Many people have a sense that they should be meditating every day. They have heard or read that meditation makes you a more spiritual, enlightened person or that it creates peace of mind or leads to better health and happiness. All of these things can and do happen with a regular meditation practice, but they aren't likely to happen right away.

In fact, what will probably happen at first is that you don't like what you observe and experience when you sit in the quiet.

You may feel fidgety, anxious, bored or tired. You might start thinking about all the things you have to get done today. You might notice that just underneath that busy-ness of your normal existence is a feeling of unease. You might uncover pain or anger or a deep sadness with no apparent cause. You might see parts of yourself that make you want to flee.

Why would I EVER want to do this?

Because sitting through those feelings is the road to self-compassion and freedom.

The real point of a meditation session, especially at the beginning, is not peace of mind. If you don't realize this when you start meditating, you will think that there must be something wrong with you. You will likely become discouraged and quit. The real purpose of meditation is mind-training, or the developing mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the quality of Presence or Awareness that a person brings into lived experience--it is the ability to view your thoughts and actions and the behaviors of other people from the perspective of the Witness rather than the Reactor. When you learn how to stand in the Witness, you empower yourself to make conscious choices rather than reacting out of habitual patterns.

Meditation leads to mindfulness.

And mindfulness creates a space within which you can break free from your limiting beliefs, harmful habits and compulsive reactions. Along the way, you are naturally creating health, happiness and peace of mind.


So how do I get started?

There are many forms of Meditation coming from myriad philosophies, but you can utilize meditation regardless of your spiritual or religious persuasion. Over the next few days, Spiritual Director Mary Lou Schneider and I will offer you some meditation basics, including some ideas that will make your meditation practice an easier and more pleasurable experience.

Blessings, Kimberly V. Schneider, LPC
Transformational Counselor
www.findsforseekers.com