Meditation is a state of thoughtless awareness characterized by alertness and presence. (Click here to read my article, What is a Meditative State of Consciousness?)
As stated in my blog post, seated meditation is the practice of sitting still with the spine long, often times while focusing on the inhalations and exhalations of the breath. (Click here to read my article, What is Seated Meditation?)
Coping skills or coping strategies are conscious and intentional thoughts and behaviors used to constructively handle or deal with perceived stresses. (Click here to read my article, What are Coping Skills?)
In my opinion, seated meditation is the best coping skill available to people everywhere for the purposes of stress reduction. Since I started my healing journey in late 2011, meditation as a stress reduction strategy has been the most powerful tool in my “toolbox.” The practice of seated meditation has helped me more than any other technique or practice.
If you are feeling stressed out from a particular situation, take a break. If possible, find a quiet space and sit down. Also, feel free to lie down. Close your eyes, keep the spine erect, and focus on your breath. You may want to set a timer.
Meditation helps to calm and ease the mind. If you are having disruptive thoughts, sit and meditate. The practice of seated meditation helps grow the spaces in between each thought you have.
It may take some time to become proficient at the practice of meditation, but I know from personal experience that it is worthwhile and fruitful. Meditation has the ability to change your life for the better.
With meditation, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. When a person dedicates himself or herself to the practice of meditation, a person will lose only things that do not serve him or her; and the person will only gain positive things in his or her life, that is a healthier relationship with the self, healthier relationships with other people, and so on.
People from all cultures, religions, sexes, ages, abilities, genetics, and socioeconomic backgrounds can benefit from the practice of seated meditation. Meditation can be for everyone; meditation is for the people!
The practice of meditation is straightforward and cost-effective. Seated meditation does not require special equipment or costly training.
Simply-stated: sit in a chair or sit on the floor. Keep the spine long. If this does not feel comfortable, feel free to lie down on your back. Perhaps, deepen your breath. Focus on your breath. Allow your mind to still. Breath in through the nose and breath out through the nose or the mouth, whatever feels more natural to you.
Seated meditation can be practiced virtually anywhere – in the bedroom, on a chair, riding the bus, in the office, sitting at the park, or even while driving a car. Just kidding! Do not attempt to practice seated meditation, while operating heavy machinery, especially a car on public roads. In summary, seated meditation can be practiced safely in many different settings to reduce stress.
Remember, avoid judging your ability to enter into a meditative state of consciousness. Doing so will only increase the stress you may be experiencing. Entering into a meditative state of consciousness takes time and practice. The important thing is to practice seated meditation on a regular basis.
There are benefits from one-time sessions of meditation; yet, the profound benefits can only come through daily practice. Start off with 3 minutes each day and build from there.
In summary, seated meditation is an effective coping skill to reduce stress. Meditation is most effective when practiced on a daily basis.
Please comment in the box below and reflect on your experience with meditation as a way to successfully adapt to changes in your life.
