In today’s world, getting caught in a mental rut or slump is not unusual. It can be prompted by outside factors, internal perceptions, or both. Fortunately, there is a timeless way to get out of it and recapture connection to our true self. The practice of meditation, allows us to realize that we are not the patterns and eddies of desire and memory that flow and swirl in our consciousness. Regular practice of this ancient technique establishes a secure connection between our internal and external worlds.
How Meditation Works
There’s been a persistent image tied to meditation where a practioner seems to have cloistered themselves from the world. It’s probably because we see so many images of people practicing on their own, with their eyes closed, apparently not in contact with those around them. However, what we don’t see, is those same people getting up from their formal practice and using the awareness they’ve been cultivating to relate more empathically and kindly with others.
Meditation is one of the best ways to loosen the grip of sticky emotions and connect to our true self, which isn’t limited, angry, or fearful, but is infinite, pure consciousness. Meditation brings us home to the peace of present-moment awareness and gives us an experience of profound relaxation that dissolves fatigue and long-standing stresses and – as countless studies have shown – promotes both physical and emotional healing.
How We Can Use Meditation To Forge A Deeper Connection With Ourselves
When practicing any meditation technique, we may have expectations or judgements about the ‘right’ way to do things. Try to let these go, sometimes the mind might be busy, other times it might be quiet. You may find the mind scattered or focused on one thing. This is all part of the process, just watch and observe.
1. Cultivates self-awareness
Meditation helps us see ourselves from a new vantage point. We have thousands of thoughts per day and most are repeated on autopilot. Some of our thoughts have been handed down generations from grandparents to us; they may not be our beliefs much less our own original opinions. Despite this, we often believe we are our thoughts. Meditation helps us separate from those thoughts, recognize them as thoughts only. With meditation you can also discover the deep cause of what’s off, whether it’s long-buried negative feelings, unexpressed grief or anger, and then find the most effective path for releasing it. The wisdom and insights that come from meditation can assist in healing every area of your life and improve self-awareness.
2. Anchors us to the present moment
Often in life we spend a lot of time dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. When we meditate we connect to this very moment. This helps us to be more present, aware and helps us not to miss things in our lives.
3. Allows us to make better decisions
The self-awareness and mindfulness you gain from meditation gives you insight into who you really are and where you want to go. You are able to make healthy and productive choices. Additionally, the present awareness you experience clears away fear and worry, past and future concerns. Decisions made with a grounded, focused awareness will help heal you in body, mind, and spirit.
4. Improves confidence
Feeling your connection to higher source of positive energy through meditation can restore your sense of purpose and give you confidence in all that you are capable of accomplishing.
Bottom Line
With the practice of meditation, we learn that we don’t have to be totally enslaved to our patterns—the brain is far more elastic than we once thought, and meditation can help us rewire it in the direction of fulfilling connection with ourselves and others.
Read More: 6 Mindful Books We’re Relaxing With This December
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