What does meditation mean to you?
What does meditation mean to you?
Many yogic scholars will have conflicting arguments based on philosophies and various interpretations, but no official inaugural date has existed since the inception of yoga. We can only theorize how and when yoga began, but it is much easier today to hear of different contemporary styles of yoga and the philosophy behind it. Examples of contemporary styles include Power Yoga; we automatically think of intensity, sweaty, challenging poses and sequencing, etc. While it may be somewhat true, it’s not entirely true. So, where did power yoga come from? Some will argue that Baron Baptiste of Baptiste Power Yoga created it or Bryan Kest came up with Power Yoga, but how did it come about? Well, they are forms of Hatha Vinyasa from a teacher named Krishnamacharya. Who is Krishnamacharya's land? Where did he earn it? He studied under different gurus, worked with Maha Raj, and taught yoga as a form of therapy. This is just one example of going down the rabbit hole, and I’m sure some people would argue against what I’m writing now. The main point I want to highlight here is that yoga is something to anyone and everyone. What does it mean to you?
According to Comparcamp.com, 300 million people will practice yoga worldwide in 2020. In 2015, 36.5 million Americans practiced yoga, and 54% of people surveyed said yoga helps to release tension. These are just some general statistics available online, with an estimated amount broken down based on countries, styles of yoga, and first-time practitioners to avid practitioners. It doesn’t break down a specific style; it is simply yoga practice. Depending on who you are and what you’re going through, yoga impacts people’s lives in many shapes and forms, and it is not arbitrary. People go for intentional reasons based on their lives, conveniences, frustrations, excitement, curiosity, connection, community, etc. The list goes on.
Meditating can be challenging to practice because it requires the fact of the matter, and you are the fact of the matter. Matter is substance and creation. Qualities influence the mind, influencing decisions and how we interact with the world and ourselves. For those who may find it difficult to meditate, detach from the idea of forcing yourself to do so. Instead, find something you enjoy doing for a while and experience the feedback of what you’re doing. Do something that you know allows you to feel positive. Reflect on how you manipulated the mind to work in your favor by getting out of the way for a moment. Then, you will experience a seed of meditation by meeting yourself where you are, not where you’re forcing yourself to be. Force is a great trait and superpower, but it’s like a bad relationship if used in a way that doesn’t sit well with you. Forcing a relationship to work will not always work and can cause more destruction. Applying subtle changes will eventually maneuver in your favor, but it is a process like anything.
One important thing is knowing when you connect with yourself, the impact it made, and whether the practice has supported your growth. Some questions to ask yourself:
Did it help me be more attuned with my mind?
Did the practice let me slow down and cultivate more awareness?
Did the practice show me things I subconsciously attach to?
Did it help alter my thoughts? Can I be with my thoughts?
Am I a better version of myself because of it?
Have you found yourself stricken by the pressures of the world, or have you been able to maintain your balance and inner peace?
By asking yourself these questions, notice your responses. Examine and reflect on the reactions to admit and accept the results. This is where meditation comes in. So, how does meditation impact personal growth and inner peace? It helps by balancing your central nervous system and teaches a person to step aside in the mind rather than going for the constant chase. Chasing a conclusion can be exhausting, debilitating, and unproductive. Meditation is a great to pause as opposed to an immediate reaction. Meditating helps bring about peace and teaches one to focus on breathing, maybe a chant, staring off into the distance, or listening to beautiful music. The practice of meditation is what yoga helps to expand on, and sometimes, we need to get into a physical practice of movement to slow down the movement in the mind. In the end, however, explore different ways to meditate and see what suits your needs. From there, expound on it and carry it into other parts of your life, noticing any positive changes from your energy source.