5 Things Skeptics Should Know About Meditation

Remember when you were a kid, and you would hear that saying about life: "It's like riding a bike, you must keep going"? That's kind of like what meditation tries to teach you as an adult, just not in so many words. When people think of "meditating" they imagine stillness, nothingness, self-discipline and ultimately, uncomfortable silence. This is understandable and, of course, could always be some people's experience, but it is definitely not the rule. (There are no rules — that's rule number one.)

What we know is that meditation is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body mind and spirit, and this is why: the act of meditation is simply just allowing. It is taking a moment to just be. It is practicing letting thoughts bubble up and pass, without becoming attached or distracted by them. This does not mean you push them away or ignore them; it means you acknowledge them and then allow them to keep moving on. The reason why it takes meditation — complete stillness — to do this most effectively is because to fully acknowledge and validate your thoughts and emotions, you must be completely present with them. While we're busy going through our other tasks of the day, this can be hard, if not impossible.

If you're interested in meditation, but don't have time to sit and "just breathe" for an hour a day, or feel like you couldn't sit still regardless, but aren't sure where to start, here's a step-by-step guide to what you need to know to begin. If you want to adopt a more formal, zen practice, there are other resources that can help you with exercises and positioning, but for now, let's start at the beginning, shall we?

Meditation Is About Non-Resistance

There is no one position, or method, that will work for everyone, but for most people, working with your breath is the key. It pulls you into a very deep, calm place within yourself, and by just observing your breath as it naturally does the work for you, you begin to allow. Then turn your attention to your focus: when thoughts bubble up, don't try to control them, just allow them as well. The more you allow, the more at peace you will feel.

It Takes Presence To Allow Non-Resistance

As I said before, the only way to validate and release those emotions and thoughts is to be fully aware of them. This is why quieting everything around you is so effective.

Ten Minutes A Day Is More Than Enough

That's usually the magic number for most people who aren't interested in exploring the deeper parts of their zen. It's enough that it feels reasonable, doable daily, and recharges you just enough to power through the rest of your day.

You Can Meditate Anywhere, And Should

Learn to take a few deep breaths and re-center in the middle of a work meeting, during a heated argument, when you're feeling anxious —your quality of life will be better for it.

There Are Countless Guided Meditations Available To Help Walk You Through Anything You Want To Address

If you're starting to feel like "free form" meditation is just too daunting, start with guided meditations. They are available all over YouTube, and for different purposes as well: healing, self-confidence, relationship issues, anything you can think of. What you'll often find is that the point of guided meditation is to accomplish a goal: uncover an answer, feel calm. But the point of meditation as a whole is to be without goals — which is what you should keep in mind while you do them.

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