Over the past couple of months, I’ve mentioned to several people that I’m interested in trying daily meditation practice, even if only for 15 minutes upon waking.
What’s wrong with that scenario? Well, I expressed my intentions several times, clearly spent at least two months playing with the idea — and yet I’ve yet to actually sit my ass on the floor and meditate.
This post could take the direction of exploring why I’ve seemingly avoided my stated intentions (daily meditation), or how I could push myself to actually do it. But we’ll save those for another day.
Today I want to tell you why I’m actually not as much a procrastinator as it may seem.
Let’s start with a definition of the word “meditate” from Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary:
to engage in mental exercise (as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness.
Notice that there is no mention of physical position.
When we hear the word meditation, many of us will jump to images of someone sitting cross-legged on floor in yoga pants, or maybe a saffron-cloaked monk seated in the forest.
But today, as I dove into a pool just before sundown and quietly swam laps, my mind began to slide gently into a new mold. Cluttered thoughts and wasteful worries slipped into the water, and I was left with a soft, deep state of focus.
Is that meditation enough for you?
I’ve realized that we all have different meditations that work for us. I may not sit on the floor in a yogic meditation pose, but I center my mind through exercise and free writing. Each morning, I do three pages of free writing as soon as I awake. This practice is surprisingly effective for clearing and focusing the mind — so much so, that I’m starting to believe it’s the reason I keep “forgetting” to begin a daily meditation routine.
I don’t at all intend for this post to undercut the value of all the types of meditation. In fact, I’m still planning to give that sitting-cross-legged thing a try. I simply want to expand our definitions of meditation, as a way of expanding our means of attaining clarity and focus.
What’s your meditation?
Do you think the definition can really be expanded?
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
If the purpose of your meditation is to clear the mind, you’re most definitely achieving it. I used to walk for exercise, and it cleared my mind, too.
Daisy´s last blog post..Leftover Salad
Anytime I can clear mental space to listen for the Other, then I’ve entered the a meditative space. In my simplest formula, prayer: praise and asking; meditation: listening…
Richard Reeve´s last blog post..Fear or elation: where are you?
Zoe- excellent post, and excellent questions. If you haven’t seen it already, I want to draw your attention to “The Big Sit.” It’s a 90-day meditation challenge being put out by Tricycle, a Buddhist Magazine. More details here: http://www.tricycle.com/-practice/the-big-sit
While I wouldn’t suggest jumping right into a 90-day challenge, I’d say use it as a model because I get the most out of meditation when I do it as part of a regular practice. I’m a simple, no-frills breath meditator for the most part, though at times I also engage in other Buddhist meditation practices (such as compassion, body sensation, etc). Breath meditation works for me; it’s not so much about clearing my mind as it is about being aware of my mind and thought processes.
As for the definition of meditation: in a larger sense, I think the word is inclusive, and any type of mental exercise or contemplation would be covered. Tricycle, a popular Buddhist mag, has just started “The Big Sit” which encourages people to join in a 90-day formal sitting meditation challenge. Given the deliberate wording, I think you could definitely say there’s a recognition of a wider definition of meditation even in practitioner communities.
Ian´s last blog post..Social Consequences of the Internet for Adolescents
Please excuse the previous redundancy; teaches me for rushing off to finish a post without reading it over.
Ian´s last blog post..Social Consequences of the Internet for Adolescents
Hi Zoe,
I couldn’t tell you how many people I’ve known into yoga and all kinds of almost ceremonial meditation, and many of them aren’t actually meditating . . . they’re relaxing. If you sit and write in deep concentration, that is meditation–perhaps not the standard definition, but I always hated standard definitions. My view of meditation is something you can do all the time: while walking, swimming, eating, watching birds or writing. To me it’s a detached and relaxed state of deep concentration. When a Samurai warrior fights to the death–he (or she) is meditating.
I’m a big proponent of action meditation, where the action is enhanced by deep concentration; the same thing you’re talking about. It’s a myth that you need to sit in lotus posture burning incense with a cup of herbal tea nearby lol! Actually, I believe you have a better grasp on real meditation than most people who claim to meditate. Your saffron-cloaked monk cracked me up.
You don’t need a yoga position. It gives me cramps anyway. I just usually sit down, look at my plant, take a deep breath and just zone out. Works for me.
I meditate 20 minutes every morning in a traditional way.
Yes, I think the definition can be expanded. However, there can be distinctions of course. When one thinks of a “traditional meditation” they think of someone sitting cross legged focusing on one thing. Or many things if it’s more of a visualization sort of meditation.
But, certainly, taking a walk in the park for example, can be meditation. Prayer can be too.
Bamboo Forest – PunIntended´s last blog post..Your Pun Intended Universe is Getting a Redesign
@ Daisy – I used to walk up part of a mountain road for exercise, and it was such a clarifying and invigorating experience.
@ Richard – Meditation as listening… I think that’s an excellent way to envision it. Helps for expanding the definition…
@ Ian – I’m heading over to check out that link now. I think you’re right to emphasize the importance of a regular practice — I’ve found that’s a key factor in various undertakings that require any type of effective focus.
@ Bobby – I love your definitions — action meditation is excellent! I took a yoga class several years ago and found that it kept nearly putting me to sleep…
@ Kate – Hmm, I could try that with the plants that I’ve somehow managed not to kill…
@ Bamboo – I imagine traditional meditation can be incredibly valuable. It’s good to get the POV of someone who does it daily
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There are lots of different ways to meditate
I like guided meditations the best though I’ve been less than habitual with them for – oh, a year or so. Heheh.
Melissa Donovan´s last blog post..How to Create a Believable Character
I’m with you on this one, Zoe. Meditation, to me, is clearing my mind and letting thoughts freely flow in and out. I do this: running, gardening, washing the dishes, vacuuming, working with my tarot cards. I do ‘formal’ meditation, but very rarely. I only do this when I am completely unbalanced and need to centre myself. So, for a period in my life, I did this quite often. I hardly ever do it now.
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Kia ora Zoë
Having little chance to actually set aside space and time to think or meditate I find other ways to do the same.
Catchya later
from Middle-earth
Ken Allan´s last blog post..A Panacea for Education Ills?
@ Melissa – I’ve actually done guided meditation once or twice, and I must say I was completely surprised to see how well it worked… of course I haven’t been habitual about it either
@ Urban Panther – Vacuuming…that’s a good one
. That’s quite interesting that you’ve only needed formal meditation when you’re going through rough times.
@ Ken – Great post — thanks for the link
. I love train travel particularly, but I’ve actually become really good at bus travel… to the point where I can do about 24 hours without hating my life! Although I often read while traveling, I also agree that it’s a wonderful space for pure thinking, leading into pure nonthinking…
You’ve walked straight into one of my favourite topics.
Check out the phenomenal book Wherever You Go, There You Are.
Hi Michael! Great to see you here. I’m checking out that book, and your blog as well… this topic really is quite intriguing.