A Cure For The Restless

Ever wonder why some days feel like they are easier than others? How things just sort of fall into place, in the right way at the right time and on top of that, it all feels sort of effortless?

Hmm, what if every day could be like that?

It’s not that life is perfect and anything that ever happens to us is beneficial, although it helps to see it that way. A lot of it more often that not, depends not only on the events but also on our reaction to them. Perception seems to hold the key.

This is where the practice of meditation comes in. Now I know this is not a revolutionary idea, just one that isn’t practiced enough.

The benefits are endless, literally. But what it does is quite simply make us less reactive. To everyone and everything.

Our thoughts, our unpleasant feelings, those noisy neighbours, that rude customer at work, just stressing over petty things. We would be surprised at how different we, as in the same individual, is able to react to the same situation.

Suppose I am angry and I am shouting at you. Like literally screaming at you. What is your response?

Our immediate or instinctive reaction might be to yell back, getting us both into an argument.

Or you could choose not to be loud or aggressive, but rather respond in a cool, rational manner. Completely calm and collected.

Guess who is the meditator in this situation?

Now, I know there are some clichés and stigma surrounding meditation, even still with all the research that is and has been coming out supporting its benefits. But the reality is, we aren’t required to be a master yogi or some Zen monk at a monastery in order to practice meditation. Rather, it is quite simple.

There is a reason why meditation is often associated with the word mindfulness. Because that is what it essentially is.

Being mindful. Being aware.

The Process

You could sit cross-legged or sit on a chair. You could have your eyes closed, or you can have them open. You could place your arms as you wish. You could even lie down actually. Whatever is more comfortable.

The point is, there is no point to it. No rules. We step into it with a mindset of nothing to gain, nothing to lose. It's strange because it may feel rather counter intuitive in that sense.

Meditation is not you getting in your car, adjusting the seat and putting on a seatbelt as you prepare to take off. Meditation is stepping out of the car, taking a step back and simply observing all the other cars already on the street.

On a given day, we have thousands of thoughts running through our heads. I would argue maybe millions, you know what I mean. We are restless and agitated, to get this crossed and that done.

"Meditation is stepping out of the car, taking a step back and simply observing all the other cars already on the street."

I’m not saying we should drop all our responsibilities of everyday life and go out into the mountains. Although frankly, one might see the appeal in that. All I’m saying is, we can still do what we need to do everyday but with a completely different mindset of going about it.

Ever seen someone doing dishes in a hurry? So have I. But have you also seen this activity done gracefully? The same way a gardener would plant trees. A potter shaping clay into pottery. A bartender making cocktails. An artist at work.

How do they do what they do and the way they do it? Of course, practice and experience plays a big part, and these people would be the first to tell you that they weren’t born like this. But the key here I would argue is awareness. We get better at things because we develop an awareness to our craft.

Ideally, we want our attention to flow like the water going down a stream. Effortless and uninterrupted.

This is where meditation comes. The practice of meditation has truly changed lives, including mine.

I am not selling you a success story, but the simple fact that I have begun to feel differently about my life and who I am should at least urge you to give it a try. I will share with you how I meditate and how I have noticed it impact my day-to-day.

Every day, (or at least most days) I meditate in the morning.

I sit with my legs crossed on the floor in my bedroom and just close my eyes for 20 minutes. I watch my breath, and I go where my mind takes me. Come what may.

At first I thought it can only be done with a clear head and by suppressing any arising thoughts, but later I found that it was not meant to be done like that.

It is natural for thoughts to arise and for our minds to wander. After all, we have to make breakfast, do our chores, focus on school, manage our money, be a better parent, partner, friend, etc etc.

The trick is not to suppress these thoughts as if they are wrong or unworthy, but to allow to them arise and pass naturally. Much like the clouds in the sky.

Suppressing them, in a weird way, is attaching emotion or resistance towards these thoughts, gradually labelling them as ‘positive’ or ‘negative’.

Without this emotional weight, thoughts are just that. Thoughts. After a while they fade, and all we are left with is pure, unidentified awareness. Flowing and uninterrupted. Just like water flowing down a spring.

Once I finish my session and open my eyes, the world or my room, seems a tad bit brighter. Vivid and a little more pleasant to look around, with no physical change or difference between then and now. I don’t know what it is or why but this happens every time, without fail.

I have always been self conscious in nature, more so as I have gotten older. So throughout the day, my self awareness helps me notice how I am more attuned to my experiences and the conversations I am having.

How I enjoy more what I do, be it schoolwork, writing, working out or simple chores like washing dishes, sweeping or doing laundry. I am more engaged, present to the moment and readily able to focus on my task.

Everything becomes more pleasant without that constant feedback loop in my head, adding a layer to every experience and interaction. It is subtle but incredibly effective.

As I have practiced meditation on and off for some time now, I know how different I am with it and how I am without it. Along with the spiritual and mental benefits, it helps me be a better me. At no cost or trade-off, other than my time.

But if a 15-minute session everyday of just breathing with my eyes closed, undoubtedly enhances the next 15 hours of my waking life for the day, beyond that and even my sleep?

I have every intention of making this practice a necessary and permanent part of my life. If you haven't already, I would happily recommend that you consider it too.

It's time we find that inner peace.