Sarah Linton
Professional & Personal Coach
How To Define Meditation
The English Cambridge dictionary defines Meditation as the act of giving your attention to only ONE thing, either as a religious activity or as a way of becoming calm and relaxed.
Yoga international defines Meditation or –DYANA – as a precise technique for resting the mind and attaining a state of consciousness that is totally different from the normal waking state.
In a few short years, meditation practice is being fully embraced – along with a healthy approach to nourishing & moving our bodies — it’s now one of our 5 core pillars of wellbeing. We are huge fans of radical wellbeing.
Since starting a meditation habit, my brain has literally been rewired for happiness, peace & success. I find happiness and calm in unexpected places. By far the most notable change is an inner connection to peace that slowly permeates into every area of my life.
Photo Credit Maridav | Are you getting your Zen on?
Photograph by _______ from ______
Initially, I felt awkward with a sense of judgement by others. When I closed my eyes I would see images & hear my nearest and dearest saying, “gone to her whacky-mat again.” That monkey mind was hardly conducive to the joy, peace and harmony of meditation.
Within weeks I was able to let those images go & commit to and engage in the daily 45-minute practice. And if I happen to miss it – whoah …look out world… I feel it!
5 Fun Facts
1) The number of meditators across the globe tripled between 2012- 2019
2) Since 2012 the number of children meditating has increased by 800%
3) Apple named mental wellness/mindfulness apps the #1 app trend of 2018.
4) Headspace App has 40 million users in 190 countries. More than 300 companies, including Google, LinkedIn, GE, Adobe, Genentech and Unilever, are offering Headspace to employees as a health and wellness benefit.
5) Calm App had 40 million downloads – and “well over” 1 million paying subscribers.
WHY are we seeking out MEDITATION?
The growth is part of the snowballing momentum of our “anxiety economy”.
The trends are due to the behaviours of habit and continually being available – the smartphone, the 24-hour bad news cycle, social media & climate change stress.
In a frenetic world of change, immediacy, busy-ness and information overload, what could serve us better than finding a way to be with the moment giving our minds a chance to rest and recuperate?
Who Is Meditating?
The simple answer is… we ALL are & we ALL can!
Yes, there are some big names doing it – Oprah Winfrey, Hugh Jackman, Richard Branson, Famous athletes, Deepak Chopra, Arianna Huffington to name but a few … take a look here at the list of outrageously successful people who are getting their zen on.
The rising tide of meditation is surfing the same growing trend and impact as the Yoga practice did 25 years ago…. & I did both!
Why Is Meditation So On Trend?
There’s a reason why too… There is scientific evidence of its benefits and that meditation is a uniquely powerful solution for our stressed-out, digitally addicted & distracted times.
The evidence shows how meditation is the anxiety-attacking and
focus-restoring choice of many – not just the Celebs, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs & government leaders, Meditation is becoming the choice of masses because it underpins our wellness.
Meditation is for you, me, your mum or your dad, your brother or sister, your children, your auntie or uncle, your grandparent, your boss, your colleague, your peer and your friends.
The better news is that the more we practice, we embed the habit and the more we connect to the health benefits. This is juicy stuff!
Meditation is a science, which means it follows a process:
⇒ Has a particular order.
⇒ Has definite principles.
⇒ Produces results that can be verified.
In Meditation:
♦ The mind is clear, relaxed, focussed inwardly.
♦ You are fully awake and alert.
♦ Your mind is not focused on the external world or on the events taking place around you.
Meditation requires an inner state that is still and one-pointed so that the mind becomes silent.
Photo Credit nickolya| And Breathe
We need to look after our physical wellness as well as our mental and energetic wellness.
Meditation is often referred to as a way of getting a sweat-on for our internal world.
I find it inspiring to observe how this science & art is being integrated into our daily routines and having a significant impact on our wellbeing and vitality.
+ 3 additional bonuses
1) Meditation is fully accessible to all
2) Minimal Costs – if any AND
3) We can do it wherever we are.
It’s here and it’s here to stay.
If you have not tried it before, we invite you to try it on.
A complete workout for the minds. And so many ticks on the benefits list.
Tell us how it is for you!
SEE our THRIVE ZEN 10 BLOGS :
PART 1 – 0 PHYSICAL HEALTH BENEFITS of MEDITATION
A complete workout for the mind… And so many ticks on the benefits list!
Takeaways
- Meditation and Mindfulness are being embraced as a global movement.
- Scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Easy to access and the rewards are numerous.
- It is time to get your Zen on!
What differences do you notice on the days you meditate and the ones you don’t? Let us know. Leave a comment below
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