Meditation: More than Woo-Woo

My meditation journey.

In the early days, when I watched others and tried to see if their habits could (or should) become my own, I heard rumblings about mediation. The practice felt woo-woo and otherworldly. Meditation was a concept I was barely comfortable dipping my toe into.

During my first meditation venture, I sat in a circle of people I didn’t know. The hardwood floor was uncomfortable, or “they” said I could prop a pillow under my backside. A singing bowl came to life and was a far cry from the country music I had listened to on the drive over. I didn’t know what to do— who to be. I was nervous, and the noise in my head got louder. You are supposed to sit tall, close your eyes, and not think. How exactly does one do this?

Years later, my therapist said (more than once), “You should meditate.”

My head nodded in affirmation as I thought, Nope, it’s not for me. I’ve tried. That’s a hard pass. Fast forward another handful of months, with the bottom missing from my world. I had very little to hold onto, and, quite honestly, a wine bottle felt good enough. My mind raced, and I fought off panic hourly. Focus was out of the question, yet critical decisions awaited my action.

I fell into Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, an inexpensive, immediate download ebook. It was the first step I took in the right direction.

Hal suffered a farming accident and struggled with the acceptance of his new life. During his darkest moments, he created a system for himself that turned the dial – and I grabbed the tips he offered in his book.

Elrod preaches the importance of time for himself in the morning. How often do we get distracted and run out of time, not focusing on the things that mean the most to us? He suggested that waking 60 minutes earlier, if necessary, to feed our souls could change the trajectory of our day. He was right.

He suggested doing six activities for 10 minutes each – all working toward grounding and self-reflection. I deviated from his specifics, but the process is what changed my downward spiral. Each morning, I started with prepping my coffee. Instead of wasting minutes, this became my kitchen time to clean up and spot shine. I never allowed myself to feel overwhelmed because I religiously quit when the coffee timer beeped its completion. Within a matter of days, I found myself cleaning the outside of cupboards or the inside of my fridge— and that made me feel AHEAD of the game.

My second task included bringing my hot coffee to my indoor zen balcony. I surrounded myself with the smell of plants and the pool, and that’s when I started my daily meditation. I played the same one— every single morning. It was my easy button at a time when nothing seemed easy, and meditation was still awkward.

Now, I meditate almost every day. Ten to 15 minutes is all I need to find the quiet and balance. I have learned how to sneak other forms of meditation into my day— and appreciate their grounding effect: walks in nature, wordless high-frequency music, podcasts, or audiobooks that feed my heart and soul and distract me. A shower. Aroma therapy. Candles. Comfy socks. Good coffee.

Here are some beginning steps to quiet and calm your mind if you are interested in meditating:

Find a Quiet and Comfortable Space: Choose a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. It could be a corner of your room, a garden, or any peaceful spot where you feel relaxed. I value habitual actions, so I meditate in the same place most of the time.

Get into a Comfortable Position: Sit or lie down in a comfortable position. You can sit cross-legged on a cushion or chair with your back straight or lie down with your arms by your sides. Finding a position that allows you to relax without pressure or pain points is key. I often sit half-lotus in my favorite chair—the floor is too hard for me.

Focus on Your Breath: Close your eyes and begin to focus your attention on your breath. Notice the sensation of the breath as it enters and leaves your body. You can focus on the rise and fall of your chest or the feeling of the air passing through your nostrils. The first year I meditated, I focused on the tip of my nose.

Be Present: As you breathe, try to bring your awareness fully to the present moment. Let go of any thoughts about the past or future and simply be with your breath in the here and now. Focus is the hardest— teaching our brain to relax and release. Thankfully, the brain is a trainable muscle.

Notice Your Thoughts Without Judgment: It’s natural for your mind to wander during meditation. When you notice your thoughts drifting, gently acknowledge them without judgment and bring your focus back to your breath— or your nose.

Start with Short Sessions: If you’re new to meditation, start with short sessions, such as 5 or 10 minutes, and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the practice. My body and mind naturally crave 15 minutes, although I can be happy with more or less.

Explore Different Techniques: There are many different meditation techniques, such as mindfulness meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and guided visualization. Experiment with other methods to see what resonates best with you.

Seek Guidance if Needed: If you’re struggling with your meditation practice or have questions, consider seeking guidance from a meditation teacher, attending a meditation class, or using meditation apps or online resources for support and inspiration.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to meditate, so feel free to tailor the practice to suit your preferences and needs. The most important thing is cultivating a sense of presence, awareness, and inner peace through meditation. Meditation is one element that guided me back on a better path, and I recommend this woo-woo, otherworldly practice to anyone searching for inner peace, awareness, and balance.

My favorite guided meditation sources:

YouTube.com/@GreatMeditation

the Calm App

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I am an author, indie-publisher, blogger, artist, and trauma survivor. Visit HezzieMae.com for a sea change paradigm shift in author mentoring, publishing & living.