more on meditation....

I have been listening to a lot of work by Osho recently, one of the great contemporary mystics of our time, a prolific speaker and writer who has left us a huge legacy. One of the areas of his work that I think is very applicable to today being his thoughts on a meditation practice being individual, so for each of us that can be different. 
This inclusive approach can mean that for all of you who say 'I can't meditate because I can't sit still' there is hope.....you don't need to sit still. There are a lot of myths surrounding the art of meditation that put a lot of people off. Many assume that it belongs in the domain of the 'hippy', needing to dress in a certain way, hold particular world views or religious affiliations and sit cross legged under a tree in order to 'meditate'....this is absolutely not so. Anyone who wishes to reconnect with their own sense of inner peace can develop a meditation habit, and anyone who is feeling stressed, unable to focus, experiencing fatigue, anxiety of insomnia will benefit.....so that's just about all of in the modern world then!! The good news is that even a few minutes a day can be extremely helpful to your stress levels.
Osho describes meditation very simply as 'nothing but the discovery of the inner sense' as the time when the mind, body and spirit are all in harmony. For many people this may be best achieved when doing something physical such as running or cycling.
As with everything, building any habit takes practice and regularity, starting small to avoid getting disheartened and building it up. Joining a group or attending a course gives support and encouragement which can be very helpful in the early days, or at times in our life when we wander of track and get jaded with something. All of this is normal, and as I repeatedly say, one of the most important elements is to be kind and encouraging to yourself. The way you speak to yourself is very important, as you are listening and positive self talk is so much more helpful than negative.......but thats a different topic!!
For help and support with any aspects of starting and maintaining a meditation practice, or for groups and course near you, drop me a line