A Kundalini yoga guru, that I took a class with in Los Angeles said, “If everyone did yoga, there would be less people in hospitals.” I have never been in a hospital, as a holistic practitioner.

In addition, I am adding, “If everyone did meditation, the world would be a calmer place.”

I tell people all the time, this is the best medicine for Anxiety.

So what is this all about?

Meditation is just sitting still with your eyes closed. It is following along with a guided meditation. It is sitting in a meditation group – with the group energy to hold your space. There are different forms of meditation, such as mindfulness meditation, Buddhist/Hindu meditation, Insight Timer (and other apps) type of meditation, transcendental mediation, Shavasana (the end of yoga) and contemplative prayer/centering prayer.

When you are starting out, remember that you are not a guru. You shouldn’t be sitting there all by yourself closing your eyes and wondering when the time is up. I recommend to first timers – try some short 5 minute guided meditations on Insight Timer (or some other app of your choosing). Test out the speakers first and then bookmark whichever voices you like listening too. This is key to paying attention. Then go back and do a meditation. That is it. Now try this a few times/week.

So what if your mind starts racing. Mine does too and I have been in a meditation practice for many years. You are not a guru. I have an advanced practice and still struggle with calming the voice in my head. This is part of the work. Focusing. Silencing. Respecting yourself, where ever you are at. The minute I do get quiet, my intuition steps in. I receive answers. This is the bonus. When I am not quiet, I have sat still and respected my body, my time, my space. This is good for my soul.

The point of meditation, working on your mind being quiet (and this is a long term goal), is that you are challenging your Ego. The noise in your head is your Ego. The quiet is your intuitive voice guiding you. When I need or want answers, I work harder at challenging myself. When I am lazy, my Ego is talking. Both are okay because I am still at practice.

When you go to the gym, sometimes you don’t give it your all. As women, we go through menstrual cycles – this curbs our enthusiasm. As men and women, we are dictated by the weather and whether or not we feel like it. There are excuses because it was a long day, we have mood swings, we have an invitation to go to Happy Hour. So, we slack off at times. This happens with meditation too – when our Ego is stepping in too much. Don’t be mad at yourself, just be disciplined. It is free, unlike the gym, and free means you are in charge of making the time, place, and effort. The good thing is that you can join a meditation group as well. Then you at least have people to hold you accountable. Group energy can cause you to be more focused in the beginning as well. You are less likely to “wander off” in your head.

Excuses are what make us ill: mentally, spiritually and physically. This is our Ego too.

Why would meditation cause the world to be a more calmer place if more of us did this? If we are all working on quieting our mind, our intuitive mind or our higher consciousness is more in charge of our life. Not our ego. Imagine if there was less ego and more minds focused on their intuitive wisdom. If every single person focused on a meditation practice each week. Disciplined. Wisdom. Respect for self.

Give it a try. You’ve got this! I guarantee you, it will change your life.