Phew what a question. How much time do you have? One could fill a book, or simply say, well I meditate because I love myself and I deserve it! End of story!
But let me be more specific. You see, I do feel that by meditating and / or practicing yoga you actually give back to yourself. You give energy to yourself. You give time to yourself. You give attention to yourself. You are present with yourself. You indicate to the universe and those around you, that you love yourself.
Love myself? What a radical concept, I sense you exclaim with surprise!
Well, if you are able to love yourself, you will be able to love others, and others will be able to love you. Hmm, ok, but isn’t self love a bit selfish? NOPE, it is not selfish. It is essential! I feel a lot of personal struggles, unwellnesses and illnesses, unsupportive emotions and behaviours in ones lives do have their roots in ones lack of self love. Now this simply reflects my opinion of course. And it also reflects my experience as a yoga teacher, remedial massage therapist, reflexologist and Hahnemann healer and yes my 48 years of living and being a mother of two and wife to one!
When you meditate you give yourself permission to feel loved by yourself, which in return gives those around you the permission to love themselves too, and to love you! If love is too strong a word for you, see how you feel with exchanging it for “take yourself seriously”, or “look after yourself”, or how about “be considerate towards yourself”, or “have compassion towards yourself”? Sounds and feels better for you? Well, there you go! It all comes down to the same essential thing: to feel worthy of respect & love!
Personally, I also meditate because in my day job (at night I write essays and blog posts) as a yoga teacher, massage therapist, reflexologist, healer and mum, I am constantly present for others, my clients, my students, my family.
In meditation and yoga it is all about me. Meditation allows me to become aware of my own thoughts. I will either dwell on them and see where they take me, or let them be. I will focus on my breath, my physical sensations, outside sounds or smells etc. The choice is mine, and mine alone. In meditation it is about how I feel, mentally, physically and emotionally. It is about what my needs are. It is about being fully present and engaged with myself! This is my way of re-charging my batteries. I simply cannot keep on giving and being here and present for others if I do not make time to be here and present for myself. Simple as that. And essential!
Meditation allows me to become aware! Oh I love that! And when we are aware, we can make choices, and I love choices. I love having the freedom of choice! Yep, one of my most important values is Freedom! The Freedom of Choice!
I also like the fact that meditation allows me to become quiet, focused, peaceful, balanced, centered, calm, invigorated, alert, joyful, happy, soft, compassionate, mindful, loving and humble. And it gives me a mini holiday when I need it. It is my tea-break throughout the day, my get-focused-for class, get-centered for a treatment, get-ready for the kids, pick-me-up before I grab the chocolate, my please-can-you-give-me-a-hug, my got-to-get to sleep now and my wake-me-up before I go go!.
It is my 10-in-one therapy! My steady companion!
It lets me solve my problems, expand my business, meet myself with more clarity, allows me to fulfil my potential, makes me a more patient parent, and a more compassionate wife and friend, and it makes me a better teacher. It allows me to listen to my inner voice and inner knowing, it is my rock and my mate. I choose not to live without it!
The fact that meditation comes in many forms is also very appealing to me.
You know, I used to think you have to sit still to meditate. Yes, that was my belief many moons ago, until I got introduced to yoga 20 years ago. I practice meditation as part of my yoga practice. Very often my physical yoga asana practice actually even becomes my moving meditation. I love it when that happens. No, it never lasts for the whole ninety minutes, the meditative state that is, it does last for perhaps a few minutes at a time. And that is bliss!. I too believe that in our western world, our bodies need movement. So if the idea of sitting still does not appeal to you, well then don’t. Instead, find a moving meditation or any type of meditation that suits you.
Meditation does not require any special equipment and can be practiced anywhere and by anyone. It does require some discipline though, like all things with great value. Like brushing your teeth, practicing yoga and going to bed early! J
I look forward to the places it will take me and the insights and wisdom I will gain. I truly am in awe about the possibilities of meditation and am grateful that you allow me to share it with you.
Meditation has the ability to change ones life. Are you ready for it?
I would love to hear your experiences, your questions and comments.
Please comment in the box to the right. Thank you, I look forward to hearing from you.
Namaste
Bettina