The Real Reason We Meditate
“i was no longer needing to be special, because i was no longer so caught in my puny separateness that had to keep proving i was something. i was part of the universe, like a tree is, or like grass is, or like water is.”
as meditators, it's the things that are toughest to express
to a non-meditator,
(such as losing the idea we are separate from the universe and all it contains),
that are the real reasons we meditate.
you see, the sitting down and closing eyes part is important,
but it's not for the experience in those 20 minutes twice a day that we
sit in practice, in full devotion to self.
sure, meditation does relieve us of stress, fatigue, worry, anxiety and depression.
sure, meditation does make us less reactive and more in tune with the needs of others,
and most importantly ourselves.
sure, meditation does improve the quality and depth in all of our relationships -
with ourselves, friends, family, and lovers.
sure, meditation increases our self confidence, present moment awareness,
and is the ultimate act of self-care.
and yes, the time we sit in meditation CAN feel like the juiciest,
most refreshing 20 minute rest.
the real reason we keep coming back to our twice a day practice,
is that we are finally loving who we are becoming.
we feel deeper and more fulfilling connections to our community,
and our work. (this is often why after some time as a meditator, irrelevant jobs and
relationships fall away).
we don't feel a need to follow the herd, and fully and wholeheartedly understand
that our experience during this rather limited body-time is far too precious
to do what someone else is because it works for them.
we make life work for us.
we're not in it to simply become 'enlightened'. no, far from it. we practice
meditation to work through the conditioning that has so far kept us bound
and restricted to feeling and knowing who we truly are.
and sometimes that work is ugly and uncomfortable.
and as i write this, i feel i could write an entire book on
the real reasons we meditate.
yet the best thing i can tell you in this limited space
(for those non-meditators who are reading)
is that only your direct experience will inform you
of the real reasons we meditate. for it's those reasons
that we make sure we don't miss our practice.
and if you're still reading, maybe that means
it's finally time to learn to meditate.
written with love, and a smile,
natasha x