs you and you can completely focus on yourself.

2. Set a time limit- especially at the beginning of your meditation journey. It doesn't have to be long, approximately 5-10 minutes should be enough. 

3.Choose a comfortable position & notice your body- lay down, sit or do whatever you please with your body. Also, make sure your muscles are relaxed, not tensed.

4. Focus on the sensation of  your breath- feel your breath as it goes in and out. Notice how your chest expands and contracts as you exhale and inhale. 

5. Notice when & where does your mind wander- since it is absolutely normal that your mind is occupied by other thoughts, it is okay when you lose focus on your breath. What matters is that you let go of your thoughts and return to breathing.

6. Be kind to your mind- this is connected to the previous point. In spite of, perpetually losing your focus and wandering, be kind to your mind and don't feel frustrated. It is totally common. If you just don't feel like meditating, simply stop. Don't be disappointed, just try again after some time, when you are ready.

7. Finish  with kindness & notice your surroundings- it is crucial to end your session with love towards yourself. Look at your surroundings with gratitude and respect.

"Why should I do it?"

There are several benefits of practicing meditation. First and foremost,  stress reduction. An 8-week study has shown that mindfulness reduced the inflammation caused by cortisol and cytokines. 

Meditation helps to control anxiety, as well. A meta-analysis including nearly 1.300 adults has shown that it improves anxiety by increasing positive self-statements & controls stress reactivity. All of these lead to overall well-being & health. 

It also may reduce age-relate memory loss. Kristan Kriya, which combines mantra or chant with the repetitive motion of the fingers, improves performance on neuropsychological tests. Additionally, there are multiple meditation styles which can increase attention, memory, and mental quickness.

I truly hope my post encourages you to give it a try. Who knows, maybe it will turn out as your stress-killer tool or daily activity you can't go without? Let me know!

Here's my presentation on Prezi about meditation: https://prezi.com/view/My1rhqhFqEfYRRAA0aQz/ 

Have a lovely day!

Sending love & light

xx Marta