[Discover the importance of meditation to help you become the mom you long to be.]
What is Meditation?
Meditation is the turning inward of one’s attention. There are many types of meditation. We are going to focus on the most simple form, which involves focusing on our breath. Our breath is with us everywhere we go, which makes it an amazing anchor for our meditation practice. An anchor, in meditation, is the focal point of your meditation. The “object” that you bring your attention back to when your mind wanders.
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The Importance of Meditation for Moms
Want to find more joy in life? Want to be a more calm parent? Want to learn a new skill? Want to spark your creativity? Want to improve your health?
Meditation is the answer you have been looking for!
Give yourself the gift of meditation.
There are endless reasons to meditate. Meditation can transform your brain. Meditation has been known to help with sleep, reduce anxiety and increase energy. It has even been known to help improve memory, reduce stress, and decrease blood pressure.
There are many tools you can use during your meditation practice, but ultimately all that you need is yourself and your breath.
You may like to prepare yourself for meditation by flowing through some yoga poses that feel good to you. Or taking a walk can also be a great way to prepare your body and mind for your meditation practice.
If this is your first time meditating you may like to include one of the following, to help ease you into your sitting practice:
- Listen to a guided meditation. I have some free guided meditations for you.
- Listen to some nature sounds or some instrumental music.
- You may like to preface your practice with an inspirational reading.
- Maybe repeating a mantra or prayer during your practice, is right for you today.
If one of these tools sounds like it would be helpful for you, try it out. Do not choose too many tools, they may end up feeling more overwhelming than helpful.
Meditation Made Simple
When you are ready, find a quiet place and sit comfortably in a relaxed but upright posture. You may choose to sit in a chair with your feet on the ground or sit cross-legged on the floor, with a cushion under you.
You may want to begin by placing a hand on your heart, to physically connect with yourself. Relax your body and drop into your heart space.
When you are ready, close your eyes and breathe. Follow your breath in through your nose. Feel it enter your body and fill your lungs and belly. You may choose to place your hands on your low belly, feeling the expansion. You could alternately rest your hands, palms facing upward on your thighs.
Then follow your breath with your attention, as it leaves your body.
Continue to follow your breath in and then back out of your body.
As you do this your attention might wander. Whenever you notice this, gently and lovingly bring your attention back to your breath.
End your meditation with a smile and gratitude.
Make it a Priority
Many times we have the “not enough time” or “I’m too busy” excuse. Put those aside, and just begin by sitting for a few minutes. Literally, a few minutes can be transformative. If this is your first time meditating start by meditating for 5 minute a day. Do it EVERYDAY!
Repeat
Meditation is not a “one and done” activity, it is something we need to practice daily. Even multiple times a day. Once you make this a priority in your life and begin to feel its benefits, it will begin to be something you look forward to.
Sitting in meditation when you wake up in the morning is an amazing way to begin your day.
Meditation and Our Daily Life
Meditation is not an isolated event. Meditation practice is a time we set aside to practice tapping into our inner stillness so that we can know how to access that space more easily in our everyday lives.
Let go of Perfection
This is not about perfection. Sometimes we get the idea in our head that once I master this, then I will somehow be the perfect human being. Part of our being human is that we are perfectly imperfect. We are here to learn and grow.
There is a beautiful flower called the lotus and it only blooms in the mud. This is often used as a metaphor for life. Our growth comes from imperfection. The messiness of life is what helps us to transform.
Returning Home to Ourselves
We were born knowing our truth. We were born knowing our wholeness. Through meditation we are returning to the truth of our essence. We are tapping into our innate wisdom. The answers to our big questions have been within us all along.
Today we begin the journey of uncovering our true selves, layer by layer.
Celebrate
Give yourself grace. Celebrate all along the way. Keep practicing.
You may want to journal the wisdom that comes up for you after each meditation. You may also like to write things you are grateful for in your journal.
Apply what you experience in your meditation practice into your daily life. This is the best way to see the fruits of your meditation in your life.
Meditation Tips
- Meditate daily – Mornings are usually best
- Meditate with loving attention to what comes up for you, without judgment
- Journal after Meditation
- Give yourself Grace
- Enjoy the Process
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