To meditate or not meditate, that is the question. Meditation has been a spiritual practice for centuries. Reducing stress, gaining focus and developing a deeper relationship with God are all benefits. So, why would anyone even question to practice meditation with so many benefits?
The two reasons I believe that people don’t even try meditation are:
- It takes a commitment of time
- People are afraid of losing control
While every one of us is given a 24 hour day, everyone seems to be time poor. We’ve been taught that time is money, not to waste time, and somehow, if we are not busy or doing something we are unproductive.
The perception of sitting and “doing nothing” for 10-15 minutes, doesn’t put meditation on the priority list. I used to think that way too until I turned to meditation out of desperation.
The truth is, meditation is not doing nothing. It’s a powerful tool to silence the voices of anxiety, doubt, self-criticism and fear. Meditation quiets the mind and allows you to actually think more clearly. This quieting allows you to respond instead of reacting because of having more peace.
This practice means letting go – letting go of negative and anxious thoughts. It’s surrendering to a connection with our Creator.
If you are a control freak, like I love to be, the thought of letting go can be terrifying. But if you are closed minded, you can’t receive the abundance, peace and blessings that await you. Let me use the analogy of having closed fists. When your fists are locked up tight, you can’t open your hands to receive anything.
Meditation works the same way with the mind. When you let go of the negative, stressful, anxious thoughts that don’t serve you, you can receive positive, loving thoughts to take their place.
The word meditation is many times preceded with the word practice. Depending how cluttered your mind is and how long you have programmed your mind with negative thoughts, it takes practice to quiet the mind.
In the beginning, learning anything new is hard. But with practice, it becomes easy.
If you need help, you can download cut #5 from my Let it Go – 10 Meditative Affirmations to Let Go and Let God CD/Downloads for free called Letting Go. With it is a Prayer for Letting Go and Three Steps to Letting Go.
Meditation has so transformed my life, that I’ve created three easy to follow meditation CDs/Downloads with meditative music.
I hope that you will make time for this powerful tool and that you will welcome letting go and letting your mind, heart and soul be set free.
Jackie Trottmann
May 1, 2014 8:53 amThank you Sharon. Beautiful words from you in return. Letting go is my quest too. :)
Peace and blessings,
Jackie
Sharon Smith-Koen
May 1, 2014 5:55 amThanks for these encouraging words that will help me in my quest to let go and just meditate on the Lover of my soul.