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July 27, 2018

How to Meditate Without Really Trying

Published in: easy ways to meditate, how to meditate, how to meditate if you can't do it, how to relax, Meditation

Can’t meditate? You’re probably already doing it.

Try as I might, I just can’t manage to meditate.

It’s not for lack of trying; I’ve taken classes, talked to avid meditators hoping to get some tips, read countless articles, listened to podcasts and watched instructional videos – you name it.

But that magic “Zen” moment I’m hoping for never really kicks in. Once, at a class at Canyon Ranch in Arizona, I thought I was successfully meditating, but realized afterward I had instead fallen asleep. (The nap was refreshing, sure;  but it wasn’t what I had hoped to achieve.)

Here’s the thing:  The harder I try to meditate, the more elusive it gets. It’s like the opposite of trying not to think about eating that piece of cake – suddenly, that buttery, moist, velvety slice of cake is all you want.

And despite knowing all the wonderful health benefits of meditating, – especially some that I can really use right now because lately, the world feels like it’s spinning out of control  – this is one health practice that slips right through my nimble fingers. But something akin to an ‘aha moment’ occurred to me the other day when I found myself in my backyard, staring at my bird feeder. I realized that I had, indeed, been meditating all along. Let me explain.

Last week, I refilled the empty feeder. At various times throughout the following days, I glanced at it from my kitchen window; each time disappointed that it stood unnoticed.  But on this particular day, there was action – lots of it. Birds of different sizes and colors fluttered busily around it. When the action died down a bit, I became especially mesmerized with a very small, bright yellow bird; the type I’ve only seen in a cage in a pet store or while vacationing in more exotic locales (but certainly not around my part of Connecticut).

Wishing to capture the tiny beauty with a photo, I stopped what I was doing, grabbed my phone and rushed outside,  tiptoeing slowly and silently toward the feeder. I stopped just short of it, daring to breathe lest the bird fly away, waiting for the perfect moment to release the shutter. And as I waited I watched, absorbed in the quick and jerky movements of the bird, silently commanding it to stay put long enough for me to capture the moment.

In case you’re wondering, I didn’t get the shot. The yellow bird abruptly flew away, giving up his space for a different – this time red – bird. Granted, it wasn’t as brightly-colored but it was photo-worthy, nonetheless.

Anyhow, when I walked back inside and glanced at the clock, I was shocked to discover that almost one hour had passed.  If you had asked me how long I was out there, I would have told you it was only five, maybe ten minutes. Once inside, I had a different feeling than before I left; I felt lighter, more clear-headed, happier.

That’s meditating, after all. It’s the ability to be present, to be in the here and now, fully engaged in whatever you’re doing at that very moment.

All along, I was doing all those things that you do when you meditate: observing without judging, thinking, reflecting, studying, examining, considering.

And don’t we all do these things every day, perhaps even multiple times each day? We do…we just don’t consciously realize it.

Since then, I’ve counted at least five other ways I’ve been meditating in my everyday life without trying. I meditate when I:

  • Walk or sit  on the beach and stare out at the water.
  • Eat and focus on my food, the way I’m chewing, its taste and the texture.
  • Take a shower and listen to the sound of the water hitting my body or the shower floor.
  • Ride my bicycle and become aware of the recurrent circular motion of my legs.
  • Sit still and do…nothing.

Meditating is all about awareness and focus, and letting everything else outside your immediate world melt away.

What are some ways you are meditating, without meditating?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  1. Irene S. Levine says

    July 28, 2018 at 1:37 pm

    Timely advice. I’m headed into the shower:-)

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I would love to hear a few things on the prospect from a first hand-perspective, and would be thrilled to learn more about it from you. Your advice is well valued and I’m very grateful to have such wise words from someone with such first hand experience.

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Sheryl Kraft
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I would love to hear a few things on the prospect from a first hand-perspective, and would be thrilled to learn more about it from you. Your advice is well valued and I’m very grateful to have such wise words from someone with such first hand experience. I will be looking forward to reading more of your wonderful articles in the future! Best wishes, Mikayla  
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On behalf of our entire organization, we'd like to thank you so much for featuring our product in last week’s Parade Magazine. Due to your article, traffic and sales have been great this past week.! We are a small business that prides ourselves on excellent product quality and customer service. We work hard to make quality products and market them effectively but then sometimes you get a gift like your article which really takes us to the next level. We will be eternally grateful to you for choosing us as one of your eye product recommendations.  
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I'm a young medical writer trying to get a foothold in the industry, so the portfolio you have on your website showcasing your accomplishments is something that I'm aiming to achieve. I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I am hoping you can share some advice, tips, or guidance as I work on this, my lateral career change! Thanks for taking the time to read this - I know you probably have much more exciting things to be doing, but just know that your work is inspiring me to continue down this writing path.  
https://sherylkraft.com/testimonials/im-writing-to-express-my-admiration-for-the-work-you-are-doing/
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