What is Mindfulness?

Embracing Meditation

Meditation is one of the best methods for healing.

Growing up if you would have told me I would be an advocate for yoga and meditation I would have laughed in your face. Two of my best friends used to love to meditate we’d go to a park by my friends house that had a beautiful little pond. They would sit with their legs crossed close their eyes and drift into their inner la la lands. First I’d fidget then I’d start singing in my head and within min I was up and throwing rocks in the pond.  Frankly I thought it was silly, but the joke was on me.  

Meditation is not for the “wo wo” tree huggin flower children of the world.

When you think of meditation if all that comes into your mind is a bunch of Buddhist monks on top of a mountain your not alone. However there are a many different types of meditation and “mindfulness” exercises as there are songs on your playlist. Here are a few of my favorites but I recommend you google and find the exercises that best fit your personality.

First thing is first. Always set an alarm if you are going to meditate. This way you can let yourself go and not have to keep interrupting yourself to check the time.

MUSIC

My absolute favorite type of meditation/mindfullness is “centering” myself through music. Don’t be scared if the phrase “finding your center” basically it just means find that spot in your mind where your body and soul are completely at rest and it’s like a cool breeze is running through your soul.

I turn the music up as loud and just rest myself into the music. Whether you just sit and embrace the song or let yourself dance as long as you are completely lost in the music and thinking of nothing else then guess what? You’re meditating.

If you find your mind wandering then focus on the melody or a particular instrument etc. Then just let yourself melt.

Empty Thoughts and “Post it’s”

My second favorite meditation is find a comfy place, someplace quiet, set your alarm and close your eyes. Relax

This is the hard part. Think of nothing.

Sounds impossible? Yeah I know. But every time a thought comes into your head imagine yourself writing that thought on a post it or piece of paper and then imagine putting it aside or the wind picking up the paper and have it dance away in the wind.

I know it sounds silly but I put the things I need to remember on post it’s and my negative thoughts on paper and pretend they blow away.

The more you do it the longer you will go without any thoughts. Then when your alarm rings you will be AMAZED at how wonderful and refreshed you will feel.

I recommend doing this before an important meeting or test if you can. You’ll perform so much better.

Ground Control to Major Tom (best way to manage pain)

Get comfy, set alarm, all that. The important part of this meditation is to relax and let your imagination take over. Whatever you imagine it’s right, each time you do it let yourself imagine more and more details. The first couple times you do this exercise you may want someone to read it to you.

Let’s begin.

Focus on specific parts of your body starting at your head, fingers or toes. Then focus on relaxing each part of the body. First your toes, then your feet, then your ankles then your calves etc. (if you are reading this to someone then specifically go through every part of the body)

If you don’t feel completely relaxed yet then imagine sand or water being poured into your body starting at your head or feet and is it fills up your body you feel the weight comfortably weighing you down.

When your relaxed imagine a staircase leading to a basement. Whatever you imagine, concrete stairs, wooden, brass whatever.

This staircase is leading to the part of your mind that controls every part of your body.

Imagine yourself walking down those stairs and with each step count down. 10, 9, 8…1

In front of you is a large door. Turn the handle and walk inside. This room is your bodies control room. Imagine all the levers, dials, and buttons. Each switch, lever and dial controls a different part of your body.

Where do you feel pain? Go to the dial, switch or button that controls that part of your body. Turn the lever you are now in control of that pain. Turn it down. Is your heart bothering you? Slow it down.

Let yourself spend time in your control room fiddle with your dials you are in control of your body.

Wait a few min.

When you’re done, go back to your door open it up and close it behind you. Now lock it. Only you are in charge of your body. Now walk back up the steps. Count every step and say to yourself “When I wake up I will be faster better stronger.”

10 when I wake I will be faster better stronger. 9 when I wake I will be faster better stronger….3 I am faster better stronger…1 I am faster better stronger.

Take a deep breath and open your eyes.

I have many more exercises especially ones that help center around pain. I will post them later.