DON’T GIVE UP ON MEDITATION! IT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE IN PROFOUND WAYS…
Most people have tried some form of meditation at some point in their lives only to find themselves frustrated or feeling like they can't do it "right" and end up giving up on the whole idea too quickly. I've been there! That was me at several different points in time during my lifetime. That was, until 2017 when I finally figured it out for myself.
Throughout different times in my life I had dabbled and experimented with meditation, particularly when I was going through something difficult in my life, or working my way up the spiritual ladder (as I like to call it). However, in 2017, my meditation game changed. I actually found guided meditation through Gabby Bernstein's book "The Universe Has Your Back" (which I highly recommend). https://gabbybernstein.com/shop/books/
In her book she offers links to a variety of different guided meditations. I began doing them as part of the exercises of the book and I was hooked. I began practicing every day and my life began to change in amazing ways.
What I found to be true for me is that from those guided meditations, I began seeking out other ways and sources of meditation and began experimenting. What I figured out VERY quickly was that by doing guided meditations, it actually allowed me to gradually (but quickly) move into a space where I can meditate just by quieting my mind. For me, the practice of guided meditation made the next step of mindfulness meditation very natural. Mindfulness meditation is the practice of being present in the moment, which can also carry over into your day to day activities. From there, I moved into practicing and exploring several types of meditation (there are many many kinds and types depending on which google article you choose to read ;-) ). I also began exploring meditation work by Dr. Joe Dispenza, and his work is fascinating and so healing! I highly recommend his "Rewired" series on Gaia and he has several transformative meditations available for download on his website. https://drjoedispenza.com
By doing those meditations regularly, I can now very quickly shut my brain off and meditate for long periods of time. Being able to quiet your mind is an amazing and very healing process and experience unlike anything else. It feels like an out of body experience. It wasn't even that hard to get to this level of meditation and it all started with guided meditation.
I now practice all types of varieties of meditation throughout the day depending on my mood, what I need in the moment, what my meditation goal is for that particular day, or if I'm working through things in which I need assistance from the Universe. You will often find me saying that "meditation saved my life" and that is true on so many levels. It didn't save my life in that I was suicidal or anything, but I was going through some very difficult times and meditation allowed me to process the challenges I was having, see them in a different light and from a place of love and acceptance, and let them go. Meditation allowed me to offer forgiveness to myself and others, heal deep issues from my past and allowed me to connect and ground myself with something bigger than me. I now view things completely differently and in a much more positive light.
Meditation has been proven to reduce anxiety, improve sleep, lower blood pressure, decrease pain sensation, reduce stress, improve memory, aides in healing addictions and addictive patterns, promotes self awareness, improves tolerance, patience and promotes overall emotional health. And the best news? It's free and easy and requires just a few minutes a day! I realized several years ago that so many people are scared of meditation because we think it's too complicated, or that we can't do it right. That is absolutely not true. There is no right or wrong in meditation and there are so many options! Even a little bit goes a long way to health, happiness and a new perspective on life.
Start today. Start where you are. Start with guided meditation and watch your life change in amazing ways!
And let’s giggle a little…
-Leanne
