Meditation is among the greatest gifts I have received in my life. And as a regular practice, it is one of the greatest gifts I can offer myself. Not long into my practice of meditation, I realized that it is a gift I end up offering other people I encounter in my life. It is the gift of bringing more presence and peacefulness into my daily interactions. Perhaps it is a gift you might consider bringing into your life, or more deeply.
Various forms of meditation have been around for longer than we can even know, but it’s safe to say after thousands of years that it is a beneficial and transformative practice. There are many ways to approach meditation, and various intentions one might carry into it. Perhaps the best attitude for meditation is one of openness and curiosity — a willingness to explore oneself a bit more attentively. By sitting comfortably
and simply noticing the touch of our breath (ideally through the nose), we can ground ourselves in the present moment, not getting caught up in our habitual speculation, memory, and judgment.
Practicing presence in this way allows for the inner stillness that true contemplation requires, keeping us from getting caught up in our repetitive and reactive thinking. One way to observe our progress in meditation is by monitoring our physical relaxation and mental alertness, like two sides of a coin. By allowing our bodies to relax, we invite the energy and intelligence of nature to bring us back into balance. By staying wakeful and alert, we strengthen our awareness, developing peace and perspective. The combination of these elements is experienced as calm and clarity.
I encourage you to explore various styles of meditation and find a practice that suits you. We at CPYC are planning to launch a regular meditation gathering in the near future, so keep your ears open and please feel welcome to join us for meditation very soon.
In the meantime, please try out a very brief introduction that I have prepared for you, I wish you well as you make space to slow down a bit and tune into deeper peace and presence!
James
James Aitchison, Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying)