I often speak about the power of meditation and the benefits of doing it everyday. As a meditation practitioner and coach, I know how important it is and how much it can change your life. But as a mother and a business owner, I know how hard it can be to find a spare 20 minutes and some time alone. Every. Single. Day.
Well, here’s the good news… meditation doesn’t have to be difficult or time-consuming. You can actually meditate without giving it much thought! Achieving a meditative state can happen during many activities that you do often… things like:
- Washing the dishes
- Mowing the lawn
- Going for a long walk or run
- Driving home from work
- Using the elliptical machine or treadmill
- Sweeping the driveway
Meditation is simple really. It is basically the act of focusing your attention on one thing for a period of time. It doesn’t have to be mysterious or complicated. It is a natural state of calm, focused awareness. Many scientists have studied meditation over the years to determine the ‘active ingredients’ for how it works. Herbert Benson, M.D. of the Benson- Henry Institute has studied meditators of various backgrounds. He found that anyone, that includes you, can achieve this focused state by meditating during a simple repetitive activity like we listed above, regardless of their background, religion, or belief system.
Really, any repetitive behavior that lulls you into a rhythmic activity works… by focusing on the task itself – what your body’s doing, what your breath is like, how your muscles feel – these simple activities put you in a meditative state. All of these things (and many more!) are meditative activities you can use for your benefit. So how about, instead of grumbling about the chores on your to-do list, next time use the opportunity to help you gain more peace and clarity!
Your Turn…
I’d love to hear your story. Comment below and let me know how you use everyday activities to help you meditate!
*Originally published as Everyday Meditative Activities on www.drcoxconsulting.com.