Let's Meditate

I was so excited this week to receive a link to an article entitled "Meditation boosts genes that promote good health" (click here).

It began with:
"Feeling run-down? Try a little chanting, or meditation - seriously. Such relaxation techniques can boost the activity of genes involved in several processes beneficial to health, and they only take a few minutes each day to show results."
Wow!  So it DOES work and here's yet another study showing how beneficial a relaxation, contemplation and/or meditation practice can be for us on many levels of body, mind and spirit.  Of course this is affirming news as I am approaching the eight year anniversary of my seated meditation practice.  Not only do I feel personally virtuous for keeping with my practice, but now I know that the chances of having longer telomeres is real!
So what is it that keeps us from sitting on the cushion every day?  Studies such as the one mentioned above abound.  We know it's good for us, yet sometimes it seems next to impossible to find the time.  Or when we do it, it feels unsatisfying because our thoughts can be rapid fire and overwhelming, how will we ever get this under any semblance of control?  Aren't we supposed to STOP THINKING?  Yikes!

On my most recent yoga retreat, the question was asked, "so when will it feel as though I've reached my goal in my meditation practice?".  My answer was simply, "There is no goal to be reached.  Our intention is to simply learn how to be present with what is.  We practice observing whatever might be arising in our experience, rather than taking purchase with our thoughts.  We see them come and go, without trying to judge, control, alter or stop any of it." 

In the moments where we notice that we've grabbed onto a particular thought and have followed it into either the past or future, or the "what if" scenario arises, is when we use simple tools to come back to the present.  Bringing our focus onto our breath or a mantra can anchor us back into the present moment.  Try chanting Om Mani Padme Hum (om man-eh pod-may hum), "the jewel in the heart of the lotus", 108 times and see how much else you can think about.  It's as though the tools are like someone holding up their hand to say STOP...and so we do and come back to the present.
One of my teachers once said that once you establish your meditation practice and you miss a session, it will be like leaving the house without having brushed your teeth.  And so it has become for me...part of my daily morning ritual.  It sets the tone for my day and anchors me into my deeper self.  I can set my intention, check in with that inner voice and witness what is circulating in my awareness.  It's as though it's my first appointment for the day and allows me to be ready to hold the space for all of the other appointments to follow.

One last reflection is worth sharing.  Your meditation practice is just that.  It's yours and it's a practice.  It's a personal experience that you can create any way that serves and supports you.  You have nothing to prove to anyone else and although many techniques exist for ways to actually meditate, finding what works for you is the right technique.  The one thing that all traditional meditation practices have in common is that it's seated.  Try launching your practice by sitting 5-10 minutes and building up towards 20-30 minutes.  The main idea is to just get to the cushion and sit.

And you never know...your telomeres might just get a bit longer as well!