Meditation is the act of paying attention to the breath as it goes in and out and noticing when the mind wanders from this task. Sitting quietly and paying attention to your breath? Remaining in the present moment to ground myself on purpose and without judgement? These are the questions running through my head the first time I considered meditation. My quick reaction was, yeah, right?! But then I tried it and found it did calm me, I could pay attention to only my breath and bring myself back to the breath if my mind wondered. Carol Cordova, a Supports Planner with Independence Now has taken up meditation too, she says, “I started the practice of meditation during the pandemic… Meditation gives me mental clarity, and it helps me be present when I am feeling anxious or overwhelmed. The breathing techniques used in meditation help me ground myself and let go of any resistance in my mind.”
Carol uses guided meditation, which is done with the help of a guide who leads you through the meditation. She says, “I loved the guided meditation from the first class, and I have continued to practice it on my own since then….I love to do a guided mediation first thing in the morning or before I go to bed at night for 15 minutes.” Guided Meditation is a great way to learn how to meditate, there are many free resources listed below.
Meditation is a great way to relax and take care of yourself. Carol encourages you to “incorporate it into your daily routine. For beginners, meditating five minutes a day is a great way to start (you can also meditate in a sitting or lying position).”
Resources