Some people are afraid to meditate because they believe that it makes them more anxious. It is true that for some, the initial practice of sitting still and watching their breath or the flow of thoughts. feelings and sensations can feel quite threatening. For the first time, they notice their physicality (or corporeality).
For the first time, they notice the ceaseless and uncontrolled flow of thoughts, feelings and sensations and this can be alarming. But the conclusion they draw that it is meditation that is causing this, that it is sitting still that is causing this is erroneous.
Would you blame running water for causing the dirt in a garment that you are washing in it? Of course not. You can see how silly that is. The running water merely reveals and releases the dirt or stain. Similarly, meditation practice reveals and releases the thoughts, feelings and sensations that have embedded themselves in our minds and bodies. And it gives us the chance to step back and become a witness to all that is happening within our mind and body WITHOUT judging it, without attaching to it and without averting it.
This is freedom! Here is peace!
Interested in Mentoring?
EACH MONTH, I work with a small number of people (about 6) in a mentoring capacity. It is highly personalized and uses a body-centred phenomenological (lived experience rather than theoretical) approach and draws on mindfulness and reflective practices. If this sounds interesting to you, you can find out more here.
Interested in Meditation or Workshops? Get in touch!