Why Meditate? Part 2

Welcome to part two of this mini-series which explores why meditation might benefit you. If you missed part one, go back to the last blog and have a quick read. In this blog I will explore the topic of space.

Not the Saturn and rockets kind of space, but the space that is afforded to you if you take the time to build your mindful meditation practice. I promise you, this one really is a game changer!

When we first sit down to learn to meditate it can feel overwhelming because there can be so many thoughts and indeed other things to notice. Mindfulness, as we know, isn’t about blocking anything out it is about becoming aware of what is unfolding in any given moment. We learn that whatever comes into our field of awareness, be it a sound of a car or a remembered item on a shopping list or the sensation of a headache, we can watch those things arise. We can choose to simply observe them, and we can watch as they fade away again.

The power of observation is a far reaching.

Let’s take the example of a stressful situation. Let’s imagine are having a minor disagreement with a loved one. Picture it now. See if you can recall how it feels at the start of an argument and perhaps remember how you responded the last time it happened. Most likely there was a feeling of annoyance or even anger. You may not have been able to sense that in your body, but cognitively you knew you were cross and proceeded to retort. To defend yourself, to have your say.

When we learn to meditate and hone our awareness, we can be far more tuned in to what is happening.

So, for example, when it becomes apparent that there is an argument on the bubble, we might be able to feel our heart start to race. The palms of our hands might sweat, an uneasiness in the tummy may surface. In other words, you are very much aware of the physical signs of stress in your own body.

‘How does that help me?’ I hear you lament.

Well, with your newfound awareness comes space. You are aware of what’s happening in your body, of the thoughts that you’re having, and you can hear and see your partner/sibling/child getting cross. You can then, thanks to your brain training, allow it all to be this way while you make a measured decision about how to respond.

Rather than flying off the handle (sorry, was that just me?) you could choose to respond in any number of ways. A carefully constructed sentence at conversational volume; a choice to sit down and invite the other person to do the same; maybe words aren’t in fact appropriate and some other gesture is.

The point isn’t so much what action (or none) you choose to take. The point is you could choose! No more automatic reactions; hello measured responses. How does that sound? What if you had this level of agency in any situation? Could that be a superpower? Although a superpower implies it is inherently within you, whereas this ability is a learned skill.

And if that doesn’t sound appealing enough, get this. The change that is brought about in your body by practising mindful meditation enables you to recover far more quickly! Any emotion can dissipate (they say within about 90 seconds) and your nervous system will recalibrate by the time the kettle has boiled.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get stuck in! Get in touch about how to learn 1-1, join my Monday class online 7pm, or select the on-demand 8-week course in my shop if you’re ready to learn the theory and the practice but would like to do it in your own time.