A Scatterbrain’s Guide to Meditation

Okay, I confess.  I am really not a scatterbrain in the manner of being flighty and lacking good sense; but I had to come up with a word that would kind of describe the typical manner of thought-transfer in my brain.  You see, I am very much a thinker, an analyzer, maybe even a schemer or worrier at times.  It can be quite exhausting trying to keep up with all these thoughts!  So I am trying to incorporate my own mishmash way of meditation into my daily life.

I’m pretty hopeless when it comes to carving out a specific time to meditate.  You will never see me rising at 4:00 a.m. to sit motionless in the lotus position, deep in reflective thought.  It is just not me.  I know that this is probably the ‘ideal’ way and time to meditate – I’ve heard and read about it so many times that it’s become almost ingrained in my head that this is the only way to meditate.

But I have been realizing that meditation comes in many forms, and can be used at different times.  I had to find a way to work it into my life; something that would resonate with me and that I could stick with.  I didn’t want to have to feel guilty about not carving out a huge chunk of time devoted solely to meditation.

I walk every day and find that this is a great time for reflection and meditation.  I walk alone, and with no distractions (i.e. music).  I just let my thoughts wander as I observe nature.  Sometimes I plant an affirmation in my head and chant it (silently) over and over as I stride.  I also do a lot of thrift store shopping and (surprisingly) find that it’s an ideal place for meditation.  There is something about the rhythm of going through the racks that make my thoughts drift.  I am even able (most of the time) to block out the certain distractions of annoying customers.

Another good time for me is when I am driving alone.  There is something about gliding along in my own little world that brings out meditative thoughts.  I also really love to read, and find that I get caught up in books, which removes my thoughts from my everyday worries.  This too, is a form of meditation.

My absolute favorite though, is napping.  Oh the bliss of a nap!  It has the same qualities as officially meditating, without all the stress of being officially meditating.  Just to lay back, shut your eyes and doze is so calming, relaxing, and restorative.  It gives both the brain and the body a much-needed break.

I think that there are many different ways to meditate; many different ways to ‘enlightenment’.   It’s just finding the way that’s best for you.  In fact, I believe that Buddha is saying the same thing here:

“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation brings ignorance.  Know well what leads you forward and what holds you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.” ~Buddha

🙂

~Marilyn