All throughout my life, I’ve often wondered that meditation is something you do while sitting cross legged, with your hands clasped together and sit quietly, and focus on your breath.
However, I’ve come to realize and learn that everything in life is a meditation.
From washing your hands, brushing your teeth, drinking water, eating your food, walking, running, exercising, reading, working, listening to music, dancing, etc.
It may not appear to be, however, if you really immerse yourself, be present in the moment, you will come to find that you are often doing things in a focused and flow like state.
In fact, there are various forms of meditation:
- Traditional sitting meditation
- Tai Chi – more of a body meditation, where you are flowing with nature
- Yoga
- Lifting Weights
- Running
In my life, embracing silence, finding joy in solitude, embracing boredom, and being able to focus for long periods of time has all been forms of meditation.
Actually, throughout my daily life, I consciously focus on my breathing, shut my mouth, listen, and observe more of my environment.
In Buddhism, we are taught to be aware of our mind, body, sensations and thoughts.
That is precisely what I do in my daily life.
From writing here on my website, lifting weights, playing with my son, training my athletes, reading, walking, running, watching youtube videos, listening to podcasts, conducting the admin work in my businesses, etc.
All of life are micro pieces of meditation.
As someone, who suffers from anxiety, overwhelm, stress, being able to have moments of quietness in my life and then being more conscious, quiet and mindful in my day to day interactions with others and the world has allowed me to feel much more at ease, at peace and able to more gracefully and confidently handle all that life throws at me.
Naval Ravikant once said, “being alone is a superpower.”
In fact, Friedrich Nietzsche, once said, “A man can be himself only so long as he is alone; and if he does not love solitude, he will not love freedom; for it is only when he is alone that he is really free.” Nietzsche is highlighting the idea that true self-discovery and potential for greatness can be found in solitude.
Although being alone for too long may be hazardous to our health as we are social creatures.
However, learning to enjoy and embrace silence will bestow upon you a superpower which will allow you to interact with the world in a more mindful, focused, patient, disciplined and all around higher level self.
For me, I’ve come to find everything in life is a meditation and if you become acutely aware of that and can actually meditate while living and interacting with the world, you will see more treasure, superpowers and at the very least, more peace in your life.
Much love.
Sonam