What is meditation? Many people have seen practitioners sitting, eyes closed, legs folded attempting to look relaxed and calm. That’s the basic idea most of us carry around as a default concept of meditation. If you’re thinking why would anyone consider such a thing? Only navel gazers, time wasters, and the airy-fairy would waste their time sitting around humming. Meditation is only for the ridiculous, touchy-feely types. Right?

Should I try it? Many of us have also heard that meditation.

1. Reduces stress.
2. Lowers blood pressure.
3. Relieves anxiety.
4. Increases focus and memory.

Or you are interested in meditation. You have a kind of curiosity about it, a hankering to try it and find out for yourself. You’ve heard it can put you in touch with your Higher Being or, it can make you happier. You want to know if these things are true. They are all good enough reasons to try meditation. Now, I will not be able to tell you precisely what meditation is. No one should ever claim to be able to tell you that. In the words of the  Sat Chit Ananda, “Do this and find out for yourself.”

Most people have a million questions and a million reasons not to do, here are some of them, based on my own path.

Is meditation an activity? No, meditation is not-doing. It is the opposite of what you do during the day. We run here and there. We ponder, question, and even disagree. When resting, we scroll, read, listen to music and podcasts. We keep the mind continually engaged and active. In meditation we give the mind a chance to rest its hyper over-achieving self and let it all go.

 Is it doing nothing? You could put it that way, but it’s not that, it’s not doing anything at all. It’s just being still, but there’s more to it than that too.

Is it being still and stupid? Wellllll, yes, being still, but not stupid in the ignorant sense. You still know that you are, but not in the sense of having to control everything and everyone. It is the stillness and stupidity of letting go of your power trips, your inner control freak, all the things you think you know, and just sitting in joy, peace, and serenity.

What happens if I stop thinking? If I stop thinking, I’ll be stupid and ignorant, that doesn’t sound joyful. Most of what you think about during the day makes you stressed out and anxious. Give it a break, let go and see what happens. Chances are, you’ll relax and feel better.

I don’t have time to sit still and not think about anything. I have things to do and places to be. If I stop every day, I’ll never get anything done. Spoken like the true western overachiever. The one that says, “I’ll rest when I’m dead.” Let’s rest while alive and enjoy life. The things to do will still be there. The places to go will still exist. Try a yoga Nidra practice if you just cannot meditate during the day. In fact, yoga Nidra is one of the best ways to start a healthy bed-time routine. You’ll awaken refreshed and focused in the morning.

We all know it lowers blood pressure and lessens anxiety and depression, but why is that? What happens when you meditate regularly? The body responds to stimuli from the brain. It has its own internal knowledge of itself. For instance, the fight or flight mechanism produces hormones and messages to the body. “Run!” is stimuli from the brain and the body starts producing hormones like cortisol. The heart beats faster, your breathing is faster. You feel anxious. During meditation, your body produces happiness hormones such as serotonin. Overtime, meditation reduces the stress hormones created and increases the happiness hormones.  In other words, meditation reduces stress and creates happiness. Overtime, this becomes the new normal.

What happens during meditation? What will I experience? Everyone experiences something different. Some have problems remaining quiet. Others have no problem at all. It’s not uncommon to make grocery lists or remember events of the day. Still others see and experience lights, hear sounds like humming, and even have dream-like events in their meditation. Dream-like events are often messages from your Self. Watch them, but don’t get involved. If this happens a lot, keep a dream journal nearby to write them down and look for patterns or things that stand out to you.  All these things are normal. Accept them as part of the meditation experience. Just remember to return to the technique of focusing on your breathing or feeling your heart beating in your chest. After time, you will be able to sit silently for a longer amount of time. Some days your mind will chatter away, and, as you watch the thoughts pass like clouds in the sky, eventually, there will be silence and peace.

Namaste