My meditational journey

Meditation has been termed by people in different ways depending upon their experience. Some state it as a practice to calm one’s mind while other state it as an exercise of brain. I didn’t have any such notion about meditation, till I started practicing it sometime back. It’s been 9 months that I have been meditating and now it has become a part of my life. If I skip exercise a day, feel guilty about it, same is the case with mediation now. Even today when I speak to my friends about meditation and its impact in one’s life, they disagree with my thoughts.  So I thought to write about my journey for them.

I used to exercise regularly at home till 2016, focusing mainly on lower abdomen, crushes were a part of and I loved doing it. I wanted flat stomach, if I get any packs in the process that would be like “icing on the cake”. But in 2016 I started getting shoulder pain, doctors diagnosed it, as an issue with disc, due to prolonged usage of laptop accompanied by inadequate sitting posture. I was advised not to do any exercise for some time and crunches were completely ruled out.

I had sleep issues too, due to pain especially during night time. Had to be on bed rest for good amount of time initially, then my cousin suggested me to attend yoga classes, I might feel better. It was another gateway for me other than physiotherapy sessions. I enquired about yoga classes near my place and apprised them about my disc issue. They assured me, my comfort will be taken care of during the sessions, then enrolled for it.

On day one we were asked to closed our eyes and be in that state for some time. I was pretty difficult to remain in that state even for one minute. But our tutor asked us to continue in that state for at least 5 minutes. Nobody in that class was able to reach 5 mins, we all opened our eyes before the stipulated time. We were anxious when we opened our eyes, then our tutor asked us to relax and said these things happen initially but if we are able to overcome our anxiousness then we can prolong our meditation time. This will not happen overnight, we have to work on it. Basic reason why people don’t like to meditate is that they aren’t able overcome the “eye closure task”. If we overcome this then, rest is cakewalk because during meditation we are expected to close our eyes.

After my first session when I reached home, was feeling too tired and slept for some time. That night I had peaceful sleep and got up full fresh and energetic in morning. On 4^th day, tutor asked us a question “are you able to find any change in your life?”. We all looked at each other, then one person responded, she is sleeping a lot these days. Then we all joined her in chorus that our experience is the same. He laughed and said this happens.  Reason meditation enhances blood supply to brain.

I could notice one more thing, my pain had subsided completely now. And my frequency to lie down on bed has been reduced considerably. All thanks to meditation, now I was able to meditate for 10-15 mins at a stretch and every time I open my eyes after the session, would feel refreshed and energetic. Despite such enriching experience, I quit meditation immediately after classes got over.

For few days I was doing good, then as I resumed my routine schedule, pain started to relapse, quality of sleep declined. All this while I was doing customized exercise as per my condition still I felt something was missing, that was the calmness of mind. Never did it strike to me that by meditation, again I can regain my mental peace and energy.

9 months back I decided to start meditation again, after the first session itself I could feel some difference. Since the gap was long, I had to start from scratch again but it was worth taking the effort. Again there was difficulty in closing the eyes and the time taken was long. But slowly and steadily now, I have mastered the art a bit, by meditating daily for about 15-20 mins. The days I miss it, try to listen to the music for about 5 mins with eyes closed in sparsely lit room. That’s it

I have noticed one more change in me, my introspection towards individuals and situations has changed drastically now. Now I am able to analysis situation with calmness and ease, which wasn’t the situation before. Few of my friends have noticed this change in me and have pointed it to me. My will power has also increased substantially and now am not frightened of adverse situation rather am ready to face any situation with courage. Credit goes to meditation for bringing about this change in me.

So all my friends who come with time, as an excuse for not being able to meditate, I hope your concern has been answered now. For meditation one need a quiet place with minimal lighting, physical presence and music (you can do without it also). If you are not able to do it during day or evening time, you can do it before going to bed for 5 mins. Common anyone can spare 5 mins a day from their busy schedule. Do something for yourself daily by investing 5 mins of your time in meditating.