Meditation has become more and more popular of late, thanks in part to several apps that offer low-cost or free options to countless people. But, what is meditation and does it really involve having to completely clear one’s mind? The answer, simply, is not exactly.

I frequently find myself encouraging clients to consider meditation as a way to ease stress, anxiety and worry. But meditation also can be used as a way to give oneself time to rest mentally, which is particularly important these days, with what seems for some a constant assault on our senses. This is particularly helpful for those with stressful work or home lives, but really can be used by anyone. Some meditations or mindfulness practices encourage loving kindness, which, as many of us know, is helpful in what seems an ever-increasing hostile world.

What is meditation, though? Meditation is time spent quietly, thoughtfully, and requires practioners not to clear their minds but to be present with all that is, well, present. That may be sounds or people or what have you. Meditation asks us to simply accept what is around us and to be okay with all that is present. We do not have to clear our minds for the duration of the time spent meditating; that is nearly impossible. Most humans have upwards of 75,000 thoughts a day. We cannot be expected to simply clear our minds for a great span of time. Meditation simply asks us to be okay with whatever is present, to focus on a sort of home base, such as the breath or a quiet sound such an air vent or heater, or nature sounds, for a specific period of time, a few minutes to an hour.

I started meditating about two years ago and do so with some frequency. I have found that over the course of these two years, meditating regularly has allowed me to practice self-compassion with greater ease and to practice loving kindness toward others more frequently. This is not necessarily the goal of meditation, but it certainly can help in today’s world. Meditation also allows some people a chance to be still, to rest their minds and to simply rest and to just be. In our ever-so-busy lives, who would not benefit from three, five, 10 or 15 or even 60 minutes of peace and quiet and time to just be?

It may seem to some as though you do not have even a few minutes to spare to meditate. It may seem as though there is not enough time in the day to simply rest and just be. I may argue, though, that the time spent meditating, resting, just existing, affords us an opportunity to better tend to the tasks that we need to complete, be they at work or in our personal lives. Meditation can help us be better people for the people around us.

Meditation is not the answer to stress, anxiety or worry in our lives, but engaging in meditation can help us be better able to manage those feelings. Meditation affords us an opportunity to be okay with whatever is present in our lives, be it good or not so good. Mediation allows us a chance to rest and reset so that we are better able to handle whatever comes next.

Some smart watches and fitness trackers offer access to meditation apps such as Calm or Headspace, and those applications are available through most play stores. However, one can practice meditation by simply sitting quietly and focusing on the breath or another pleasant sensation, or by focusing on pleasant sounds such as birds singing or leaves rustling. The time you spend meditating is not wasted time; it’s time that affords you an opportunity be a better version of yourself.

~ Karri Christiansen, MSW, LSW, CADC, CCTP