Yesterday we admitted that one of the reasons we don’t have a regular meditation practice is because we’re afraid it may be painful–sitting in one twisted position for hours (days!) on end…! We talked about several different types of meditation and that one of them might be just the ticket for you.
I also wanted to draw your attention to the fact that there are plenty of ways to meditate, to “sit” in silence, that don’t require sitting in one position for a long time.
Here are some suggestions, 24 to be exact:
Taking a slow walk – being aware of the sights, sounds, aromas…
Observing nature – closely watching squirrels, birds, ants, bees…
Moving your body – dance, walking, yoga, gentle exercise…
Doodling – making random marks or shapes;
Studying closely a favorite photograph – of loved ones, a landscape, flowers…
Repetitive activity – gardening, cleaning, folding laundry, kneading dough…
Making sounds – hum one or two notes, play with wind chimes, experiment with pots and pans and empty bottles…
Still water – fill a bowl with water and make ripples, waves, splashes, or gazing into the stillness…
Running water – let water run through your fingers or dangle your feet in a pond or in your bathtub!
Gazing into a flame – a candle flame, flames in a fireplace or fire pit
Gratefulness – counting your blessings instead of your troubles
Laughing – yes, this is a valid meditation technique AS WELL AS yoga technique! Even if you aren’t in a good mood or feel stupid laughing at nothing, force yourself to do it anyway. Soon, you’ll be laughing on your own. If you need a boost to get started, there are YouTube videos of people laughing.
Focus on a peaceful image – water gently lapping on a beach, a burbling brook, a field of flowers swaying in a playful breeze, a beautiful spring day, a peaceful snowy evening…
Memory – remembering and re-living a happy event: the holidays with your loved ones, a special vacation, the birth of a baby…
Listening to music – classical music, sacred music, uplifting music…
Guided meditations – many, many choices on YouTube
Breath – focusing on your breathing, counting your breaths, breathing deeply and slowly…
Rhythmic playing – gently bouncing a ball, easy tossing and catching a ball by yourself, looking through a kaleidoscope…
Letting go – letting your body totally relax, feeling as if you’re melting into the chair or floor or bed…
Daydreaming – softening your focus and gazing out the window
Holding an object – rosary beads, smooth stone, special object…
Rocking – by yourself or with a loved one in a rocking chair, standing and shifting from foot to foot…
Human contact – hug yourself, hug a loved, hold a friend’s hand…
Ponder – an inspiring thought, a sacred passage, something a friend or loved one said that has resonated with you.
The point is that there isn’t only one right way to meditate…although the one right method is the one that works best for you (there can be more than one right method for you).
Choose several of these types because you may find that when you’re in certain moods that some methods work better than others for you.
Experiment and have fun with this! Then commit to doing some type of meditation every day; you’ll be very glad you did!
Your Friend and Pep Pal,
Lauren
Yes I Can Pep Talks 
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