By Helen Thompson
"Yes, I'm going to start doing that, but.... "
How many times have you heard a friend, or a client, say this? How many times have you said this yourself?? There are so many things that are obviously very beneficial to health and happiness, but.... But what? Not enough time just now....can't afford it at present....have a lot to cope with just now....too busy at the moment! The human race is a master at the art of excuses!
Why do we make these excuses? Is it because we don't want to take responsibility for our lives? Is it because we are lazy? Could it be because making our lives better is scary?? Sometimes excuses are really bad for us, as they stop us from succeeding at something that we know is positive for us. And when we make them & repeat them often enough - they become a reality, almost a self-fulfilling prophecy! We are what we think!
And sometimes - we are what we don't think!
This happens in the gentle art of meditation. But how often do we take the time out to simply sit & be? In almost all the meditation courses I have held, participants return week after week with these same excuses of 'no time', 'too busy', 'too stressed'!! Too stressed?? Lordy lordy - that's what you're learning meditation for! People come to meditation courses or workshops because they know their lives are stressful, and they need to be able to 'switch off' when necessary, so why make excuses for not doing it? Extraordinary! Do we perhaps make excuses to hide behaviour we are slightly ashamed of?
People seem to find it so hard these days to just sit on their own, do nothing and be silent. It's a strange phenomenon. Only ten years or so ago, it was common to see folks sitting on a park bench, for instance, just thinking and enjoying being on their own. But now - they are either texting or talking on their phones, or are plugged into earphones & are listening to something - usually very loud. Why are we afraid now to be alone and not doing something or talking to someone? Are we afraid to face our inner selves? And if so - why? It's something we need to find out.
Meditation and guided visualisation can help to change our perspective and our lives. It shows us how to find that inner 'spot' where nothing is good or bad, or annoying, or stressful - it just is. It teaches us how to pause and recharge in the midst of chaos, how to slow down breathing and heart rate for optimum health, how to banish fear, how to develop equanimity, and how to cope with life in an altogether calmer and more equitable way. That simply can't be bad. Find the time to start practising it now!
I have written an e-book called Urban Meditation which includes 10 different techniques, and tips on how to incorporate regular daily sessions into your life, especially for the people who never seem to find the time to do it! You will be surprised how easy it is!
It can be found on my website www.healingholistix.com
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© 2007 Helen Thompson, therapist & facilitator