It would appear that, as far as stress goes, critical mass comes easier these days. There tends to be considerably more requirements of us as we move forward in work, family and health.

Bills need paying, traffic needs navigating and with a constant growth in population, it does nothing less than to increase our already ever-growing stress levels.

Meditation should be a strong requirement to help any individual wade through their day easier. You might think to yourself that this is, for me, easy to say but as far as you’re concerned actually doing it is an entirely different matter.

If the point of meditation is to calm us, then an organizing of our thoughts does just that, if only we take a little time to allow for that to take place.

Just think. Wander. Let go into whatever happens.

So how can the average person meditate then?

First and foremeost, dismiss whatever notions you may have concerning what meditation is or what may be required of you.  As I mentioned in my last post Why Meditate, meditation can be as simple as  a wandering mind while doing dishes. Your mind, during an activity comprised of repeated actions, wanders through issues that affect you, things that need doing, conversations that you have had… you sort things.

If the point of meditation is to calm us, then an organizing of our thoughts does just that, if only we take a little time to allow for that to take place.

Suppose then, that it isn’t dishes. Or vacuuming. Perhaps it’s some time alone in a room. Nature sounds are playing through your speakers and you just close your eyes. Do the sounds give you a calm reaction? Do you imagine yourself somewhere else or is your mind just wandering through some of those issues that pile up inside us? Just think. wander. Let go into whatever happens.

Breathe…. Your breath can become your greatest ally when trying to calm yourself. Best not to breathe like you are climbing a hill, in other words, it isn’t loud or aggressive, that’s too invigorating. Breathe like you want to fall asleep.

You can meditate while sitting or lying down. You can be covered or not. Choose your level of comfort. Some people sit on their couch with meditative sounds and images playing on YouTube. Be aware though that if you lie in bed, you’ll probably just fall asleep, which could happen any time you meditate until you get used to sorting sleep time from meditation time.

It may take a few tries to feel you are getting better at it and to stop over thinking it. Consider it like strengthening a muscle. It conditions over time with work and patience.

With practice, you can calm yourself as often as is required. Just remember, that no one person is calm all day every day. This is more like a switch that you turn on when necessary, so that your brain is sharper and your heart has a little less pressure. You owe it to yourself.