You may wonder what you can be aware of when meditating. It is simply the experience of the moment, which may comprise physical sensations, emotions, thoughts and feelings.

Meditation is about being aware of the richness of what is happening in the moment. Sometimes your focus may become so intent that you may actually merge into oneness for even just a few moments with what is occupying your attention. For example, instead of focusing on the breath, you become the breath.

Myth 2 - Meditation is escapism

Meditation is not about running away from your life, but trying to get to know yourself better.

Through meditation, you discover the depths of your mind and open yourself fully to these experiences. You become aware of aspects of your personality and life experiences.

As you acknowledge and accept your inner fears, pains and limiting beliefs, you stop projecting these out into the world and to other people. Instead, you develop acceptance, love and forgiveness for yourself – and also for others.

Through meditation, you come to understand past hurts, and then you are on the path to healing and gaining inner peace.

Myth 3 - Meditation is relaxation

Relaxation is not meditation. However, it is important to release tension and have a relaxed body before meditating. In this way, you are preparing your body for being still.

A relaxed body helps to promote the calm – but aware – mind needed for meditation.

Myth 4 - Meditation means sitting still for a long time

A meditative moment can be a short as 20 seconds. It involves stopping and taping into your inner self, so you centre yourself, and feel calm and balanced.

Of course, sitting and meditating for a longer length of time provides greater feelings of calmness and wellbeing. However, meditation is also about being kind to yourself and accepting that it takes time to establish a meditation practice.

Myth 5 - I don’t need meditation

Everyone needs meditation. It is only when you start meditating that you realise how your whole approach to life is changing.

You feel calm, content within yourself and you start acting rather than reacting when faced with challenging situations. And, that is a wonderful way to go through life.

Sleep soundly workshop for students

Students in years 10 to 12 should sleep a little easier after the two-hour Sleep Soundly workshop on Saturday 28 August.

The session will be packed with strategies to help participants relax their body, calm their mind and ‘let go’ of all the other demands that may be overwhelming them. A segment will focus specifically on meditations to promote sleep.

Sleep problems are linked to stress. Adequate sleep is essential for coping with the demands of studying, the busyness of life and to experience wonderful feelings of wellbeing.

Ideally, teenagers need about nine hours of sleep a night, but most are getting less than eight hours.

Sleep Soundly workshop

~Date: Saturday 28 August

~Time: 2pm – 4pm

~Cost: $45 or $40 each if booking with a friend

~Participants receive notes outlining key concepts and meditations

~Venue: Try Activities Centre, 125 George Street, Doncaster East.

~Bookings are essential.

~ Phone Eileen on 0407 881 285 or go to Contact Us.

What does it matter?

Ask yourself ‘what does it matter?’ each time you start to feel under pressure.

You will be surprised at how often you come to realise that what you are aiming for at this moment can wait a few more minutes, a few more hours – or even a few more days.

The idea of ‘what does it matter?’ came after a meditation session was interrupted by a rather upset practitioner who would be using the studio after me and she always needed 30 minutes to set up. Her class did start on time, but afterwards I thought ‘what does it matter?’. The teacher had access to the studio all evening so what does it matter if she starts a few minutes later?

So, now my days are punctuated by ‘what does it matter?’ and most times the task can wait. Of course, in whatever I do, I still believe in achieving the best result possible. However, this simple question enables me to decide what really needs my attention today.

The concept seems to be spreading. This week a meditation student related how she was caught in traffic and knew she would be later to work. Recognising that she was unable to do anything about her present situation, she released her stressful feelings with some some slow deep breathing. She also asked herself ‘what does it matter?’

When she arrived at work she would have felt at ease within herself, and in this calm and balanced state would be able to start work quite promptly.

Consider the alternative. She could have become agitated and tense about the traffic and these feelings would have continued into the start of her working day. What an unproductive scenario for any employer.

So, whenever you feel the pressure-pot of life starting to bubble, take a few breaths and in the stillness at the end of an out-breath, ask yourself, ‘what does it matter?’.

Just allow the answer to come without your ego butting in and taking over, and telling you what you need to do right now. (That is the job of the ego.)

Working from a clear, quiet space is definitely better for your overall health and wellbeing, and for achieving what you need to do.

Meditation Pathways News

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Enjoy your meditation journey
Eileen