| Meditation is not only good for your health, it is | | | | my attention back to my breath. This helps me |
| necessary! The problem is that in our fast-paced | | | | to calm my body and to solve problems more |
| western culture, we've forgotten how to stop | | | | easily. |
| and just 'be'. | | | | When I stop and sit, I pay attention to any |
| Meditation is simply about becoming more aware | | | | strong emotions. |
| of what's happening within you without any | | | | For example, I may notice anger, fear, grief, |
| judgments. | | | | happiness, excitement, and sadness. I try to meet |
| People often tell me they want to learn to | | | | each experience with kindness. I try not to cling |
| meditate but they can't sit still. They think they're | | | | to or reject anything. Sometime emotions get |
| doing something wrong because they are unable | | | | stronger, sometimes they weaken. 'It's all good' |
| to block out thoughts. Sound familiar? | | | | so to speak. |
| When I stop and sit, the first thing I pay attention | | | | It's important to acknowledge whatever feelings |
| to is my breathing. | | | | are true. Repressing them can make us sick or |
| First I take a few full breaths and then I notice | | | | cause us to freak out at the smallest thing. When |
| where I feel my breath. I may notice the air | | | | we do this we end up causing harm to ourselves |
| moving in and out through my nose, or I might | | | | and others. When I stop and sit, I pay attention |
| feel my chest or abdomen gently rising and falling. | | | | to sensations in my body. |
| I let my attention rest wherever I feel my breath | | | | I might notice warmth, coolness, tightness, tingling, |
| the most. | | | | aching, pain, relaxation, tension, hunger, thirst, |
| When I stop and sit, I pay attention to the | | | | fatigue...whatever. Some sensations are pleasant, |
| thoughts going through my mind. | | | | others unpleasant. When I pay attention they |
| I'm typically planning, worrying, problem solving, or | | | | may get more intense or weaken. I notice the |
| remembering. These are all thoughts about the | | | | ebb and flow. |
| future or the past...neither of which I have control | | | | The body is always sending us messages through |
| of! | | | | sensations. We might miss important information |
| The present moment is the only moment we | | | | which could lead to illness or injury. When we are |
| have control of. Sometimes I notice myself | | | | tuned into the body, we can take better care of |
| having the same worrisome thought over and | | | | ourselves. |
| over again. When this happens I constantly bring | | | | |