Why I Meditate

You may have heard or read about the positive psychological effects meditation can have on our health, (for example decrease anxiety, depression, and emotional reactivity) but for myself at least, that’s not the primary motivation for carving out a short amount of time each day to sit in silence.

So why do I meditate?

For me, meditation can be like a challenging physical workout, or like when my parents insisted on me taking a shower when I was a young child… I was resistant to jumping in, but when I actually got in, I was so happy I did it. (With the shower, I remember whining about getting in, but then making a fuss about having to get out!)

I meditate to restart the clock, to wipe the slate clean. I create the space to click refresh on my mind and reboot. And it takes 10 minutes!

I don’t go into meditation seeking creative inspiration, however, I am often visited by a creative spirit. New and unexpected ideas seem to visit me without the forced conjure of a brainstorm session.

On this September morning as I sat on my cushion and settled in, I felt a soft chill of air tingle my bare forearm. I briefly contemplated getting up to put on a sweatshirt. It sounds mundane really, but it was a moment of noticing. A moment of awareness allowing me to check in to my body. This experience opened a door to my senses and led to unintended creative inspiration.

The goal of meditation, as I have been taught, and I practice, is not to stop thinking, but instead, allow thoughts to come and go with ease, with attention, with softness.

Meditation has changed my life significantly for the better.

Send me a note, or comment below about your interest or experience with meditation.