I won’t meditate. How can a yoga teacher trained over 20 years ago, long before yoga was the ubiquitous activity it is today say something as blasphemous as this?
Yes, that’s me. The yoga teacher and anti-meditator. Makes no sense, does it? Why not mediate? Especially when the benefits of meditation have been scientifically proven through research, and when my medical doctor in fact recommends it.
When I say, “I won’t meditate,” what I’m actually saying is that I won’t confine myself to the rigid ideas that so many of us, including myself, have when it comes to meditation. What do you think of when you hear the word “meditate”? I know what pops into my head –sitting alone in a room in total stillness, on an ugly cushion with my back so straight my spine aches just imagining it, trying to be calm, when a zillion thoughts are swirling through my middle aged, neurotic, Jewish mind.
That’s why I’ve given up on the word “meditation.” While many would argue that I do actually meditate, I had to let go of the m-word along with all of my preconceived notions about it, so that I could truly engage in a mindful practice and open myself to the healing benefits of contemplative self-observation.
What do I call this practice? Listening. What does it entail for me? Here’s a brief description.
- Location –Inside or outside; both are fine.
- Position –Sometimes I like to lie down, other times sit, or stand.
- Motion –Gentle stillness, rolling around the floor, or quiet walking outside all work equally well.
- Sound –Silence is peaceful and most often a welcome preference, though singing or chanting mantra are beautiful alternatives that I enjoy on rare occasions.
- Awareness –In this process that I prefer to call “listening,” rather than “meditation,” I am simply stay present with myself and whatever is.
Many of you may be wondering, what does she actually do?! Well, my non-mediation of choice is gentle stretching. I like to lie down on the ground (I’ve usually been on my feet most of the day cooking, cleaning, and taking pictures for this website) and I want to recharge my adrenals (lying down helps with this).
During this practice I watch my thoughts float through my head like clouds in the sky. Sometimes this actually happens. At other times, my thoughts are less like clouds and more like children shouting for attention. It can get really loud in my head. Thankfully, hanging out with this cacophony for a few of minutes calms down the veritable storm of ideas, feelings and sensations that run through me. When I slow down and listen, I can hear what’s going on inside. Listening to myself, and being heard allows my mind to come into neutral, and that is when I begin to sink into my body and feel the bliss of true relaxation.
There’s a look into my daily relaxation practice! What do you do each day to nurture your body, mind and spirit?
Leslie says
I took yoga for awhile. It became clear that I spent so much time trying to breathe right, and keep my body relaxed, and get the positions correct, that it was never relaxing!
What works for me is similar to others who have commented.
Reading and thinking about God’s word and his calming and peaceful influence, which as He says, “passes all understanding.”
That has been better than anything else I’ve tried.
Annetta Black says
I’m not Jewish. But I surely do enjoy your website and recipes and your relaxation wisdom. I too have Celiac and other digestive issues, so any time I am able to truly listen and relax, I take the opportunity to do so. I don’t use the word meditation for the same reasons you spoke of. Thank you Elana for being you in your recipes and in your writing.
Very warmly and sincerely,
Annetta Black
Catherine says
Thank you for sharing this about yourself. I have really enjoyed and have been grateful for, all your efforts in that paleo way, and this is a little different…. and I appreciate what you wrote. As for myself…… I’m still figuring that out. I am simply allowing myself to notice my breath throughout the day.. sometimes stopping to do so, other times, doing so while I’m doing whatever it is I am doing. Observing my breath is a rather constant meditation. It seems to be working for me, I got it from Panache Desai. He has helped me nearly as much as you have!!!!!! He was just in Denver. Did you see him????
Susan says
Thank You Elana, for challenging us all to think about this. Hmm – I think of meditation as a state of being, not a specified practice with any rules, and it doesn’t matter if you are Jewish, Hindu, or any other religion. I feel like I have succeeded in getting to that state when I can plop there at any time in any situation, even if just for a few minutes. I then feel ‘in tune’. Not sure if this makes sense to anyone but me :)
Irene says
Thank you for this personal sharing of yourself. Watching, listening and embracing one’s thoughts makes more sense to me than emptying one’s mind. I have experienced what happens to you in my own ways, thank you for confirming my own practices.
audrey michelle says
hi elana –
i was introduced to your site by a mutual colleague – i’m so glad he told me about your blog, as you have similar values as me and mine.
i had a similar revelation this week – i decided to write my own ‘rule book’ regarding my spiritual practices toward more peace and joy. and like you, i prefer not to have a set of specifics to follow regarding meditation {or anything, really}… i just find that we get too attached to “words” and their meanings… i believe the intelligence behind our bodies will guide us where we need to go, and our intuition will give us a “feeling” to tap into – and that is enough. and for me, the more consistent i am with creating that space to “stay in touch”, the more clear and “in tune” i actually feel…
thank you for sharing this, and for letting me share my thoughts.
and i agree with elyse – get me out in nature, and it’s like i’m in a trance. ;)
Joyce says
Meditation um, I have been practicing for many years and find the sitting and rigidity of my early instruction very confining. So, like you have loosened up and do it my way which means it is more organic and enjoyable. I also have a Tai Chi practice which takes up 4 mornings a week and has done an enormous amount of good for my physical strength and sense of well being. Because I have many allergies and Celiac I need to slow my inner mental pace to lower the stress on my body so between my form of meditation and Tai Chi I feel my progress has been substantial.
I am past any ones idea of comfortable middle age but yet I am both physically and mentally very active and still a producing and exhibiting artist. I want to keep as many of life’s doors open as possible.
marian says
I love to lay out on my patio swing and listen to the birds sing and the water flowing in my pond. I also read out there because it is so peaceful. I can hardly wait for the dry weather!
Chara says
Thanks, Elana! I love your blog, and I really appreciate your views on this topic. I’m aiming for ANY regular daily meditative-type practice, so I appreciate knowing what yours is.
Debbie says
med·i·tate [med-i-teyt]
verb (used without object), med·i·tat·ed, med·i·tat·ing.
1. to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect.
2. to engage in transcendental meditation, devout religious contemplation, or quiescent spiritual introspection
I seems that you all meditate! It seems that the negativity is towards one type of meditation rather that the general meaning. Meditation is what most of those (if not all) are describing. What you and the others seem “anti” is a specific form of meditation – perhaps TM. Here is a question: is it better to find a new name or adjust one’s thoughts as to the true meaning of a very descriptive word?