Why do I meditate?

I actually find meditation addictive as I feel the benefits of it so much that I always want more! Life can be so stressful, who could say no to the potential of more moments of calm, clarity and joy? Meditation has had positive knock-on effects to my life in so many ways. I initially came to it in times of emotional difficulty in my early 20s and really leant into it around 2017, aged 25. Meditation was an incredible practice in those times of crisis as it gave me the opportunity to shine a different perspective on issues that I was feeling deeply lost in. I really experienced lightbulb moments from the simple but powerful opportunity to create space to step out of the mind and witness it through a different lens. My daily meditation practice at that time was such a welcome relief, even for just my 10 minutes a day, from the whirlwind or spirals in my head that I had often spent my day stuck in.

Meditating has taught me skills which have allowed me to tune in to my inner self and connect with myself kindly (e.g. being non-judgemental, accepting, compassionate, gentle, to allow what is in the mind). This increased emotional awareness has been two-fold – meditation has trained me to cultivate more positive emotions (e.g. gratitude) and to allow myself to experience and acknowledge more challenging emotions (e.g. sadness, stress or anxiety) with a compassionate mind, instead of resisting them. For me it is invaluable to create a quiet reflective space for myself to navigate life and process emotions, whether during meditating, journaling or whilst checking in with my inner monologue at mini moments during the day.

Having a focus on reflecting, celebrating small things and cultivating gratitude have all stemmed from meditation but are now traits that now appear in my mind day-to-day, as I have the awareness to create mini moments in the day to shift into those mindsets. It is incredibly empowering to feel able to firstly notice and then reframe my thoughts, shifting my whole inner monologue and outlook. I physically feel stress leaving the body and calm entering. It is really beautiful!

The use of mantras has also been present in my life. I was first introduced to the mantra “I’m strong, I’m powerful, I’m magnificent” during a fundraiser workshop at university. I was not practicing meditation at the time whatsoever, so it is only in hindsight that I realise this is a type of meditation! At the time, and in the years that I have used it since, I have found this mantra to be a brilliant example of mind over matter, the power of the inner monologue and the direction of our energy and beliefs.

Overall, meditation keeps me grounded and in touch with myself. I find that by starting my day with a dedicated time to focus on my breath and go inwards, it plants the seed of a peaceful state that I can return to during the day. It is a daily consolidation of that inner stillness, even if it gets a bit lost amidst the goings on of commuting or working or planning shopping lists, it can always be re-found. The simple power of the breath is always there. Meditation is magical!