I know it’s SO annoying someone telling you what to do!
And I don’t, usually, but as the New Year kicks off, a lot of people are looking to adopt new habits. I want to share with you THE SINGLE MOST ESSENTIAL HABIT I have ever developed and how incredibly helpful it can be to you not only as an artist but as a happy human being.
For those of you that know me or have followed my blog for awhile, you know that I meditate daily. It helps keep me centered and brings me incredible peace during easier times and steadiness during challenging or painful times.
The nature of the superficial mind is often scattered, judgmental, fearful, worried and anxious. Without training these negative thinking patterns can become ingrained. We actually believe what our mind tells us without the ability to discern. Often, we turn those thoughts against ourselves. But when we train the mind, we can better connect with our deeper selves.
Peace is an innate part of our inner nature, but we must practice regularly to be able to put some distance between ourselves and our often negative thoughts. I recommend to starting small. Five minutes is plenty for a beginner start. Aim to increase gradually to a daily practice of 15 – 20 minutes. There are many resources on meditation on the web or apps you can get for your phone to help you get started. Please be patient. It does take time for most of us. It took me some years, but now I can easily drop into calm and centeredness even in very challenging situations.
Please let us know in the comments – Have you ever tried meditation? Was it hard for you? If you have an established practice, please let us know what it has done for you.
Responses to “Why you MUST meditate”
alexis higginbotham
I meditate every day and have done so for 10 years. Sometimes it’s just a matter of being still for several minutes; other times I practice a specific Kundalini yoga meditation for a much longer period of time. In addition I’ve practiced yoga every single day for the last ten years: practicing on a plane, in an airport, even in a car. Now I can’t not do either or I feel wonky and out of balance.
Sometimes I think the word meditation can be daunting. Yet I think it’s really more about taking pause, creating stillness – that’s the important thing. Sometimes the thoughts bounce around in my head and I’m more resistant, and other times I’m more receptive. But I feel like it’s less about the “quality” of my meditation and more about just doing it. The commitment to it, and therefore to myself.
I am not exaggerating when I say that meditating has changed my life. It has helped me to be less reactive, where I am more in charge of my own mind and emotions than they are of me. I am able to retain a neutral space so that the troubles and vagaries of life don’t buffer me around like they used to. Life and stuff around me hasn’t changed, but my reactions to them have.
Peace is where it’s at for me. If I have peace, then I am grounded and centered and I can handle anything that life throws at me.
Michele Theberge
Alexis, I absolutely loved hearing what you wrote, my friend. I can relate to what you said about being less reactive. I am so grateful for my practice for that. I also appreciate what you brought up about the word “meditation” being daunting. I like your term “creating stillness.” So beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Alice Larsen
Have been meditating since 20006, doing the Kriya Yog & find it to be the single most important thing I do every day. Over the years, I’ve watched myself change for the better in every part of my life. If I miss doing it in the morning, I make it up later or do an extra meditation the next day. I try not to start my day or leave home without it. My website address is http://www.artfromalice.com
Michele Theberge
Alice – I like how you put it “I’ve watched myself change for the better in every part of my life.” I feel exactly the same. I am calmer, less reactive, more peaceful, self-confident and happy. It is a beautiful thing. Thanks for sharing your website, too! Beautiful work. I hope others will take a look.
Joan
Yes I have tried meditation. I have practiced several different methods and know the personal benefits. I have not disciplined myself to continue on a daily basis. It did help me to be calmer, more centered and aware of my self and surroundings. My attitude and perspective was more positive and my creativity was expanded. Thank you for your post and it encourages me to find this practice important enough to go back to it and improve my daily life. Joan
Michele Theberge
Hi Joan!
I wonder if you are like a lot of us who do best with group support. It gives me an idea – maybe I could lead a meditation challenge. Let me know if that is something that would interest you. In my early days of practicing yoga, they had “Lilias, Yoga and You” on PBS around 6 am every morning. It made it SO MUCH EASIER to practice every day with someone leading me! I don’t know how long I did this but after a while my habit was firmly established and I didn’t need the program any more. My body was so used it that it DEMANDED it. I could not start my day without some yoga.
anthony
Hi I started TM transcendental meditation about 40 years ago after reading a book about it.
It cannot be learnt from a book but only through a Qualified TM teacher because its a very subtle technique and personal guidance is essential,it is also very easy, children do it..in fact an innocent approach is the key to success.
I had tried several well known advanced techniques that were just very hard work and required years of practise.
TM is effortless and completely quietens the mind down after just a few practises.,it sounds too good to be true, but it works ,it is not a religion or cult but a simple mental technique.
It is my secret weapon against the pressures of life,it has been called the non medicinal tranquilizer.
I am not and have never have been affiliated with the TM movement ,I just practise the meditation every day, it is so enjoyable that one looks forward to it as you would a nights sleep.
I regularly experience samadhi like states with it because that is our natural state that is revealed when the mind settles down.. my whole nervous system seems to buzz when I do it,this is accumulated stress being released.
The down side is you have to pay a fee,the teachers are professional and they have to charge for their time as any other profession,there are concessions available for students and those on a low wage. information about TM is available on the internet,TM centers are all over the world and you should be able to find one near you.
Good luck and peace be with you…
Michele Theberge
Hi Anthony, Thank you so much for sharing your experience with TM. It’s so great to hear how this practice is so beautiful and supportive for you, yet so simple. I hope people are insired as they read your words! Peace to you.
Ken Owen
I have ALWAYS enjoyed your painting videos (I’m almost 70 now and only just now getting back to my heart’s desire … art and painting). You have a wonderful combination of skill, technique, style, and a warm comfortable and sincere approach to guidance. Then, on top of all this, you have this video on meditation! What an inspirational find for me. I have a lifetime of being anxious and worried, contrasted with a deep sense of art and music. Then you pop in with this video on meditation … wow. Thank you for this guidance, and for understanding that even art is just one factor in a healthy life balance. I know I need this in my life. I will begin now to try it for me. Thank you so much for this additional inspiration.
Michele Theberge
Thank you for your kind words, Ken. Meditation has been such an integral part of not just my art practice, but my overall health and well-being. I know that everyone can relate to feeling worried and anxious, so I hope that even just a few minutes a day can bring you some peace.