Meditation Is a Pathway To Inner Peace
Most people come to meditation once they realise their effort to control things isn't working. Learning to clear your mind is quite the journey, so first, let's clear up some meditation myths
Pause …
Take A Breath …
Repeat …
Myth #1 "I can't meditate"
Sure you can. We all have the capacity to sit still but we want meditation to be easy. Sometimes our heads are so full it's difficult to stop the mind chatter. But the good news is, meditation is simply a practice so you don't ever need to be perfect at it. I've guided many beginners through their very first meditation so with a little bit of guidance I'm certain you can do it. Here's a free Mindfulness meditation to get you started.
Myth #2 Meditation is about clearing the mind
Kind of. But not in the way you probably think. Like Myth #1, the problem with the myth is that we come to meditation with a premature understanding. Attempting to clear your mind is difficult and isn't necessarily the point. When we begin our meditation journey what we find is that as soon as we stop what we're doing and try to meditate, here come ALL the thoughts we didn't even know we were having. Rest assured, it's the same for everyone.
You may experience moments of no thinking right from the very first time you sit on the mat. But you might not. In fact, it's far more likely you'll become aware of just how much is going on in your mind. And that's the real beauty of meditation – AWARENESS.
Mindfulness allows us to have all those bazillion thoughts and realise they're not a problem. Wow! That one thing alone can change the whole game.
Myth #3 I need to sit in the lotus position
According to Buddhist teachings, meditation can be practiced sitting, standing or lying down. As a beginner it's more important to be comfortable. Ideally you want to be seated with a straight spine but if you're tired or can't sit for long without feeling discomfort, practice meditation while resting your back against a wall until your core muscles gain strength. Or, just don't worry about it and simply rest whichever way feels best.
Myth #4 It's wrong to fall asleep
The Dalai Lama says, "Sleep is the best form of meditation." It's common to feel immense fatigue when you begin to practice meditating and it's not unusual to fall asleep and wake up with no idea where you went. Meditation can wake us up to our deep fatigue so roll with it and let it be part of your practice.
Myth #5 We should all meditate
As a meditation teacher with 20+ years of practice under her belt, I believe regular meditation can be life-changing so you might be surprised to hear that I don't think everyone should meditate. Life is stressful enough without adding another thing-you-think-you-should-be-doing-in-order-to-be-a-good-person to your list. Truly. That way of being serves nobody, least of all ourselves.
Please don't ever worry that if you don't meditate you're missing out on the golden ticket to a better life. Learning to meditate requires discipline, patience and time. And committing to a daily practice is not for everyone.
However, if you do give it a shot then get ready to witness parts of yourself that you never knew existed. Be prepared to discover all the things people never told you about meditation. And brace yourself for great change.
Because when we commit to reducing our stress an incredible thing occurs. Learning to meditate is simply the gateway to greater self-awareness. Your journey will be personal and unpredictable.
So if you are ready for that, I'd love to guide you along the way and be with you while you awaken your heart and navigate the stormy seas of the mind. Cultivating a regular meditation practice has changed my life in so many positive ways, and I know it can change yours too.
If you have any questions about meditation feel 100% free to drop me a line and ask. I love helping people find the right path for them because it's so not what you might think it is.
Whichever path you choose, you are absolutely increasing your ability to Love.
TESTIMONIAL
A meditation session with Hannah is a rewarding respite from a busy world. Hannah's soothing assuring voice leads your mind and body to a place of relaxed awareness where you can step back from the challenges of daily life and focus on your breath and energy. Hannah connects with each person in a warm and comforting way, tailoring her meditation sessions to suit the energy of the attendees. Her meditation sessions have been of great benefit to my mental health.
MICHELLE CRAIK / GRAPHIC DESIGNER