Wellness Challenge #3: Daily Meditation

Wellness Challenge #3:

Daily Meditation

So far this year we’ve done a diet challenge and a fitness challenge. Now it’s time for our first mental wellness challenge! We figured what better mental wellness challenge to start with than meditation. It’s something neither of us has ever done outside of a yoga class and we know it has many benefits from reducing stress and anxiety to strengthening attention span and memory.

What we challenge you to do:

Pick a form of mediation {read on for ideas} and do it every day for at least 10 minutes a day.

Why we chose this challenge:

We’ve noticed that we are constantly being stimulated. We are always thinking about something, watching/listening to/reading something, and working on something- often all at the same time. We rarely give ourselves the chance to just be, focus on the moment, and create a feeling of space. We’ve noticed that it’s harder for us to sit still and to sit in silence and we often end the day overly stressed or anxious from that constant stimulation.

How To Meditate:

There are so many different ways you can choose to meditate. Choose whatever seems most intriguing to you. Here are some ideas:

Use the app Headspace {Lena’s method of choice} or any other app
Sit in a comfortable place, try to clear your mind, and focus on your breath {Bassam’s method of choice}
Journal: free write for 10 minutes without stopping or judging what you are writing
Mindfulness: pick something to do mindfully and do that same thing every day. Can be making coffee, chopping vegetables, washing dishes, whatever. Perform each action slowly, deliberately, and mindfully. Focus on each sensation you are experiencing rather than other thoughts
Walking meditation: choose a large, safe space like a field. Walk slowly and continuously while paying attention to your breath
Shaking meditation {more info here}

Quotes on Meditation:

“Don’t hate the arising of thoughts or stop the thoughts that do arise. Simply realize that our original mind, right from the start, is beyond thought, so that no matter what, you never get involved with thoughts. Illuminate original mind, and no other understanding is necessary.” ~Zen Master Bankei Yotaku

“The thing about meditation is: you become more and more you.” ~ David Lynch

“If you have time to breathe you have time to meditate. You breathe when you walk. You breathe when you stand. You breathe when you lie down.” ~Ajahn Amaro

“So what is a good meditator? The one who meditates.” ~Allan Lokos

“While meditating we are simply seeing what the mind has been doing all along.” ~Allan Lokos

“The past is already gone, the future is not yet here. There’s only one moment for you to live.” ~Buddha

“Do not expect your life to be improved if you’re not willing to improve yourself.” ~Anonymous

“When we pay attention, whatever we are doing…is transformed and becomes a part of our spiritual path. We begin to notice details and textures that we never noticed before’ everyday life becomes clearer, sharper, and at the same time more spacious.” ~Rick Fields