Meditations (and Monks!) I’ve loved in February.
Meditation. Love it or loath it, there’s so much research now that supports its practice being a beneficial one for both our brains and bodies. But what if, no matter how good you know it is for you, you just can’t convince yourself to give it a go? Maybe the idea of sitting still with nothing but your own mind to keep you company, sounds really dull or too ‘woowoo’ for someone like you? I get it, but meditation doesn’t need to be reserved for the seriously spiritual or those “Finding themselves” on a Gap-Yah. Cultivating awareness belongs to all of us, regardless of creed or lack-there-of. We don’t need a shaved head or one donned with 5 colours of hair dye to appreciate the human wonder that is being-in-the-moment.
There are many types of meditation out there;Transcendental Meditation where one inwardly repeats Mantra; Mindfulness Meditation where we simply observe our thoughts, feelings, breath or anything else that may occure; Walking Meditation where one (you guessed it) walks and Pranayama, which although technically not meditation, can lead us to a similar state of awareness. Even Yoga Asan can bring us to the state of awareness I’m speaking to.
Basically, whether we dig stillness or movement, chanting or silence - there is a meditation practice that can work for most of us. Albeit with resistance from time to time.
Personally, I’ve been pulled towards stillness recently. Throughout February when my meditation practice became less sporadic, I could really notice the benefits of taking moments to observe my own mind, more obviously. On the days I practice meditation - whether it be Mindfulness, Nidra or any other type - I always feel far more capable of moving through the day with an increased level of grace, more connection to my inner voice and more energy to stay focused during the moment. Hard situations have more breathing space around them (excused the pun) and I am more able to respond to situations, rather than react to them.
I want to stress that meditation is a PRACTICE, meaning that we shouldn’t expect ourselves to do it perfectly, or always step away feeling hyper connected to the bliss of universal presence. I don’t often hear the almighty Wisdom of the Moment talking to me. Often my brain is busy, chaotic even, and the process of sitting in stillness looks a little like training a Monkey Circus; a phrase I heard the late and utterly charming, Björn Natthiko Lindeblad use.
My reccomendations?
This short meditation from Yoga with Adrienne! if you’d like to try Mindfulness.
A cheeky breath practice from me! if you want a Pranayama session.
Maybe give a Mindfulness colouring book a whirl if you like to keep your hands busy, or hit up Yoga Nidra if you love Savasana (the bit where we have a fake nap at the end of class).
Finally, please go and listen to this podcast with the aforemention Björn. A true treasure of a conversation that offers a unique perspective on living mindfully and death - don’t worry it isn’t even mildly macarbe, he brings such light and curiousity to this subject, it’s honestly a must listen. Björn was a Buddhist Monk for 17 years, who, in this interview at the end of his life, shares so many gems of wisdom. His undeniable warmth shines through and his pure intention goes right to the heart in a very simple and non-dogmatic way. If you’re struggling to get still, this episode might offer you some motivation and if not, he will bless your ears and heart with some delightfully sweet, intrinsically human wisdom <3
p.s if you like the pod - Bjorn’s book ‘I May be Wrong and Other Wisdoms from Life as a Forest Monk’ is absolutely spellbinding! A must read that offers a sort of Whinnie-The-Pooh-like warmth, humour and wisdom.
