Why you really should make time to meditate

By now most people are at least aware that meditation provides some benefits. Many still think they don’t have enough time or they can’t achieve a “still” mind so choose not to do it. With these common thoughts it’s understandable why folks my put it off or look at it as a luxury rather than a necessity. This is an unfortunate thought! If you knew that a regular meditation practice could be an antidote to the rampant mental illness in our society would you reconsider? Look at the usage of anti depressants, anti anxiolytics and sleep aids being prescribed these days and it’s enough to see we have a very sick culture! What is happening here? According to the ancient wisdom tradition of Ayurveda, the oldest successful healing system on the planet, a daily meditation practice is imperative for a healthy experience in life. In fact, meditation is referred to as Raja Yoga – the Royal Path. All the other yoga practices are preparation for this most important practice as the 8 limbs of yoga teaches us. Why? It’s not so easy to see what exactly is happening when one meditates because the benefits are accruing in a realm you can’t measure. Our minds are comprised of three levels – conscious, subconscious, and unconscious. We have awareness of our conscious mind which is only about 10%. We are being driven and making decisions from our sub and unconscious minds which is the other 90%. This is why it can be so difficult to reach goals that we set for ourselves. Perhaps one wants to lose weight, quit an unhealthy habit, attract abundance or a healthy relationship but can’t. That’s because he is acting from deep embedded patterns that can be almost impossible to change with desire only – in Ayurveda this pattern is referred to as a samskara. In order to change this pattern one must access this deep level in the mind and meditation is the way to go about it! One plants the intention of the desire and then lets go or detaches from the outcome and meditates. With a regular meditation practice the mind is able to process the thousands and thousands of thoughts, emotions and experiences in one’s life and open to a much more creative expansive field of possibilities. Without processing all of those thoughts, emotions and experiences we clog our subconscious mind which then overflows and clogs our unconscious mind. This my friend leads to a big mental illness – solutions are impossible to see, anxiety, depression and insomnia rule and reactivity is sadly what one automatically turns to rather than calm creative responses. What is happening with a regular meditation practice is one is able to digest all those thoughts, emotions and experiences and unclutter the mind. Ayurveda would refer to this as digestion in the mind with Agni (fire) by way of a meditation practice. One of my teachers likened this to viewing the mind as the overflowing trash can on your computer screen which clearly, a mind like that would be agitated, and emptying that trash one meditation at a time, like pushing the empty trash button daily! One needs to make the transition responsibly and certainly consult with your practitioner before tossing the drugs as that could be quite shocking to the body! Years ago I had a time of terrible insomnia and my doctor convinced me to take ambien. It was awful stuff, took me away from myself and did not give me the deep rest that I needed. It was a crutch which was OK in that it was a holding space until I found Primordial Sound Meditation.  I fortunately weaned off of it because of the above reasons. I did this as I began my regular Primordial Sound Meditation practice and am happy to say now that a night of insomnia is the exception rather than the rule! My meditation practice is one of the most valued parts of my life and I love teaching/coaching others in this healing practice! If you are ready to explore and embrace a meditation practice please contact me!