Using Meditation for Inner Peace – Where & How do We Begin?

The Definition of Meditation

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, meditation is a discourse intended to express its author’s reflections or guide others in contemplation.

Meditation according to Heidi: is a tool in finding your Inner Peace, Calm, and Joy.

For me, meditation provides an avenue of self-reflection and can come in various forms. It does not have to be complicated or fancy.

You can meditate during a quiet walk with nature. Sitting on the beach while listening to the waves lap on the sand. Or you can even meditate while you are sitting on a park bench, as you feel the warm sunshine on your face and breeze in your hair.

While you’re meditating, allow your mind to connect with your breath. When successful, you can channel that inner peace we seek so very much!

Where and How do We begin?

Here is the good news – there is a wealth of resources available to you! And as we just proved, you can meditate virtually anywhere with the correct mindset and setting.

In my humble opinion, we should begin using simple tools. For example, set a timer for 5 minutes and play sounds of nature.

Sit and listen to your breath, the sound of the room, or the sounds from outside. If your mind wanders, don’t get mad. Simply remind it to come back to you. You can even imagine placing your thought on a cloud and letting it float away.

You can also download apps for free (or pay for) and classes that you can take at your local Yoga Studio. I promise you, whichever method you choose, it will be well worth the time you invest.

Which Method should you use?

Personally, I have done them all; at least it has felt like it! Truthfully, none of the types of practices ever felt wrong for me; I happen to like variety and tend to cycle through different variations of my practice like Mother Nature cycles through her seasons.

I meditate in a way that works for me at that moment in time. And that is the best advice I can give you as you approach this new addition to your routine.

A few examples –

• I have taken a Gentle Restorative Yoga class at our little studio in town. The class is very relaxing, perhaps a little too relaxing [truth be told – I’ve been caught sleeping!]
• I’ve paid for an annual GAIA membership and used the free version of CALM.
• Most recently, I have been using Kerusso Daily Devotional and Daily One Minute Mindfulness via Alexa during my morning routine.

Find a method that works for you!

With all of that said, those are the styles that have worked for me. You need to find a method that works for you! Mix it up and try a different method every few days until you land on one (or a few) that make you feel good.

Find the time of day that works.

You also need to find the time of day that works best for you. I meditate in the morning; otherwise, it doesn’t get done (like my stretches!).

Remember, this is new, this is good for you, and what I am finding anything that is good for you takes a little work in the beginning. With meditation, the “work” is the commitment.

The BENEFITS of MEDITATION.

Along with finding inner peace, calm, and joy, this practice will encourage (hopefully) the feeling of gratitude! And I am a firm believer that meditation can only bring good into everyone’s lives!

Meditation takes you beyond the mind’s noisy chatter into the pure awareness that is the source of all your happiness, inspiration, and love.

~ Deepak Chopra

Until next time … Peace and Blessings, Friends!