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.
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There’s a look into my daily relaxation practice! What do you do each day to nurture your body, mind and spirit?
Judith Fine-Sarchielli says
how interesting and synchronistic. I do exactly what you do and call it “Mindfulness”. I like “Listenening” too. Good for us!
Patti says
I’m Celtic… so I’ve broken the lovely pattern here. :-) I agree completely that too much is made of meditating the correct way. I often sit and breathe in affirmations and then relax into the sweetness of peace that comes from gentle breathing and listening to silence. When we can give ourselves permission to just “be” and just “breathe” amazing transformations can happen. Thank you for this encouraging post. Namaste’
anne ross says
I am not Jewish and I am introspective. Meditation is too inward for me, I need outward and to be looking at others rather than myself. Too much introspection is dangerous. Instead, I pray, to the ONE who is, who creates all and watches over all. I ask for what I need and then offer up all my loves and loved ones.
DEANNA says
Thanks for this article! I have felt so guilty not “sitting” and “meditating” but realize my daily walks with my dog in the rock cliffs behind my house are my meditation. I find such peace feeling the breeze and morning sun. I feel so in tune with the Universe. It works for me. The goal is quieting the “chatter” in whatever way that works for each of us.
Kathy says
I’ve always been too nervous to empty my whole mind so the meditation idea has never appealed to me as relaxing. I like to do yoga and I also like to take time alone in my room just to pray and read. That calms me. Also being out in nature is marvellous to calm the mind. Taking a walk is great for that. Don’t think I’d ever like to meditate and nice to hear other people feel the same way.
Kelly says
LOVE :-) and love you :-)
Resurgent says
Long time reader, first time commenting.
Meditation in a Non Doing… it is a way of life.
The Upanishads (Ancient Indian texts) have put meditation after devotion. If there is devotion in your heart, then you cannot imagine how easy it is to lead your mind into meditation. If there is trust, then devotion follows it like a shadow. If there is trust and devotion, then meditation will follow like a fragrance. Meditation becomes difficult because we know neither trust nor devotion and we have to make efforts at meditation directly. But to try for meditation directly creates difficulty, because then you have to put great efforts into meditation and still the results will not be that much because the two basic ingredients are not there.
A person who is filled with love for the whole existence will have no problems moving into meditation. They will simply remember meditation and they will be in meditation because there is no conflict, no tension in them. Tension enters when you think that the world is an enemy. Tension comes when you feel existence is your opponent, where there is a fight going on, where life is a battlefield, a war. With no tension, the trusting and devoted moves into meditation – just like that.
This is why some ‘devotees’ have even gone so far as to say, “What meditation, what spiritual practice?” There is a reason for this. ‘Devotees’ say, “What meditation, what practice?” because devotion is enough. And they are speaking rightly. They are right: not because meditation is meaningless, but because meditation happens to them spontaneously.
A dancer who is devoted to their dance, dances and she enters meditation; she has never learned any techniques of meditation. A wood cutter is chopping a tree in the woods, completely devoted to his work, just slips into meditation. He has no notion of meditation: “What Meditation?”
The ‘devotee’ does not know that he is in meditation because to him meditation is a by-product; it follows him. It is there as a spontaneous outcome of his trust and devotion.
And the very last thing is yoga. When one has mastered meditation, yoga will follow on its own. But everyone does just the opposite: people start with yoga and then they practice meditation. Then they think they can in some way bring devotion in by manipulating things this way and that, and they expect to somehow find trust in the end. But when a person’s mind slips into meditation, then his body will move into yoga.
Yoga is a happening in the body and meditation is a happening in the mind.
Judith Fine-Sarchielli says
This is one of the most clear and true statements about meditation I have read. Thanks you Resurgent!
Salixisme says
I do a lot of mindful meditations in the bath every single night. (a good place to contemplate anyway), but I do love yoga. And as a massage therapist I am always telling my clients to stretch more (I do 30 min stretching routine every day that works every major muscle group in my body)
terese says
Jewish, whether by emotional or spiritual heritage – yes! I read the Bible then talk, and listen, to God about what I’ve read. While “working” in my organic garden, weather permitting – lots of stretching and quiet, there!
Jacqie says
One more thing to share. I have recently become aware of listening to my own voice. Outside of all the other relationships, obligations and responsibilities in my life (most of them joyful) there is a voice that speaks to me; my own voice. And too often I allow that voice to be swallowed up by everything else. I just spent a great deal of time on a very isolated island (lucky me!) and during all that quiet time I started to hear myself again. I suppose I experienced an extended meditative state, effortlessly. It should be effortless.