Meditating Can be #@!& Difficult

Here’s why you should do it anyway

If you want to find God, hang out in the space between your thoughts ~ Alan Cohen

Find a space where you will not be disturbed. Sit or lie comfortably, release the worries of the day and … now … relax.

As your body releases tension, I want you to focus on your breathing. Feel the sensation of your breath (woof) as it passes through your nostrils (woof woof). Follow the breath as it reaches your lungs. Now … in your mind’s eye you see a staircase, rising up into the (woo-wooo-woooo-woooof. Will somebody pa-leeease shut that dog up! Ok. Alright. Staircase)… as you steadily climb higher into the clouds.

At the top of the staircase, a person steps forward to greet you. This person may be (Oh God, did I get the steak out of the freezer?) and they take you by the (Yep. No. I’m sure I did) and guide you to (It was yummy last time with the pepper sauce. Hmmm, yeah. And crispy baked potatoes. Oh, damn. Shut up brain!). In this place you feel so relaxed and your mind is free from all worries and concerns. (Yep. Free from concerns… Free from stress… Free is me … Not thinking at all about that damn lady and her completely unreasonable expectations. Nope… Letting it go. It does not bother me one bit that she once again has gone completely … Oh, oops. Meditating. I am meditating.

I am free from all worldly concerns and … I … AM … MEDITATING … DAMN IT!!)

… slowly return to your surroundings and … open your eyes. (Sigh)

Meditation has been a spiritual practice for thousands of years but, lately, it has enjoyed a huge ground-swell of scientific, corporate and media-related interest. What was once the domain of hermits and tribal medicine-men has now become an exciting and progressive scientific discipline — due, in no small measure, to the active encouragement and involvement of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

The first thing to acknowledge about meditation is that (despite common assurances to the contrary) meditation is not always easy. In fact, it actually works against our very psychological makeup and the six-hundred-million years it has taken for our nervous system to evolve. Indeed, any primitive human who quietly vacated their mind of all thoughts and contemplated the other-worldly ether for prolonged periods, almost always ended up as a tasty entrée for a passing carnivore.

We are actually wired to be nervous, to be flighty and to stay firmly connected with the lurking shadows of our Earthly surroundings. In caveman days, it was bears and snakes that kept our nerves a-jumpin’, these days it’s children’s birthday party arrangements and unpaid bills.

Well then … I hear you say … if it’s against our biological makeup, why bother with meditation at all?

Because it’s good for us. Incredibly, profoundly, physically, mentally and spiritually good for us.

Modern science has revealed that regular meditation can actually have a biological effect on the brain — two areas in particular grow thicker and more active. One of these areas is the pre-frontal cortex, which controls our ability to concentrate and focus, and the other is the insula, an important part of the brain that enables us to recognize and empathize with others’ moods and feelings … and allows us to be more self-aware!

More exciting, however, is the new scientific understanding termed neuroplasticity and the incredible effects meditation can have on our capacity for happiness.

Until recently scientists believed that our personality, moods and general outlook on life were set in stone by the time we reached adulthood. (Bad luck if you spent your younger years in abusive or stressful surroundings!) However, it is now understood that our brains remain malleable until the day we die. We, at any stage in our life, have the capacity to burn new patterns into our grey-matter and re-write our personalities and sense of well-being.

Buddhist monks — the Meditation Idols of this world — have been studied extensively, and it is widely acknowledged that their regular contemplative habits have produced a greater capacity for joy and happiness. By regularly denying the stresses of daily existence — focusing instead on inner peace and calm — these monks have re-wired their brains to ‘think happier’ and respond more peacefully.

In other words, in return for a few minutes of “ommm-ing” every day, we can literally invite more optimistic thoughts and emotions into our lives.

Studies show that regular meditation has positive effects on:

• Physical ailments such as headaches, migraines, PMT and asthma
• Self-confidence and emotional well-being
• Learning ability, intelligence growth rate and memory
• Empathy, listening skills and relationships
• Forgiveness, living in the present moment and spiritual well-being

The Dalai Lama openly admits that Buddhist meditation is an incredibly difficult discipline to acquire and maintain, but there are a wide variety of simpler methods that any of us can learn. An easy way to start is through guided meditations or simple mantras — rather than trying to empty your mind completely, this offers a relaxing and rejuvenating focal point for your attention.

Alternatively, you can spend ten minutes a day in a state of “mindfulness”, focusing on your breathing — in and out — and allowing that process to bring you fully into the moment.

At the end of the day, the method you choose is irrelevant. What is important is to remember that each of us can attain a greater level of mental peace and emotional well-being, just by gifting ourselves 10–30 minutes a day to meditate.

A few minutes of each day to shut out our thoughts, and start enjoying the space in between.

Kim Forrester is an award-winning author, educator and intuitive consultant with over 15 years’ experience as a professional intuitive and spiritual teacher. She combines cutting edge science with traditional spirituality to offer the latest understandings of psi, consciousness and holistic well being.