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I've run into more than one person who "teaches" meditation and is really, really attached to the idea that "clear your mind and focus on your breath" is the only way to do it.
It's not, and also? right now is maybe not the best time for that for many people, for REASONS. >
It's not, and also? right now is maybe not the best time for that for many people, for REASONS. >
Meditation: sometimes a great idea, because when things are crap, being able to dial down your mental and physical stress on purpose is useful.
You're not ignoring the bad stuff, you're trying to not make it worse.
Which means that your meditation type shouldn't ADD stress.
You're not ignoring the bad stuff, you're trying to not make it worse.
Which means that your meditation type shouldn't ADD stress.
So if you're a person who hears "focus on your breathing" and thinks "OH SHIT OH SHIT OH SHIT," especially right now, meditation can still be for you.
You can focus on a mantra instead.
You can do meditative imagery.
There are other ways to this same outcome.
You can focus on a mantra instead.
You can do meditative imagery.
There are other ways to this same outcome.
Mantra: should not be something that further stresses you out. So, for example, "everything is fine"? probably a terrible mantra, due to everything not being fine, you will probably (rightly) mentally rebel at that. Pick something you can lean into and refocus on. It can change.
Meditative imagery: for me, imagining the detailed way that snow drifts as it falls is really good. Or how trees move in the wind. Or waves on the beach, that's a classic for a reason.
Something that is detailed without being narrative or stressful.
Something that is detailed without being narrative or stressful.
If you're a person who goes from waves on the beach to "OH MY GOD IT'S A TSUNAMI RUN CHILDREN RUN" then this is not a good meditative image for you, and maybe you should focus on planetary dynamics or something calmer-for-you.
If, on the other hand, you end up worldbuilding a mermaid society between those waves, you have to ask yourself: is it *calming* and *settling* to you to go from picturing the waves on the beach to figuring out mermaid religion? If so, go with it. Why not. Whatever works.
This has been another "there's not just one way and I don't have all the answers so let's see what works and try not to implode" message from your friendly neighborhood Marissa, please hydrate, thanks.
