Meditation isn’t Just for Hippies, and Doesn’t Need to Cut into your Precious Free Time

Meditation is an interesting word. While its definition seems pretty straight forward, what it evokes in people differs greatly one to the other. In fact, if you asked your closest friends and family, you would most likely receive some starkly different responses. Though the idea of meditating may seem to some as 20 minutes of boredom, or even wasted time, what acceptance of this word can do is outstanding. 

One doesn’t need to go on a lavish retreat in a foreign country, or seek out a guru, to learn about the benefits of meditation. All you really need is a few moments of concentration, a little creativity, and the desire to learn a new tool. Meditation isn’t about sitting alone, cross-legged, in a dark room with candles and incense, it is about mindfulness. It’s about bringing focus and acceptance to daily tasks. While we all have to-do lists containing less desirable boxes to check off, being able to go about this in a mindful way can actually make the menial more meaningful; it just takes a different approach than what we are used to.

With a simple Google search, one is able to pick up easy tips on what it is to meditate. According to the Buddhism About page, meditation is the amalgamate of 4 simple steps: 

1. Mindfulness of Body

2. Mindfulness of Feelings

3.) Mindfulness of Mind

4.) Mindfulness of Dharma

So how does this apply to your daily life? Here is an example of how one can mix meditation with something we all do each day; eating...

Mindfulness of Body - To be mindful of the body means to be aware of what's happening in you. In a meditation class, attendees will sit and begin to bring focus to their breath. This can include bringing awareness to breathing into the chest or stomach, how long their inhale (in a relative count) is vs. their exhale, as well as what areas of the body are working, relaxed, stuck, or achy. In daily life, when you sit down at your chosen space to eat, focus on your breath for maybe 30 seconds or minute, while concentrating on how it works with your body in the position which you normally eat. This prepares you to eat meditatively, bringing attention to your entire being.

Mindfulness of Feeling - While this can (and should) include what emotions become apparent during the action, what feeling means is literally how the activity works with the senses. Instead of eating while watching TV, reading, or even having conversation, try taking a few moments to engage with your food before scarfing it down. It may be weird not to use utensils, but try feeling your food, exploring the texture or temperature, smelling it, and getting a good visual image before actually taking a bite. While chewing, see how that texture feels in your mouth. Listen to the noises the food makes. See if you can still catch wafts of the food's scent. These small steps take only a few moments, but help you engage with your food, tasting it in a way we oft experience. 

Mindfulness of Mind - As simple as this sounds, this may be the hardest step. As what is off putting for many mediation objectors, this is the step where you try and clear your head. In our society, letting the mind rest isn’t easy. The harder we try, the more thoughts flood in. Instead of combating the deluge, what this step means is being aware of what is happening upstairs while you eat. Are you drifting somewhere? Instead of letting your mind engage with this thought, see what that thought is. Recognize you had a thought, maybe label if it is a thought of the future, commitments, or even a fear you have, then bring your focus back to the information the senses are feeding you about your meal. The mind drifts, but it doesn’t need to ruin concentration. By realizing you are drifting, acknowledging it, and returning to the task at hand, you continue to concentrate, continuing your mindfulness practice. This may happen one time or 50 times, but as long as your focus returns to eating, you are still meditating.

Mindfulness of Dharma - While Dharma is a debate in itself, for all intents and purposes for this activity, mindfulness of dharma means being aware of your intention and being gracious. Why are you eating? Is it for nourishment? Are you bored? Are you stress eating? Whatever the reason you are indulging in a meal, learn that reason, keep it at the forefront of the activity, and be thankful for the food in your hand. 

By approaching a daily task such as eating, exercising, or cleaning, in this fashion, a busy person can incorporate mindfulness and mediation into their daily lives. Be it 5 minutes or 15, with these steps you will gain a level of concentration and focus that seemed to disappear with the introduction of iPhones. It may not come the first try, but with a little imagination and desire to make a less-desirable task more palatable, these practices can be applied nearly anywhere throughout the day. 

People can’t be forced to become more mindful. If meditation isn’t your thing, it isn’t your thing. For those who are ready to increase focus and bring about a more conscious approach to day-to-day life, adding small increments of meditation to your day will do wonders. While it does take practice, creation of a mindful habits will increase concentration, efficacy, and overall enjoyment that will be seen day-in, day-out.  



Photos courtesy of the Guardian, Memecenter, and Connect113

Meditation, mountains (of garabage), and making the best out of uncomfortable situations

Being asked to pose for photos in Kolkata's Victoria Memorial Garden

I’d been in Kolkata for five days when it hit me; if I’m in India, why do I feel so far removed from the spiritual realm? As I tried to cross the busy street without being pulverized by a taxi, it seemed obvious. Kolkata is a hectic place. Though the city itself boasts much beauty, finding a time and space to be introspective isn’t the easiest of tasks. It is a little unorthodox, but only seems right that a place so opposed to my romantic view of India (Bollywood come to life!) would be the staging ground for ethereal experience.

After making it back to my hotel, I was drawn to meditate. I’m no expert, but my dabbling has often led to deep and meaningful experiences. Maybe it was finding my center after 6 days of perpetual motion, or maybe India is just that sacred of a place, but this meditation was quite profound. Within minutes I found a comfortable position (which isn’t a regular occurrence), that seemingly transformed my autonomous entity into a single drop of something greater. I was there, but only as a small part in the greater whole. Everything seemed connected. My body felt as if it had melted into my mat, with the air and ambiance of the atmosphere engulfing me. For 30 minutes I felt as if I had somehow made my way into the womb of existence. Returning to the present felt almost like a fall from grace.

After drifting back to the physical plane, life, once again, was whirl wind. That night, our local friends took us to their favorite bar. Though I’m not much for the night life, I did want to go to a place that offered live music. Like much of an Indian adventure, this didn’t end up quite how I expected. The music was sung by (relatively) scantily clad women, who our friends told us were actually prostitutes. Rupees draped in horny men’s numbers were thrown on stage, and the bouncers made sure that the right lady received the note. After uncomfortably sipping Kingfisher and trying not to make eye contact for a few hours, my night ended with consoling a local guy who fell for a foreigner who didn’t love him back.

Garbage Moutain

Though the smoke and smog left me with a pretty rough cold, I deiced to mind over matter the day and head to “Garbage Mountain,” with a friend we meet near our hostel. He was born in the outskirts of Kolkata, and the legendary mountain was the backdrop to his home. While he tried to mentally "prepare" us for the journey, what we quickly found was his small village outside of the city center was actually incredibly charming. The area was surrounded by water and greenery, and besides the mountain, the small, cobblestone walk ways, and humble brick houses were a fantastic break from the city. The local soccer match was an added bonus, and the insane tuk tuk rides with bumping bollywood songs and strobe lights made the return journey all that much sweeter.

People scavenging for recyclable or reusable scraps

a fitting ominous tree near the mountain

So how do all these experiences link together? The answer to that is why I continue to travel. I have no idea. What I do know is that with each step towards something greater, a ripple effect helps transform the world around us. It is amazing what can happen in a 24-hour period. While it is easy to see the beauty of each moment while immersed in a strange and tantalizing place, moments of centering and meditation can help us bring this lens to our everyday lives. Even if the daily grind can’t be seen as a thing of beauty, it is easier to face after realizing your actions, choices, and existence has purpose and meaning.