Gale Tobin — Why People Should Start Meditating
Meditation is usually attained by sitting quietly with or without their thoughts, having power and control over distractions, and letting the mind and soul travel without the physical body. It is an act of listening to what the universe is trying to communicate. It is allowing the universe to reveal messages that are meant to be received. It is guiding the body to be in tune with the breath. Meditation is a practice rooted in ancient traditions and different cultures around the world. While it’s tied to various religious teaching, the practice can be done by anyone who yearns to achieve a sense of awareness, calmness, inner harmony, and peace.
Most people identify meditation as a still practice — sitting in a lotus position with the eyes closed and the hands in a mudra position. However, that is not the only way to practice it. There are various types of meditation such as mindfulness meditation, spiritual meditation, focused meditation, movement meditation, mantra meditation, transcendental meditation, progressive relaxation, loving-kindness meditation, and visualization meditation. Some may not be able to attain inner peace by staying stagnant in their practice while some may not be able to focus if they are constantly moving, hence, it is essential to recognize which type of meditation brings them closer to tranquility.
Given the purpose and benefits of meditation, there are also different reasons why people should start the practice. Aside from the usual goal of attaining inner peace and clarity, here are other uncommon reasons why people should start meditating:
A form of calling
Meditation tends to be part of a daily ritual that is usually done in the morning before the hustle and bustle of the day starts. Similar to warming up before a workout, this routine has been developed since the practice allows them to prepare themselves for what the day has to offer. Those who have been used to doing this have already recognized the solemnity of meditation, to the point that missing it may affect their mood — keeping them off-track throughout the day.
For those who are new to meditation, it may be that they are being called to practice it. Even those who have been practicing it for a period of time still feel this call. It is the unexplained feeling of wanting to go back to their inner being. It is being aware of the physical environment and needing to retreat to their own realm. It is sensing that subconscious desire to be present in their own awareness.
It’s a message that seeks to be read, a call that strives to be answered. Meditation is this force of nature that guides people back to their inner being. When this transpires, it may be a sign that the universe is communicating with them.
Resetting the mind and body
As plain as it is, meditation is also done in order to relax the mind and body. It is that few minutes of calm wherein undivided attention is given to the self and the practice. Doing this is a form of self-care that simply requires the individual’s full presence. It is meant to bring them back in their own element when too much of life is weighing them down.
It is their body signaling them to slow down and be kind to themselves. Some people tend to overwork and view rest as a temptation that leads to laziness. However, rest is necessary and rest is parallel to being productive. The body has its own way of subconsciously signaling the mind — this goes the same vise versa. When the mind is unaware of the exhaustion that the body carries, it comes as a form of physical illness. When the body is unaware of the pressure that the mind holds, it comes as a form of mental illness. The body and the mind continually work together in achieving balance. With meditation, the individual is allowing both to reset and to be in sync with each other.
Understanding the self
Meditation is a practice that deepens the relationship between the external and internal body. It bridges the gap between the mental and physical realm. The practice allows individuals to connect deeper to their inner being while being present in their surroundings. It prompts them to find themselves and get to know their subconscious identity better.
The identity has been highly influenced by society — controlled by the expectation of others, of fears and doubts, of expectations, and of groups or functions. The conscious self is a reflection of society but the true subconscious self is deeply ingrained in the psyche. In order to get past that, spiritual practices are there to enlighten individuals. Meditation is one of those that brings them closer to self-fulfillment and deeper into levels of consciousness. — Gale Tobin
