Meditation Tips for Beginners from Banyan Therapist Priya Narine, MSW, RCSWI
Mediation has always been a fascinating topic that leads to many roads, which commonly result in one common goal, to initiate emotional healing and wellbeing.
I work in a field that is dominated by emotional pain so naturally meditating is something that clients are seeking, even if they are unaware. For my clients who have never meditated before but have a desire to, I support them in understanding what the purpose of meditating is, which is to connect and be present. Meditation is a beautiful tool that helps humanity get in touch with recognizing and identifying emotions, physical sensations, which result in a natural connectedness to humanity, the universe and what is blocking them from healing.
For my clients who are unskilled at meditating, I ease their anxiety by expressing to them that meditation is similar to art, there is no right or wrong way to do this. The guide to mediation lies within you, follow your heart and everything else will fall into place. Take the pragmatic and regimented approached to meditation and throw it away because a spiritual guide has no border and cannot be contained by limitations.
Here are some simple tips to meditation that have been carried on for centuries and are used in multiple regions, cultures, religions and even modern day spirituality, which we understand as psychology.
1.) Create an intention on why you are choosing to incorporate meditation into your lifestyle.
Perhaps you are choosing to meditate because you notice that you have been feeling anxious, stressed or worried lately and would like to feel happier and a sense of peace. This is important in order to build a foundation for meditation.
2.) Focus on your breathing.
This is the most important step in meditation. In ancient metaphysical philosophy, it is said that your breath is the key to connecting to your soul and once your soul leaves your body so does your breath. Try noticing what your breath feels like. Perhaps, when you inhale the air that you are inhaling is cool and when you exhale the air is hot. Make a conscious effort to be mindful of these sensations, as it will allow you to connect to your body and eventually your soul.
3.) Try a simple body scan.
A body scan is where you acknowledge every part of your body from your hair to your toes. There is no judgement and no need to change anything. The purpose of this is to create awareness of your external body in order to create awareness of your internal body and the sensations that are present. For example, I was say aloud or silently to myself notice your hair, eyes, nose lips etc. Get to know your body!
All in all, meditation is one of the oldest healing practices that have been proven time and time again to alleviate emotional and physical suffering in order to live in a state of peace or happiness. These are some humble ways to begin meditation and all that is required is a wiliness to open your heart, some peace and quiet, and time to create an intention for meditation in order to connect with yourself and become present.
To end with, meditation is something that I hold dear to my heart because I know the impact it had on my life. For the longest time I was a sad little girl who was searching for connection and love in all the wrong places. As I got older, I realized that I had the power to heal myself through being present and aware. And as I turned my knowledge into wisdom, I realized there was a word for this, which is meditation.
