Idea Jam ~

What is it about meditation that appears to be gaining more and more attention from Westerners?  How does sitting still and closing one’s eyes benefit anyone?  What, exactly, is so appealing about this ancient Eastern tradition of self-reflection?

There is currently a widespread belief in the United States that meditation can provide us with improved health and a reduction of stress and anxiety.  Considering the alternatives, it makes sense that so many have turned to rumination as a possible remedy to the side effects of this American life.  Some, like surrealist film director, David Lynch, have even chosen to turn meditation-awareness into a personal crusade.  Lynch’s efforts to make Transcendental Meditation available to children in elementary schools across the country are a sign of the times.

Buddhists talk about the importance of quieting the mind – eliminating the constant chatter of our conditioned thoughts.  This concept makes so much sense, considering how we as Americans drive ourselves crazy with our own, daily worries and concerns.  What if you didn’t have to suffer the wrath of your daily stresses?  How would that affect your life?  The idea, here, is not to forget about that bill you have to pay; rather, it is to note it, honor it, and move on, so that you can accomplish everything you need to on a daily basis, and actually enjoy doing it!

There are those who would argue that the distracting thoughts in our heads keep us from focusing on the truly meaningful ideas that are waiting to come through; ideas that often remain just out of reach, blanketed by the myriad of musings sprinting in every direction.  This is a particularly significant notion for the artist.  Whether faced with writer’s block, or the first stroke on a blank canvas – how much easier would the process be if one could cut through the virtual idea jam going on inside his/her head, and focus clearly on the particular idea, or set of ideas, that allowed his/her creation to take flight?

I have been meditating for much of my life.  My mother taught me about self-reflection when I was very young, and I’ve continued the practice right up to this present moment.  Do days, and sometimes weeks, go by without a proper “sit down and shut up”?  Yes.  But the effects that rumination have provided me in my life are priceless, and that is why I always return.  It’s interesting to note that once one begins a meditation routine, the benefits of regular practice are evolutionary.  While at first the value may be seen in reduced stress and improved health, one can go on to discover that the entire scope of how they are living might improve.

An easy way to begin is to sit comfortably, close your eyes, and simply focus on your breath.  That’s it.  Five minutes is all it takes.  Meditation can often be challenging in the beginning, but the rewards are well worth it.

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~ by Nicholas Pallos on January 31, 2010.