Meditation: why it gives you strength

I have meditated for ten years. Without prior knowledge, I started a practice known as Zazen. Alternative names exist, but that is immaterial.

My practice forces me to deal with my thoughts and emotions in as direct a manner as is possible.

I know this may be a surprise. Most people think of meditating as the practice of “no thought.” But that is not really true.

It is the practice of being able to separate yourself from your thought.

Which is why Zazen is useful.

There are many ways to meditate. For example, you get apps you can use to listen to music or do something. Some people garden.

But with humility, you are diverting your mind to something else. Since the brain cannot focus on too many things, it gets easily distracted.

From whatever is worrying you at the moment.

Which is fine. I have no argument with that. But there is a difference between diverting and dealing.

The more you practice Zazen, the more you are able to truly seperate yourself from your feelings and emotions. You get better at dealing with your thoughts.

What does that mean, many people ask?

Ten years ago, the process of trigger, thought, emotion, response was all autonomous for me. It did not seek permission. Often I realized that I had felt something long after it had occured.

Now, I am quicker at recognizing. Occasionally, I can sense the emotion while I am experiencing it.

The ability to pause at that moment and reflect is a skill you develop through meditating.

The ability to then ask yourself what you would like to feel and consciously make a choice is a super power.

One that few people will actually develop.

Which is why divert yourself to feel better. Because that is all we can do.

But practicing meditation gives you a skill unmatched. A skill to develop poise, strength and serenity.

Reach out to me on twitter @rbawri Instagram @riteshbawriofficial and YouTube at www.youtube.com/breatheagain