“In the same way that rain breaks into a house with a bad roof, desire breaks into the mind that has not been practicing meditation”.- Anonymous.
Being and the Benefits of Meditation
“Meditation is like a gym in which you develop the powerful mental muscles of calm and insight.”
– Ajahn Brahm
Top 3 Excuses for not Meditating, and how to overcome them
Meditation and its benefits – You probably keep hearing how meditation is so good for you and hopefully you also keep thinking to yourself “I really should start doing that”?! So what is stopping you? Below I’ll share with you the Top 3 Excuses for not Meditating that I hear from my clients when I suggest that it would be a good idea for them to consider meditation as a tool to improve their wellbeing. More importantly I will tell you how to overcome these excuses!
But first, why should you meditate?
So, what are you missing out on by not meditating? Meditation has been around for thousands of years and now has been scientifically proven to be good for us! It is not just some hippie, woo woo practice that people in flowing purple robes do on mountain tops! Many of the world’s most successful people – think Tony Robbins, Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Katy Perry, Clint Eastwood – all practice meditation! Why? Because meditation makes you better at life!! (I stole that from Emily Fletcher, meditation teacher to the stars at Ziva Meditation in New York).
Neurologists have now been able to prove that meditation actually changes the structure and function of the brain – for the better! – including improving the connections between the right and left hemispheres. In today’s world we use our left brain far more than our right brain – we are always trying to think, do, achieve, analyse, succeed. The right brain controls our creativity, intuition and imagination and actually fires up when we are not DOING. Now, have a think about it – how often are you actually not DOING something? There is always a social media feed to check or Netflix to watch. We are never bored and our creativity is suffering!
What are the benefits of Meditation for your wellbeing?
Meditation reduces stress, pain, depression and anxiety. As mentioned before, Meditation improves the function of your brain – including the ability to concentrate and focus, and it therefore increases your productivity. It also improves the quality of your sleep and your connection with yourself. Very importantly meditation also boosts the function of the immune system. Do you really need more? Yes?! Well then meditation – because it makes you a calmer, nicer person overall – also improves the quality of your relationships and (drum roll…) your sex life! So if that all sounds good but you’re still going to give me an excuse please keep reading. If you’re already convinced, then off you go – get meditating!
Do you meditate?
As a part of the personal care partnership that I form with my clients I ensure that I have a good understanding of all aspects of their wellbeing so that I can help them to (1) begin to understand potential underlying causes of their wellbeing concerns and (2) take practical, proactive steps to work on improving their wellbeing outside of our sessions together. So one of the questions that I always ask is “do you meditate?” And I continue to hear these excuses for not meditating!
Top 3 Excuses for not Meditating, and how to overcome them
I don’t have enough time | I’m too busy
Okay, so if Steve Jobs and Oprah Winfrey can make time to meditate so can you! The thing to remember is that you don’t need to have a spare uninterrupted half hour every day to start a mediation practice. Even if you just do 5 minutes a day, that is better than no minutes! Think of every 5 minutes of meditation as another brick in your meditation wall (I stole that from Reiki Master Erik Teichmann). This meditation wall is what gives you a buffer against all the stressors in life, improving your resilience. Could you set your alarm 10 minutes earlier and meditate first thing in your day? Science tells us that this is the absolute best time to meditate (for brain benefits), plus then it’s done!
I can’t stop thinking
Can you stop your heart from beating? No. You also can’t stop your mind from thinking – that is what it is designed to do! Even when you are sleeping your mind is still thinking! So meditation is not about having an ‘empty’ mind. It is about having a mindful focus on one thing. Your thoughts will come and go – just notice them and return to the point of your focus. Most commonly you will focus on your breath or a mantra – which literally means ‘mind vehicle’ – and is a word or a few words. Depending on the type of meditation you choose you may also be focussing on different parts of your body, some beautiful music or a voice guiding you on a journey.
I tried meditating before and I can’t do it
If I told you that you needed to jump on a horse tomorrow and take off at a gallop for 5 kilometres what would you say? Your answer would probably involve swearing or a moment from the movie The Castle “tell her she’s dreamin’”!! (NB. Obviously if you are a horsey person that is a bad example!) The point is, it is called a mediation practise for a good reason. It is just that, a practise ie. you have to practise at it. It is the same as any new skill. With so many great benefits from something that is pretty painless to undertake (certainly a lot less painful than falling off a galloping horse!) this is something really worth practicing!
There are many great meditation teachers around but to make things super simple, I recommend that you just find a meditation app that you like and get started. Remember the best first step to take, is to take a step!! Common apps that are often referred to are: Headspace, Calm and Smiling Mind. My personal favourite is Insight Timer (where I am also a teacher).
If you would like any more information about meditation – or anything else to do with your Wellbeing – please reach out.
Oh and by the way, Reiki also has many of the same benefits as meditation such as stress reduction, a balanced mind, improvement in focus and immunity! Why not give it a try? Book NOW!
Podcast Episodes Featuring Meditation Experts
I am also a Teacher on Insight Timer – which just happens to be my favourite meditation app! – with thousands of different types of meditations as well as music and courses.
FREE Meditation Sessions – Reiki Relaxation Circle Recordings
WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY
“I have been having Reiki Sessions for over 30 years albeit always hands-on. Even though intellectually I understood that remote healing works equally as effectively, I was still tentative about it (during Covid-19 lockdown). After my first remote session I came out of it feeling exactly the same as a hands-on session and over the following week to ten days those benefits were sustained. My doubts are banished and I will be continuing with remote Reiki in total confidence.”
“As always a great Remote Reiki session. I am feeling calm and centred once again and my physical aches and pains have lessened. Thank you Arwen.”
“Being new to Reiki I appreciated the full and detailed explanation you provided and felt safe and comfortable throughout. I also appreciated the debrief at the conclusion.”
“I really enjoy Reiki and have found it makes a real difference in my life and wellbeing.”
“I felt amazing after my first reiki session and Arwen was very accommodating with appointments! Will definitely be back.”
“Great experience. My lower back is certainly better by Monday also.”
“Great Reiki! So much more grounded and less in my head. I have been doing your suggested Yoga poses too. I walked out leaving all my stress and worry behind.
Thank you Arwen.”