I Had No Idea

With love and understanding for my past self, I admit I was unaware of the true potential of meditation. While I’ve always been on a spiritual quest, seeking fleeting moments of peace amidst the chaos, I often approached meditation half-heartedly. My attempts were typically met with frustration, as I grappled with the idea of achieving a completely clear mind or a blissful state that I dreaded leaving when the session ended. To my former self, I gently say, “You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through life.”

How It All Started

I've previously shared my lowest point in 2020 and the grace that helped me turn my life around. That grace offered me a lifeline, and I seized it, reconstructing my life from the inside out.

Seeking Support

Many of us who have faced trauma or grappled with anxiety or depression often develop a defensive ego that can be quite reactive. When we hear of solutions that have worked for others, our ego might scoff, "That’s nice for them, but you don’t understand my struggles." While this reaction is natural, it keeps us trapped in our misery. I know this because I lived it. Change only began for me when I recognized that my defenses were causing more harm than good. Stuck in a thick fog of despair, I finally admitted that I needed help.

Finding Stability

You might be familiar with the grounding technique where you identify sensory experiences—like saying, "I see a fan, I hear a printer, I smell coffee." My journey to escape my anguish resembled that process, where I could only vaguely point towards what I wanted and name it.

A writer I admire, Amanda Yates Garcia (the Oracle of LA), often discusses the importance of grounding. Despite my ego's dismissive voice, I reached out to her for guidance. She kindly shared a brief recording of a grounding ritual that takes just two minutes. I’ve incorporated some version of that ritual into my daily routine ever since, and I’m forever grateful for her generosity.

Building a Strong Foundation

That simple morning ritual provided the essential groundwork for my transformation. While it may not make logical sense, it felt magical. By committing to myself, I began to feel a shift, and soon I expanded this practice into a more structured meditation routine.

A Customized Approach

One crucial lesson I’ve learned is that there is no universal method for meditation. Many people, including myself in the past, mistakenly believe they must sit cross-legged in silence to meditate correctly. That notion is simply not true! While that form of meditation is valid, it’s just one of countless ways to engage in this practice.

The goal is to find your flow. If you’re just starting, don’t stress about the “how.” Just begin, and don’t dismiss guided meditations.

My Thoughts on Guided Meditations

I used to believe that guided meditations were inferior to traditional forms. Once again, I call that misconception out! Every meditation style holds value. Whether practiced by monks or everyday individuals, each method is equally legitimate.

When I felt ready to progress from my basic grounding exercise, I found that sitting in silence was challenging. Instead, I explored various meditation apps and discovered that Insight Timer suited me best. It offers a vast array of guided meditations from teachers worldwide, making it an invaluable resource.

Consider this: if you aim to meditate for five minutes, would you rather struggle in silence, feeling frustrated by distractions, or be guided through a soothing meditation that leaves you feeling inspired? The choice seems clear, doesn’t it? The ultimate goal is to reach a state of peace and happiness, regardless of the method.

What I've Gained from My Practice

To put it simply, everything has changed. Yet, to be more specific, here are the notable shifts I’ve experienced:

• I feel lighter.
• My compassion towards others has grown naturally.
• I find myself laughing much more.
• I feel more connected to life.
• I am grounded and comfortable in my own skin.
• My patience has increased.
• My anxiety has decreased.
• Most importantly, I’ve truly fallen in love with myself.

Meditation has enabled me to connect with my Better Self, something I struggled to do before. Imagine having a capable driver ready to take the wheel while you focus on what matters most to you—that's the realization I’ve come to embrace.

You Can Achieve This Too

My year-long journey with daily meditation has become the cornerstone of my life, changing it for the better. I want you to know that you can embark on a similar path. Your experience will differ from mine, but your own Better Self is just waiting for you to take the wheel.

If you’re a woman interested in building your spiritual habits to connect with your true self, I’d love to assist you! I offer spiritual habit coaching and community membership at various levels to suit everyone.