World Meditation Day 2024 - May 21st

When the world around you is ensconced in madness, and you can’t quite seem to find a moment of peace in the storm of the day, it’s time to step back and remember those blissful moments as a child where we merely lost ourselves in the world. World Meditation Day is a call to the world to take time to participate in this millennia-old practice and clear our minds, remembering that we are people and humans first, and in a certain role or workers second.

When I start to feel overwhelmed in life, at work, ... with too much challenges, too much going on and around, just to much to take in and too little time to process it all, I rely on mindfulness. It’s all about tuning to yourself, into your sense of inner calm so you can be a better conduit for new insights and solutions.

My Simple Meditation Practice

1. Sit comfortably in a place that feels stable and easy.
2. Notice what your legs are doing and check how your legs are placed. Cross your legs if you're on a cushion. And if you're sitting on a chair, keep your foot bottom on the floor.
3. Observe what your arms are doing. Place your upper arms in line with your body and put your hand's palms on your legs wherever it feels right.
4. Keep your body straight but not rigid. Your spine has a natural bend – allow it.
5. Relax your gaze. Slightly lower your chin and allow your gaze to naturally lower. You don't need to close your eyes. Just don't focus on anything that appears in front of your eyes.
6. Sense your breath. Pay attention to how it feels when you breathe: the movement of air through your nose or mouth, your belly going up and down, or your chest.
7. Feel your breath, let thoughts come and go. Note when your thoughts drift away from your breath. It's normal that your mind will drift away from your breath to other things. Don't stress. You don't need to stop or get rid of thoughts. If you catch your mind wandering, slowly shift your focus back on your breath.
8. Don't be harsh on your mind if it drifts away (and it will 😀 ). It's normal if your mind keeps wandering frequently. Instead of struggling with your thoughts, practice noticing them without any reaction. Just sit and be aware. No matter how difficult it is, that's the key. Keep coming back to your breath without any negative judgement or expectation.
9. When you're ready, slowly lift your gaze (or open your eyes if they were closed). Take some time and listen to any sounds around. Feel how your body feels at the moment. Be aware of your thoughts and emotions.

More about Meditation