Why meditate?

When I introduced meditation into my daily routine, it was at the encouragement of a dear mentor who, having once lived monastically, embodied presence in a way I had never encountered before. Every week, I'd arrive at our session, and before or after I would recount the events of my week, he would inevitably ask, "Did you meditate?" As an overwhelmed special education teacher, who was determined not to offend this kind being, I inhibited myself from demonstrating my annoyance, as how could such a simple practice solve my complex issues?

After his message did not waver and my research consistently confirmed the benefits, I finally made the commitment to myself to practice sitting meditation daily, and slowly began to shift my relationship with my mind. As I learned to sit in open receptivity to whatever arose, I began to have direct experience of the inherent nature of the mind, with steadily decreasing buy-in to its content. As Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche explains, "Meditation practice brings our neuroses to the surface rather than hiding them at the bottom of our minds. It allows us to relate to our lives as something workable."

As I allowed myself the opportunity to sit, stay, and heal, I began to realize that there was really nothing wrong with me or my mind. As The Buddha explained over 2,500 years ago, "All that we are is the result of what we have thought." Since the mind is the origin of suffering, learning to work with the mind is critical for well-being, particularly if we are recovering from trauma that may have impacted our sense of self.

Neuroscience can now clearly demonstrate how the practice of sitting meditation leads to structural and functional changes in the brain, which in turn improve attention, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. The benefits are significant and too long to list here, and, at the same time, I also want to acknowledge the barriers, particularly for those of us with a trauma history.

Sitting with ourselves and staying with whatever arises can be quite challenging, especially since focusing inward can result in trauma-related memories, emotions, and sensations arising due to an understandably overactive amygdala trying to keep us safe. Some of us have a mind that has been conditioned to ruminate, hold high-performance-based standards, and cling tightly, which requires a capacity to be with what is that we may not yet possess.

Cultivating patience for sitting meditation is part of the process. By practicing consistently, limiting self-judgment, and acknowledging whatever arises, you are practicing. As Ram Dass explains, "Your mind will wander, and when you first start to meditate, you may be acutely aware of how active it is. Don't worry about it. Just keep returning your attention to your breath, letting go of whatever the mind wanders to. This is the essence of meditation: Letting go of your thoughts."

As clichéd as it may sound, the key to practicing sitting meditation is to meet yourself where you are at in each moment. If you are interested in starting or would like to enhance your current practice, I am here to provide support.

Take such good care,

Michelle

michelle@somaticzencounseling.com