Posted on May 21 2021
Today is World Meditation Day, a day that reminds us to slow down and take a moment for ourselves in this crazy busy life we lead.
My journey into meditation has at best been slow and at worst, sporadic or non existent. I love the idea of it and the underlying principles and benefits of it but I just can’t seem to commit to a daily practice. The best I have achieved was 24 days straight during COVID using my favourite guided meditation app, Insight Timer. It’s exciting to see the consecutive days get longer and longer but as soon as I miss one day, it’s back to square one and the motivation can slip away.
So why do I long for something I feel I’m no good at?
I have found what people say to be true. That even just 5 minutes of meditation a day, can really help ease stress and change your mindset. I notoriously have monkey mind and like many people these days, just can’t seem to switch off from the multitude of things I should/could/have/want to be doing. Especially at bed time, those thoughts just kick into overdrive and I can lie awake for hours before finally falling asleep. In saying that, when I have committed to a regular, albeit short term practice, I have truly noticed a difference in my outlook and general wellbeing.
And for something that was first found spoken of in written form in about 1500 BCE in India, and continues to be an integral part of not only many religions, but is also practised by those who are neither spiritual nor religious as a way of easing stress and clearing their mind, we know there must be something in it.