March Meditation

And just like that, we are more than halfway through the month of March! Our month of focusing on food flew by, and we’re onto a new focus this month – meditation! Of course, every day we are trying to be more intentional about the choices we make, and perhaps March’s focus on meditation will help us along this journey.

So why meditation? This year we are trying to find more joy by doing things that are good for us, and both ancient wisdom and modern research indicate that a regular meditation practice is beneficial – so we’re putting it to the test.

Ahhh….deep breath in and slowly exhaling….

I have spent the past two weeks pondering the reason why I want to restart a practice of meditation.  The simple answer is that I know it will provide many therapeutic benefits…. the more complex reality is that I struggle every day with the constant chatter and churn of thoughts that run through my mind, and facing this in a real way can feel scary and somewhat bigger than me.  Not to mention that it can feel like another ‘to do’.

A few years back guided meditation helped me gain the peace in my heart and mind to make a significant decision about a career move.  I am incredibly grateful that I was introduced to meditation when I needed it so desperately. I had a special friend teach me and support me. The ability to quiet the mind, to reflect more authentically on how I am feeling about truly important matters in life – not the seemingly urgent every day matters that can block out the joy and create a barrier to the way we want to live our life – is a skill requiring patience and readiness. It may be this readiness I am struggling with right now.

Meg and I both find insight from reading and learning from others, and so Sit Like A Buddha – A Pocket Guide to Meditation by Lodro Rinzler seemed a perfect resource this month.  One of the first messages in this guide is that a meditation practice is hard. Being clear on what is motivating the desire to meditate is essential. I find myself at another crossroad in my life, and I am motivated by the idea that an open heart and clear mind are the foundations required to make key decisions where you are able to take the next step with confidence and courage.  

So that is why we are focusing on meditation this month. To open our hearts, clear our minds, and be able to step forward into a life with even more joy.