 moon meditation Yoga Citta Vritti Nirodhah "Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind." Yoga Sutra 1.2 The daily whirlwind of thoughts and internal dialogue that our minds naturally engage in, are these "fluctuations" the practice of Yoga aims to bring into peace and stillness. Practicing meditation is like flexing a mental muscle. Every time we become aware of being distracted, and respond by gently returning our focus to the breath and present moment, the gentle muscle of awareness becomes stronger and more capable. This can serve us very well in times of great stress and tension. Boredom, irritation, and general distraction are all common and normal experiences when beginning to practice sitting with the mind. At these times, it is helpful to be clear on your intention and allow it to inspire you to continue and breathe with the mental discomfort*. It is also helpful to remember that the mind is naturally a thought factory. Practicing meditation is not about completely clearing the mind of thoughts, but rather observing thoughts without attachment and overwhelm. Daily, committed practice - no matter how short the length of time, will eventually yield beneficial results for the mind. The more we become familiar with being in the present moment, the easier it is to find in times of need. In my own experience as someone with anxiety, after over three years of exploring a daily meditation practice, it has certainly become easier for me to feel more present and less reactive in stressful situations. Practicing meditation cultivates equanimity; remaining anchored in one's center while navigating the inevitable ups and downs of life. If you're curious to try out a self guided, breath focused meditation, here are some tips:
When I first began my meditation practice, I eased myself in by starting off with only sitting for 5 minutes. As weeks or months passed, I would gradually add on another 5 minutes to slightly lengthen my practice. I recommend starting off in a similar way for folks who are just beginning to explore self-guided meditation. The most ideal time and place for your practice is based on your own routine and schedule, it truly varies for everyone. If time allows, you may want to integrate and reflect on your experience by journaling. Yoga constantly reveals the connection between the breath and mind. With practice, the fluctuations of the mind follow the breath to a more calm and balanced state of being. Whether seated in meditation or moving through asana, an easeful and steady pace of breath will support an easeful and steady mind, vice versa. Please be gentle with yourself as you begin to explore sitting in silence with your mind, it can definitely be as challenging as it is simple...perhaps keep in mind these inspiring words from the Tao Te Ching:  translation by Dwight Goddard *Though many folks do benefit from mindfulness practices, some who live with PTSD may run into difficulties during their inner explorations. Past trauma that has yet to be fully processed and integrated may come to the surface as the mind becomes more settled and quiet. Depending on the severity, it is best to stop the mindfulness practice and seek help from a qualified professional that is also a mindfulness practitioner. After the challenges have been integrated, a meditation/mindfulness practice can be resumed when it is safe enough to do so.
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