Sitting vs Active Meditation

Meditation makes us bigger. This post describes how meditation itself might be bigger than you think.

A common image of meditation is pictured above: eyes closed, seated on a cushion cross-legged on the floor with upward-facing palms resting on the knees. This is what has been taught for millennia and what this author had learned.

Jon Kabat-Zinn’s 1994 book “Wherever You Go, There You Are” caught my eye because of its title, but what really opened my eyes was the broad range of postures and practices he presented. These are just a few:

• Mountain Meditation

• Lake Meditation

• Walking Meditation

• Standing Meditation

• Lying-Down Meditation

Having been shown what outside the box looks like, my personal practice reflected an understanding that Mindfulness practice is meant to carry over into real life. Here are some sample meditation practices by other author’s on this site:

• Yoga/Stretching Meditation – Monkle Zen begins each day meditating during morning yoga and several other authors reflect during their stretching time.

• Washing Dishes and Sweeping the Floor Meditation – Jett is the only author who doesn’t use the dishwasher and the only one who sweeps floors too.

• Raking the Leaves Meditation (similar to the Sweeping the Floor Meditation) – Chauncey the gardener will be the first to go rake the leaves. Seasonal repetition sets the tone for his meditation.

• Turning the Compost Meditation – Again, Chauncey and repetition.

• Soccer Drills Meditation – Coach considers juggling and other soccer drills to be a form of meditation. The repetition deepens the groove on the skills you want to (intentionally) develop so they become second nature.

• Cycling Meditation – Bike Angel‘s preferred practice. The longer the bike ride and the more sun filtering through trees, the better.

• Working with your Hands Meditation – Jack gets into the zone during tasks that leave space to reflect.

• Mindfulness during any task – Grandpa has had time to get really good at being present and in the moment no matter what he’s doing, and now that he’s retired, his mental and emotional space accommodates so much more of the present moment.

Kabat-Zinn broke this author’s “mold” by teaching that mindfulness meets people where they are rather than requiring people seek “the right way” to meditate. Find what’s right for you.

Guided Meditation

Whereas Kabat-Zinn’s book opens doors for those who have already started their journey, those beginning their journey may find it easier to enter meditation accompanied by a guide.

Take a look at the Healthy Minds Program’s app (as reviewed by this author) for a guided introduction. Experienced meditators will also benefit from the range of practice sessions provided. The app is free and suitable for all levels.

Key Takeaways

• Meditation can be practiced throughout your day. It’s not just about sitting quietly with your eyes closed.

• There are many different forms. You may even find your own way to meditate.

• Meditation and reflection are key parts of Well-Being.

• Meditation is like exercise for the brain. You can make your mind stronger by practicing.

• There are guided meditation practices. A good app for both beginners and experienced meditators is the Healthy Minds app recommended by the NYT Wirecutter for those wanting to see if meditation is right for them without spending any money (it is free).