I have a confession.
Until recently, I considered meditation to be in the same basket as mung beans and hemp socks – worthy and noble but not something I was ever likely to get excited about.
In my mind, meditation was the kind of thing my kooky, kaftan wearing Aunt would do. Just after she’d finished planting her garlic bulbs by the light of the full moon.
Sure – I’d read that people who meditated lived longer. And had lower blood pressure. And were nicer to their kids. But I was also pretty sure that giving up wine would have a similar effect and I hadn’t cracked that one either.
Besides, I didn’t have time to meditate. I had dragons to slay and mountains to climb.
Then I had kids (oh so many kids) and my already busy life went into overdrive. I would have laughed (a little hysterically) if anyone had suggested I take 10 minutes a day to “centre myself”.
Every so often though, listening to the radio or walking past an open café door, I’d hear that beautiful Simon and Garfunkel song, “Feelin’ Groovy”.
You know the one…
“Slow down – you move too fast. You gotta make this moment last……”
And I’d dismiss it instantly.
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As an "on-again off-again" meditator for over 15 years, I have to say it's a bit like brushing your teeth. Doing it once won't make any difference. And you shouldn't expect any change after any one time of brushing your teeth. But your dentist knows when you turn up there once a year that you've been brushing (and who knows, maybe even flossing). The effect of meditation is both cumulative, and self-authenticating.
For those looking to start, sit down, shut up, and imagine breathing through the soles of your feet for ten minutes.
Done.
what works for me:
* A lie-down after lunch (no more than 30mn other wise i fall asleep). My mind instantly clears and I 'come to' usually very suddenly for no reason and am not groggy. I have no idea what happened during the time, i don't remember anything. But I feel very refreshed.
* swimming laps
* having a bath in which i let the tap drip-drip-drip onto my fingers. Sometimes, i slap the water in time to tunes in my head first- very weird, i know, but very relaxing
*clsing my eyes and counting every time I exhale. if i forget the number, i start again at 1. It takes a lot of time to get to 10, a very long time. also useful when i can't get to sleep.
All these activites are done lying donw. DO NOT put me in a LOTUS!!!!!