There are so many reasons why I meditate, but probably the biggest is how it makes me feel so calm. Almost instantly, I can feel my nervous system slowing down. My heart rhythm changes – it slows down. My breathing too becomes slow and shallow. I feel peace. I feel balance. I feel grounded and centred. I feel connected – connected to an infinite source of energy that is available to all of us, we just need to learn how to access it.
How do we do this? Through practice. You can begin by following the breath, which in and of itself, calms the nervous system. And then it’s from here that you move deeper. I like to call it tuning into myself, to an inner guidance, a place of all knowing that goes beyond the limits of space or time. I think meditation is a little different for everyone, but no matter how we define it, this practice of quieting the mind and detaching from our thoughts is what we call meditation. Quieting the mind, allowing an inner guidance to come through. It’s simply a connection to something deeper and true. So, connecting to this quiet place can be different for everyone, and yet it’s the same. It’s all about getting the mental clutter out of the way so you can “see” yourself more clearly – your life, your relationships, your decisions. And it’s when you’re able to sit quietly in the stillness, in this awareness, without feeling like you’re going to jump out of your skin, that you’re able to begin the process of healing. You can move into a place of deeper understanding of your self, awakening your intuition, opening up to your divine gifts and working to manifest the abundance you need. It just takes time. It just takes practice.
We practice meditation not to shut out the world or escape ourselves, but to become more present to it. This awareness happens gradually as you begin to notice small shifts in your thoughts, mood, attitude, or behaviour. You will begin to experience moments of a connectedness that is difficult to describe. We all have a source of energy within us, always there, in and around us. Moving into a place of stillness within allows us an opportunity to access this energy, even claim it. It’s a place where things become clear. Where we quietly receive answers. Where everything seems to slow down so that you’re able to experience a sense of knowing. The nervous system calms down, as does the beating of your heart. Over time, and with awareness, you can make this your personal default place, accessed easily by simply tuning in to your breath. With practice, travelling to this place becomes addictive, just like moving your body or eating in a healthy way becomes addictive because you’re nourishing your soul. The more often you travel here, the deeper this path becomes ingrained into your consciousness. You then live your life from this place. Listening, aware, connected.
Namaste,
Jacine