Authentic Hot Summer Self
I think we can all agree that this Summer has been exceptionally hot. What does your yoga practice look like in the heat? Mine has just pared down to meditation. Meditation seems like a sensible activity with all this heat. One major bonus of meditation- it will lead you to your authentic self, meaning who you, really. Not the person you wish you were. Not your future self. Just the person you are authentic without any pretenses. Wouldn’t you like to get to know yourself better? Well, this crazy hot summer is a perfect time to delve into meditation and get to know your inner landscape better.
If you are a daily or beginner meditator, you will find the following information useful to dispel myths about meditation. Sometimes, I think, it’s easier to describe what something isn’t to get a fuller definition. So in this blog, I’m going to discuss myths about meditation.
Myth #1
I’ve never meditated.
Okay, this just simply isn’t true. YOU have been meditating your whole life, but never called it meditation. Have you ever been so focused on an activity that you have lost track of time? Have you stared at the sky, the ocean, the mountains? My friends, this is meditation! Think of meditation as being very concentrated on focus/intention. When you are meditating you will lose track of time. Think of meditation (Dhyana- 7th limb in 8 limbs of yoga) as the mind is so focused you have few if any thoughts.
Myth #2
You need to be in padmasana (full lotus) with hands in Gyan mudra.
Meditation can occur in any posture that is comfortable for the meditator. If you have bad knees, padmasana is not an asana you will be incorporating in your meditation. The truth is you can stand during meditation if that is more comfortable for you. You can lie down, as long as you don’t fall asleep. If you do fall asleep, well frankly, you need to catch some zzz's so no harm done. You can sit in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. The most important posture for meditation is the posture that is the most comfortable for YOU. The mind will not be able to relax if the body is uncomfortable. So please choose a posture that’s best for your body, that will allow you to relax, so you can benefit from meditation.
Myth #3
Meditation must be performed in a quiet, darkroom.
My favorite posture for meditation is walking outside. Walking meditation involves slow, mindful walking with maybe some sitting. Think of this type of meditation as mindful walking. You can concentrate on your feet, repeating heel to toe. Or you can let nature (the outside environment) be your teacher. I have been totally fascinated by grasshoppers and ants!!! No kidding, have you ever watched grasshoppers? They can jump incredibly far in one hop! And ants, really don’t get me started on these amazing insects. I have seen the power and strength of ants, over and over it never gets old.
Meditation can be performed in a quiet, dark room or you can take your meditation out and about with you. It’s really your preference, but if you haven’t tried walking meditation you really need to try this practice. You can walk around your neighborhood, you don’t have to drive anywhere. Or walk to a park. Bottom line- the external environment is not important in meditation. Meditation is all about the internal space you live in and inhabit.
Myth #4
When you meditate, you will have no thoughts.
This probably is not going to happen. If you have no thoughts, you will start thinking “hey I have no thoughts.” I gave up on this myth a while ago. Meditation is best used for metacognition (thinking about thoughts). The best way, I have found, to help myself with thoughts that cause suffering is metacognition.
When I have thoughts, which I seem to always have, I follow this sequence-
Where in my body, am I feeling this thought? Head? Throat? Chest? Back? Stomach?
How does this thought feel? Heavy? Light? Nothing?
What emotion(s) am I feeling? Sad? Guilty? Ashamed? Don’t know?
I stay with the feelings in the body, not the stories that follow the thoughts (thoughts ARE NOT true- just patterns of behavior) until the feeling/emotion seems lighter.
A type of meditation that you can explore if you haven’t already, is metacognition meditation. This type of meditation is a mindful, compassionate exploration of your thoughts.
Myth #5
Meditation always makes you calm and peaceful.
Meditation is about releasing. If you need to release something, it’s going to come up in your meditation. You may even cry during meditation and have no idea why.
Meditation is about learning about yourself. Why do those things you do, that you love or annoy you? How you are feeling or simply feeling the body. Meditation is not goal-driven for a calm and peaceful state of mind. It’s about accepting and loving yourself ALL the time, not just in those good moments, but those moments you wish you could redo. Meditation is about finding you. Once you find yourself, get to know yourself, accept yourself without judgments. Meditation is about falling in love with yourself.
Hopefully, I’ve got you thinking about meditation and the myths that surround the practice. The best advice I can give you about meditation, just do it! How long? However long works for you- just try to meditate daily, it can be 3 mins. Even if you are busy, go to bed earlier and meditate before bed. Or wake up earlier and meditate then. Ask your yoga instructor for longer meditation practices. Just make time for the most important practice of your life- learning to love and accept yourself with meditation friends. Find your Authentic Hot Summer Self!
With love and light to all Namaste- I’ve got some grasshoppers to watch!