The pandemic has left us all looking for more connection, inner peace, and a better understanding of all of the complicated feelings we’ve been dealing with. Heart-Canvas is a beautiful tool for navigating this crisis and for finding harmony and purpose beyond it.
Times have been considerably tough, and you need all of the support and mindfulness you can get, which is why this is a wonderful time to add a meditation practice to your life. Mediation is about more than just sitting in silence — it’s about getting comfortable with your thoughts and feelings and not letting those emotions cause you additional stress.
Are you ready to start your journey? Use these suggestions to create your own sacred space and practice at home.
First, Set Up a Soothing Space
You need a mellow and stress-free environment to make meditation work. You can create more positivity and calm in your home by getting rid of everyday stressors. Remove excess clutter, clean and organize what’s left behind, and don’t forget to connect with nature by opening windows and breathing fresh, clean air. You can even infuse the air with herbs once in a while.
With your space clear of clutter and negative energy, feel free to set up your sanctuary. This space doesn’t have to be grandiose to support your practice. In fact, simple is usually best when it comes to maintaining a regular meditation routine. A comfortable seat is all you really need.
Take a Seat and Begin
If your meditation space is all set, there’s no reason why you can’t start a new habit right now. Take five minutes to sit still and tune into your breath. You can set a timer on your phone, if that helps, and then just practice calm and quiet.
Feeling unsettled by silence? That’s normal for beginners. We spend so much of our lives surrounded by noise and business. If it helps, you can look for an app for your phone that will guide you through establishing your own meditation practice. Calm and Headspace are two of the most popular, and both offer free trials for a taste of mindfulness.
Don’t Be Unsettled By Thoughts
Perhaps the most common mistake beginners make is thinking they need to be able to clear all thoughts from their mind to successfully meditate. This couldn’t be further from the truth, and it’s honestly impossible for most people. Becoming aware of thoughts and feelings is the heart of any meditation practice, so notice them and then practice letting them float on by.
Need a little more guidance? Get your own Heart-Canvas and let it serve as a compass for navigating thoughts, feelings, and needs. It’s a beautiful item to keep in your meditation corner to help you find the mental clarity and sense of peace you’re looking for during this chaotic time.
Place Boundaries That Allow for Self-Care
You may be curious about fitting a regular meditation into your already packed pandemic schedule. One trick that works is to start your day with mindfulness. Not only will this set a pace for your day, but it will also reinforce the importance of self-care — you can’t take care of others without taking care of yourself first.
Meditation and self-care should be part of your overall self-empathy practice. Steeped in NVC and compassion, journaling and routinely writing about your internal experiences can lead to better understanding. You can use your Heart-Canvas to guide you in this practice as well.
Clarity, compassion, connection, and meaning — these things are critical if we want to keep ourselves grounded during the pandemic. Practice each of these in your everyday routine by practicing meditation. Most importantly, have the understanding that these are extreme times that require deep empathy, both for yourself and others.
By: April Meyers of MindBodyHealthSolution.com