Meditation is simply about concentrating and being able to focus the attention to one point. You might think that it is very easy yet being able to sit or even lie down still and focusing on one point is such a challenge for many of us. However as my teacher Sanjeev Bhanot says, “everybody needs to do 1 hour of mediation everyday and if you are very busy then you need to do 2 hours”. During the meditation you reach to a place of “no thoughts”, a bit like a “gap” in the mind. And like everything in life, the mind needs that gap to recharge and re-energize itself.
“Meditation is an essential part of the yoga tradition…. Through meditation, the mind becomes silent, the illusory impressions fall away and the truth of our being naturally rises to the surface of the consciousness.” (Yogalife, Yoga Teacher Training Manual 2017).
Thousand of years ago meditation was identified as the path to ultimate enlightenment and those yogis who could stay in meditation for long looong periods (along side with other abilities), could reach the “Samadhi” the ultimate enlightenment. These developed meditation techniques take the practitioners to a higher state of awareness and a state of no-thought in order to gain spiritual mastery and intimacy with the Self.
Meditation Can Help You
You don’t have to go that far, lets start with 5 minutes!! But first, as I know we modern humans need some justifications and solid reasons to motivate ourselves, let me give you a few that helped me:
- Increase your concentration in your daily life which many of us suffer
- Support willpower that can help you in your weight loss, healthier living, quit smoking, etc efforts
- Increase your patience, to deal with everyday issues especially with your children or at work!
- Reduction of stress, improved focus and memory
- Achieve emotional balance and happiness
- Regular practice strengthens the immune system, helps you to build strength against ageing and diseases
If these are good enough reasons for you too, then lets start!
Visit Ceylan’s blog to read the full article: How to Start Meditation and How Can It Help You?
Hi! I am a RYT 500hours Yoga Teacher, YACEP Trainer and a certified Integrative Nutrition Healthy Living Coach. I am passionate about empowering women to help them transform their mind, health and bodies through yoga, meditation and optimal nutrition, as well as guiding them to become the healthy confident role model for their children, family and community.
