What is meditation?

Meditation is not about becoming a different person, a new person, or even a better person. Meditation is a simple wellness practice that focuses on training your awareness, focus, and getting a healthy sense of perspective. This is by learning to observe your feelings and thoughts without judgment through meditation, and you will start to face them with greater balance and acceptance over time. Also, research has shown that meditation can reduce stress and anxiety and increase calmness and clarity and promote happiness as well.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness. It is quite a straightforward word. It is the human ability to be fully present and engaged to what is happening in the moment, to the space you are moving through. It is the idea of being aware of your thoughts and feelings without any judgment or disturbance. It is a quality that we all human beings already possess, and not something that has to be picked up, we just simply need to learn how to reach it.

When you are in a state of mindfulness, it can help to reduce stress, enhance performance, gain awareness and attention to self and others’ well-being.

How to start meditating?

There is no such thing as a perfect meditation. There will be times where your mind and thoughts will wander, and you will forget to follow your breath. That is okay because meditation takes consistent practice to get comfortable, and we are here to help you.

There are many ways to meditate and there is no right or wrong way to do it, so whatever that resonates for you works. Here are some of the few basic steps on how to meditate for beginners.

1.     Get comfortable on a cushion or a chair in a quiet space.

Make sure there will be no disturbance and interruption. You should sit straight but do not be too stiff, as your body should feel comfortable and relaxed.

2.      Set a timer for your desired meditation duration.

 It can be a simple 5-minute session for beginners, and you can work your way up to longer sessions, at your own pace after more practice.

3.     Breathe naturally and focus on your breath.

Breathe naturally through your nose. Your eyes can be open or closed. Focus on the breath moving in and out of your nostrils, or on the rise and fall of your belly.

4.     Notice your feelings and thoughts.

Take note of the feelings and sensations that you experience as you inhale and exhale, sometimes it can even lead to thoughts and feelings that are uncomfortable. Your mind is bound to wander. When that happens, do not obsess over the thoughts you find yourself lost in and gently bring your attention and focus back to the breath again.

5.     End the meditation with a kind and open mind.

Once the timer is up and when you are ready, take a moment and notice how your body feels at that moment. Notice your thoughts and emotions.

That is the way to go! Accept your thoughts and feelings as kindly as possible.

It is okay for your mind to wander during a meditation session. You should acknowledge these thoughts without judging them. The practice of meditation is not about suppressing the thoughts but surpassing them. Meditation is where the journey is more important than the destination, so remember, consistency is key! Join us to reap the benefits of meditation today!