Grounded Fitness

Why Meditation is So Important

by Susan Watiker on October 26th, 2008

The benefits of yoga are fairly simple to calculate and see.  You become more flexible.  You feel stronger.  You have improved balance and coordination. You breathe easier.

Because we are employing our minds to do all of the work, sometimes the benefits are not immediately noticeable.  The benefits are extraordinary, however.  A stronger sense of peace.  An improved sense of ourselves and our impact.  And utimately, a fuller awareness of ourselves, others and the world around us. Increasing our awareness–our ability to exist in the here and now–is probably the most important aspect of meditation.  At least in my view. 

The simple fact that meditation has the ability to help us turn down the volume inside our own minds–and turn off the negative thoughts and feelings we all experience is so freeing, so amazing.  It quite literally gives us each the opportunity to wipe out negative, past programming and rewrite how our minds, bodies and spirits process information and react to our own environments.  As we become more aware of the troubling, pervasive thoughts that can sometime invade our minds when we least expect them, we can more easily shut them down and move on to a better, healthier place. And we actually feel better physically, too.

With meditation and thought we are offering ourselves a choice–do I want to live an abundant life, or do I want to dwell in negativity?  Should I continue to think this way about my job, my friends, etc., or do I want to think differently?  Meditation can clarify all of these questions for us, drawing us more deeply into our thoughts, to a place where we can see them for what they are, sort them out and make the best choices for ourselves. 

Meditation can deepen our yoga practices.  It can also deepen and expand our lives.  Once you begin to focus on the source and context of your thoughts, you can begin to heal and move away from the fear and negativity that we all feel some days, and lead a more productive, positive life in full awareness.  I suggest journaling as you undertake this exercise–and in many ways–exorcism. Soon you will see a pattern for the way you think.  Then address each of these issues, and move forward into the present. You’ll find yourself forgiving yourself and others for past pains and transgressions, and will begin living a fuller, happier life–today.

Peace. 

Share This

Related Stories

No related posts

POSTED IN: Uncategorized, Yoga