The Restorative Power of Meditation

We all know how easy it is to become carried away with a train of thought. An idea or memory may occur to us as the briefest of glimpses or it may sit itself down in the armchair of our mind and begin an all-nighter.

Thought is, of course, utterly invaluable to our functioning as a social, multifaceted and valued human animal, particularly within the bounds of a modern and complex society. But as with so much in life, an excess of anything can begin to create imbalance which, in turn, leads to a decline in our general well being.

There are many approaches we can take in order to restore balance if we feel it is lacking. Often this involves reestablishing our connection to our foundations. To put it another way; we must try to ground ourselves – literally reconnect to the earth from which we originated – and by doing so align ourselves mentally, spiritually and emotionally.

There is a reason why, over the last 12 months, during one of the most isolating experiences of our most lives, so many of us have wanted to move to a house with more garden, or have taken up walks in the countryside. It is part to do with an unconscious but deep rooted need to ground ourselves by connecting with that powerfully illusive entity we call Nature.

Often when we think about ‘Nature’ we do so from the perspective of something that feels separated from it. We ‘walk in nature’ we ‘observe nature’ we even attempt to recreate nature according to our own needs within our gardens and parks. And yet we rarely acknowledge that we are as much apart of the flora and fauna of our planet – Nature, in other words – as anything else. We are subject to the same elements, the same dangers, the same processes as just about everything that is alive today.

The connection we feel to the natural world is, in effect, an extension of the calm mindlful detachment that meditation creates. Not a detachment from responsibility or from the people we hold dear, but from the effects of emotions that manifest as a result of continual, unending thought.

If meditation is something you are unsure about, or the sheer quantity of material online overwhelms you, we have put together a couple of simple, straightforward guided meditations for you to try and included them in a link below. Each is designed simply to help you see what the journey from ‘thinking mind’ to ‘unthinking mind’ looks and feels like.

All you need in order to try them out is somewhere quiet and comfortable to sit, where you won’t be interrupted and a maximum of 12 minutes out of your day.

We all know how easy it is to become carried away with a train of thought. An idea or memory may occur to us as the briefest of glimpses or it may sit itself down in the armchair of our mind and begin an all-nighter.

Thought is, of course, utterly invaluable to our functioning as a social, multifaceted and valued human animal, particularly within the bounds of a modern and complex society. But as with so much in life, an excess of anything can begin to create imbalance which, in turn, leads to a decline in our general well being.

There are many approaches we can take in order to restore balance if we feel it is lacking. Often this involves reestablishing our connection to our foundations. To put it another way; we must try to ground ourselves – literally reconnect to the earth from which we originated – and by doing so align ourselves mentally, spiritually and emotionally.

There is a reason why, over the last 12 months, during one of the most isolating experiences of our most lives, so many of us have wanted to move to a house with more garden, or have taken up walks in the countryside. It is part to do with an unconscious but deep rooted need to ground ourselves by connecting with that powerfully illusive entity we call Nature.

Often when we think about ‘Nature’ we do so from the perspective of something that feels separated from it. We ‘walk in nature’ we ‘observe nature’ we even attempt to recreate nature according to our own needs within our gardens and parks. And yet we rarely acknowledge that we are as much apart of the flora and fauna of our planet – Nature, in other words – as anything else. We are subject to the same elements, the same dangers, the same processes as just about everything that is alive today.

The connection we feel to the natural world is, in effect, an extension of the calm mindlful detachment that meditation creates. Not a detachment from responsibility or from the people we hold dear, but from the effects of emotions that manifest as a result of continual, unending thought.

If meditation is something you are unsure about, or the sheer quantity of material online overwhelms you, we have put together a couple of simple, straightforward guided meditations for you to try and included them in a link below. Each is designed simply to help you see what the journey from ‘thinking mind’ to ‘unthinking mind’ looks and feels like.

All you need in order to try them out is somewhere quiet and comfortable to sit, where you won’t be interrupted and a maximum of 12 minutes out of your day.

First Mediation – Breathing Meditation

Designed to introduce the idea of quietening the mind.

Find a quiet, comfy chair and enjoy the feeling that comes from giving yourself permission to disconnect from the world for a few minutes.

Second Meditation – Awareness of Self

This is a short body scan exercise, designed to bring your attention to each part of your body and by doing so learn to focus the mind more effectively.

Third Meditation – Journey into Mindfullness

This is a continuation of the previous exercise, taking the form of an introduction to mindfulness.