Meditation & Your Mind, Body & Spirit

When it comes to meditation – the resources today are endless. I have many different books and audiobooks which have accumulated over the years. Most recently I wrote about His Holiness the Dalai Lama‘s new book, Beyond Religion: Ethics for a Whole World. This book features one of the most simple lessons in beginner’s meditation I have come across.

Regularly, Deepak Chopra has 21-Challenges through the Chopra Center which send you daily guided meditations in order to get you in the habit. And there is undoubtedly a Complete Idiot’s Guide to Meditation (so crude) as well, ensuring that the practice is accessible to anyone who may have a slight interest and veer toward that particular series.

It has become clear to me over time that meditation is not optional if ones goal is to find inner peace. Each time I read a new personal growth or spiritual book, or watch a film based on the subject, the topic of meditation and its importance surfaces. Many claim that the answers we are seeking in life will come to us much easier if we are in this meditative state. (Not to mention the overall health benefits!). A claim I have no trouble believing.

The obvious issue with meditation is that it is not something most of us have practiced our whole lives, and so we must create a new habit. Always tricky. Another obstacle is that of questioning results – Am I truly benefiting? I believe that one meditation session provides benefits immediately. Perhaps only surface benefits, but the rest will come.

Today I wanted to share a favorite Gandhi quote, which is completely relevant to this particular subject:

The spiritual weapon of self-purification, intangible as it seems, is the most potent means of revolutionalizing one’s environment and loosening external shackles. It works subtly and invisibly; it is an intense process though it might often seem a weary and long-drawn process, it is the straightest way to liberation, the surest and quickest and no effort can be too great for it. What it requires is faith an unshakable mountain-like faith that flinches from nothing. ~ Gandhi

 

We would love to hear your meditation stories.

Do you meditate regularly? Do you struggle with finding time?  Do you believe you can find inner peace using other practices?

Please share below!