Throughout my experience as a teacher and healer, one of the answers to many of life's questions and goals can be found in meditation. And invariably, one of the answers I receive back is that people don't know how to, or can't meditate.

Meditation is one of the major keys to probably everything we would like to create in out life. People want the quick, the easy. But meditation can be both of those things once you throw out the "shoulds" in your expectations of it and find out what works for you.

I think a large part of the reason people don't meditate is the misconception of what it is. Many people have the misconception that you must set aside long periods of time in order for it to be beneficial. Many have visions of a person sitting in a sparse monk like room, in the lotus position with empty minds. For most of us in this modern world, this is a rarely attainable situation and certainly hard to incorporate into a daily regime. Effective meditation is, and will be different for each person.

It is has been said, "Prayer is talking to God, meditation is listening to God", and I would agree with that. Keeping that in mind, whichever way creates a space within your day, within your being that allows you to achieve that state of focus, is meditation and is
effective. Be it for 5 minutes or 60. Do what you can! If you can't do it everyday, it's okay.So many people feel guilt if they don't mediate, yet create unrealistic expectations for it to be a part of their life.

Also remembering everyone is wired differently and so whatever works for you, is what works for you! Don't compare yourself to others in regards to meditation. For example,
some people need quiet to meditate; some people need the room to be dark. Others
like the sun, others need music. What brings you to a higher space? To YOUR particular sacred place inside your head?

For example, it is easier for me to meditate with music, but when I first began meditating, I learned to do so with guided tapes. I began mediating in my late teens when I discovered Richard Sutphen's tapes. His guided journeys basically taught me, a beginner,
how the process took place, how it felt. Richard (Dick) Sutphen is one of the pioneers of the New Age in my personal opinion. One of it's movers and shakers and I am proud to have learned from him. He was and still is an instrumental spiritual teacher and "wayshower” for me. I highly recommend him. I always tell my students and clients that his tapes were instrumental in starting me on the path I am walking today.

Some people have trouble visualizing, others have trouble with the intruding thoughts. If your not visual, that is okay, allow a sense of what the guided journey is taking you, If your mind won't stop thinking about the tasks and conversations that are in your day, hearing someone else's voice in a guided meditation may help you. The voice inside your head that keeps thinking about the phone calls you need to make, etc, we all have it. Some of my students find it helpful if you acknowledge it, let it know you received the message and will remember it later, it can quiet it. Or keep a piece of paper nearby and
write down the message the voice wants you to hear so you can go back to meditating.

Keep in mind that walking and other activities that are rhythmic and healthful can create a meditative place within you. Swimming, dancing, walking. I have had some of my best "listening to Spirit" meditative moments walking in nature. I live by a park with trails that allow me my strong connection to the Earth and Nature Kingdom to renew me in body, mind and spirit. Yoga is also meditative for people. Part of it’s life changing effects for those who do it often is this meditative state it creates.

So you see, it simply is a matter of finding what works for you. Throw away the false
assumptions, comparisons and expectations. Don't be hard on yourself, enjoy it.
Explore your style of meditation and start listening.

© Copyright 2008 Eileen Smith The Path of the White Rose