“I can’t meditate. I’m a type AAA personality with a mind running at a thousand thoughts per second. Give me an F’n break. Sit quietly? For an hour? No way!”
Yep. That was me as well. But I’ve been meditating for 25 years now and will never stop. I’m still a type AAA and am moving all the time in business and running triathlons when I get bored.
But I’m here to tell you, you will never experience anything better and improve your life so much more when you give yourself time to meditate.
Even one deep breath anytime during your day can be a relaxing meditation. Sit quietly or go for a walk. I even meditate when I’m driving ( don’t close your eyes during this one). Seriously! You can meditate any time, any where, and it will drastically improve, if not save your life.
There are a thousand ways to meditate. I like to use the counting method. I count backwards from 60-0. Get comfortable, close your eyes, rotate your neck a couple times to relax, take in a deep breath, fill your lungs all the way to your abdomen, hold for 3 seconds, then release slowly until all the air is out of your lungs and say “60” in your mind. Then keep going all the way to zero.
Easy, right? Of course. It’s the easiest thing in the world and at the same time the most difficult exercise you will ever accomplish.
You know the issue. THOUGHTS! Those damn thoughts. They won’t shut off.
SO WHAT! Your type A personality will always get in the way and frustrate you with the THOUGHT that I can’t quiet my mind.
Bull shit. Do it anyway.
When a thought comes in like, “Oh, I have to feed the dog”, let it go. Take another breath. It’s okay. Don’t fret. Some say you have to start over from the beginning of your meditation because you had an intervening thought. HORSE PUCKEY!
Seriously, sometimes I make it from 60 to 57 after an hour. It was still a productive meditation. But when you get all the way to zero you will feel like you’re floating on a cloud and your entire day will flow.
Start with sitting quietly for 5 minutes. That’s all. Don’t push it. Every little bit will help you immensely. Then keep stretching the time as you become more comfortable. And, by the way, comfort is key. Forget the damn lotus position if you’re not flexible. You can sit with your legs crossed or just lie down. And if a muscle starts to hurt, stop and stretch it out. You’re not trying to be freaking Buddha here. We are simply turning off thoughts and relaxing, not to mention the deep breathing exercise will cleanse your body and give you more energy the rest of the day.
Give it a try type AAA. you’ll be astonished! I promise.