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As I took a quick survey about why people don’t meditate, it got my mind wondering…are people viewing meditation simply as the latest trend; one more thing that we HAVE to do? If we don’t do it “correct” then we won’t get anything out of it?
Then I ran across this article and wondered if rather than meditation being trendy, maybe it’s more that we are band-aiding the mindless society we have created? Are these trendy pop-up boutiques the answer or does it make more sense to teach the basics as well as the benefits of meditation…those that date back to ancient times.
So what does it mean to meditate?
We talked briefly about it over yonder but we can also get Wikipedia’s take:
Meditation is a practice where an individual operates or trains the mind or induces a mode of consciousness, either to realize some benefit or for the mind to simply acknowledge its content without becoming identified with that content, or as an end in itself.
What does that mean? Let’s get more simple:
It is simply:
- being present in the moment
- being present with your mind
- being present with your thoughts
- being present with your environment
All of the above without judgement. It is not something you do, it is something that you are. So think about this? If you taught yourself to be present in your daily actions, can you see the decrease in stress, anxiety, pain? It’s not about being present 100%, it’s about practicing being present so we are calm when it’s needed.
Am I against these businesses mentioned above? Absolutely not! I think it’s a great way to bring people together and give people the tools to develop their own practice. I also believe in the power of group meditation and the expansive energy it creates. I do, however, worry that it’s creating a co-dependent environment where people think that they have to go somewhere to DO meditation.
Use these facilities as a tool, just as you would a guided meditation on the internet, but continue to develop your own way of being through practice. Remember, meditation isn’t about physically doing something…it is about being in the moment.