Can I really learn to meditate?
For many people who have never tried meditation, or have only given it a cursory attempt, the feeling of not being able to do it can be strong. The primary reason people believe this is they think their mind is simply too active, and it will overpower any attempt by the body to ‘switch off’. This is a common misconception in fact, and one of the first things to learn when setting out to achieve a meditative state is how to overcome this sensation.
“So many people have expressed their belief to me that they simply would not be able to meditate because their mind ‘doesn’t think in that way’. It is totally understandable that someone should believe this, but learning to meditate is like any other new skill – you may think that you cannot do it before you start, but the important thing is to actually try. Most people are pleasantly surprised by the results”, enthuses Brigid Trevelyan, a yoga instructor at WritemyX and BritStudent.
Taking a few classes in the early days is always recommended, just so someone can show you how to achieve a meditative state, although there is of course a plethora of literature and how-to videos on the internet too that can be useful.
How much time do I need?
Another great aspect of meditation is that is doesn’t require a large proportion of time out of your busy day. In fact, when you become proficient at the art, even five to ten minutes a day can be sufficient, although mastering the technique at the beginning may often mean you need to spend a little longer getting into the zone, so to speak.
When should I do it?
There is no real perfect time for meditation, it is more related to what time is suitable. Of course if you are trying to fit it into a busy day, you will have to just work with what you have got, but it is often more achievable in a quiet place where you are free from distractions. It is important to build in a routine around your meditation too, so making a regular time and place for it can help you realise all the natural benefits meditation has to bring. Obviously, the more accomplished you get at it, the slightly more adaptable you may be able to be.
How will meditation help with self-improvement?
Now to the self-improvement aspect of meditation, of which there are many elements. Of course, the most obvious place to start is that daily meditation will result in a more relaxed state the rest of the day: reduced levels of stress will play an immediate role in helping to find a better you.
“The dangers of stress are well documented. I advise people just to take a moment to consider what elevated feelings of stress do to your body and mind over an extended period. Anything which helps to alleviate these levels of stress should be considered as advantageous,” recommends Hillary Scott, a consulting physician at 1day2write and Nextcoursework.
The next noticeable benefit of meditation is that you should be able to operate with a more relaxed, and clearer mind, which of course will immediately reap rewards in aspects of your life such as decision-making. A muddled mind is a mind which can often struggle to differentiate between the pros and cons of particular choices.
Then there is the medically-proven benefit of better sleep which comes from regular meditation. A relaxed mind is a mind which can more easily embrace the warm arms of sleep. And then the advantages of achieving a regular, good night’s sleep can be truly felt.
One further benefit of regular meditation is the actual confidence boost that achieving this state can bring. Often the one element preventing us revealing our true selves is a lack of confidence or self-belief, but with regular meditation, you can tap into your inner resources, begin to understand yourself better, and feel more at ease being yourself.
Michael Dehoyos, a consultant and writer at Thesis Help and PhdKingdom, is passionate about wellness, enjoying what life has to offer, and assisting people in making positive life decisions. You can also find Michael’s articles on an array of topics at Academic Brits, portal for students.