Meditation: What It is and Why Do It

Meditation is a practice of focused concentration. It has also been described as clearing your mind using a combination of mental and physical techniques.

Meditation can produce a state of being relaxed or tranquil. It has been scientifically proven that meditating can reduce stress and anxiety, and some research shows it helps with your mood, better sleep, and boosts cognitive skills.

So why meditate?

For me it has brought forward clarity of thought as well as allowed me to better focus when tuning into various deities, angels, and other divine entities.

I remember many years ago when I took a class learning how to meditate. My understanding had been that mediation meant you had to clear or empty your mind. Knowing that I have constantly had numerous thoughts running simultaneously, my belief was that meditation would be challenging - if not impossible for me. To reinforce that doubt, my husband was of the same mindset.

The instructor was very patient and thorough in explaining that meditation was “like cleaning out your closet”. We’ve all cleaned the closet on occasion and know the process - you look through to see what is a keeper, try on things questionable to see if they still fit, and then create a pile to give away or donate. Makes sense, right? She further explained that when thoughts bubble up you need to recognize them – determine if it’s useful and a

“keeper” or if it’s something that needs to be resolved or worked on. If it’s nothing still benefiting you and outdated - then thank that thought for coming forward and return it to the universe to be transmuted into something positive such as love, light, or compassion. Once the thought has been let go of - it will not come up again in meditation just, like the pile of clothes you’re giving away.

The thoughts that need attention are usually unresolved issues that you’ve been avoiding and need to be addressed. Once that is done, those too should not be present in future

mediations. Obviously, this is a process and takes time. It is amazing how many outdated thoughts we have just tossing around in our head. After several months of guided meditation, I finally had success in going into a deep state of peace seeing myself flying over the ocean, and watching as a whale emerged from the surface to look directly at me overhead. It was incredible!

Over the years my style of meditation has changed, and I rarely find the need to sit to do a deep meditation. Occasionally I will sit and find resolve or clarity with a more troubling matter. But as I mentioned, it is not often.

Meditation has taught me how to immediately focus and tune into my “higher self” or state of being. This allows me the opportunity to get information much faster while dealing with daily challenges or issues that arise. Meditating helps my memory, relaxes my physical body, and releases stress. If I find it difficult to let go of the day and fall asleep - a quick five

minute meditation gets me there.

I can't think of any reasons why someone wouldn't meditate given all the wonderful benefits you can attain from just learning how to tune into yourself. Give it a try and be patient with the process – clean out your closet. You deserve what the end result will give you.