Connecting through meditation

By: Andrea Sipcic

Meditation, simply put, is an individual practice with the intention of being in a state of clarity, allowance, and connection. This includes mental clarity and allowing oneself to connect with their true, inner self, further permitting one to be more in-tuned with who they really are and their core feelings. In addition, by meditating, we can naturally allow ourselves to disconnect from outside sources, distractions, and even from our own thoughts.

Benefits of meditation

There are several purposes that can make meditation an important practice to  incorporate into one’s life on a regular basis, the most important one being achieving clarity and a deeper connection with one’s true self. With the busyness of daily human life, distractions, and many stimulants (positive and/or negative), there is plenty that can take us away from our deeper, more pure connection with ourselves. With all of these outside distractions, it can get very easy to get deterred from our own inner guidance, true intentions, and feelings. This connection is what meditation can aid us in. Other benefits include:

How to meditate

One of the most misperceived aspects to note with meditation is that there is a “right” way to do it. There is no one right way to meditate, just as there is no one “right” route for you to take to get home. The first main thing we want to consider is that we are meditating to gain clarity, self-awareness, tranquility, and connection to self. There is no need to “force” yourself to not think or try hard to “control” your thoughts, or do anything specific, as this is another misperceived idea. It’s more the opposite; letting go and allowing yourself to be present in the moment as well as connecting with and focusing on the breath are excellent ways to do that. More specifically, focusing on your own natural inhaling and exhaling.

 It can be normal to notice while meditating (especially if you’re just starting off) that you are experiencing some or maybe even a lot of mind chatter. If you already tend to be in your head quite often, this is especially normal. This is where many people tend to run into conflict with themselves while “trying” to mediate. They tend to try to fight and control these thoughts, attempting to “make them stop.” This is where it’s recommended not to push against them. You are going on the momentum of your regular thought patterns, and your mind is so used to following that, and continuing on with them. Instead of trying so hard to stop your thoughts entirely , it’s encouraged to gear your focus somewhere else. This is where the breath comes in. So if and when you notice that thoughts are popping up that you may not want to be engaging with, you can simply turn your attention and awareness back to your breath. You may actually turn your attention to anything that’s consistent in your environment. I.e. meditation music you may be playing, rain or water sounds, or even something as simple as the humming of your heater. It really doesn’t matter, as long as it works for you.

In terms of when to meditate and physical physiology, there are several ways you can about it. Any time of day where you feel you need to reconnect or take a few moments for yourself, that is the “right” time to mediate. It is also strongly recommended to meditate first thing in the morning. This allows yourself and your day to be set with intention, and essentially has the ability to set the mood for your day and how you may want to feel throughout it. About 15 minutes is a general recommended duration for a meditation. Taking just a few minutes at any time in your day can also suffice for a short meditation when required, especially if a few minutes is all you have available. With deliberate, focused intention, a few minutes may be all you really need.

Many people like to lay down straight on their back on a yoga mat during mediation, or sit up cross legged on the ground, indoors or outdoors. Again, there is no “right way.” Whether it’s one of these ways that you opt for, or you choose to sit on a chair, your bed, on a mat outside by the water with pillows, it’s important to find a space that  feels good to you. One recommendation to take note of is not to slouch. Allow your body and posture to be straight or upright, allowing the energy to flow freely.