I have been meditating on and off for about three years now. It took a long time before it became a regular habit. In this post, I want to explain what meditation has done for me, and why I think every student should seriously consider developing a daily meditation habit.
Meditation is the Process of Letting Go
I often tell friends that meditation is the process of letting go. As soon as you begin meditating, you are confronted by thoughts, emotions and sensations you would rather not be experiencing. At that moment, you are given a choice. You can accept that you are experiencing those thoughts, emotions and sensations, and let them pass without judgement. Or you can fight against them and cause yourself discomfort.
I have found that in almost every moment of my life, I am fighting against something. I am fighting against deadlines, I am fighting against how I am feeling, I am fighting against a thought I am having, and I am fighting against how my life is turning out. When I meditate, I am given the opportunity to see how much of my life is spent fighting. When I see that, I can let go.
It is a process of letting go, but it is not a process of giving up. I have a lot of work to do in my life, but I don’t need to waste my energy fighting against myself. I can let go of my thoughts, my emotions, my sensations, and then work on the things that are really important to me.
The Benefits of Meditation for Students
There are many books and articles on the internet about the benefits of meditation. I encourage you to look at them. They go into much more detail than I can here. I will just mention a few of the benefits that I have personally noticed.
1. More Energy
This is probably the most noticeable benefit. When I meditate, I feel more energy than before I meditated. I have a lot to do, and being tired makes everything more difficult. On the other hand, having more energy gives me more energy. I can work for longer periods of time without getting tired.
2. More Focus
I have a lot of difficulty focusing. When I am tired or stressed, my mind races and I feel like I am not accomplishing anything. When I meditate, I feel like my mind slows down, and I can focus better.
3. More Love and Appreciation for Others
When I meditate, I feel like I am able to see people more clearly. I see their beauty and their goodness. I feel love and appreciation for them. When I am able to do this, I am better able to connect with them, and talk to them.
The Benefits of Meditation for Life
While developing a meditation habit has benefited me personally, I believe it is also essential for life. Meditation is a way to connect with our real self. It is a way to see what is going on in our mind, our body and our life. As a result, it helps us to adapt and change to improve our life. Here are some of the ways I think we can apply meditation in our everyday lives.
- When we meditate, we can see when we are reacting to something, and when we are responding to something. That allows us to respond instead of react, and to make better choices.
- When we meditate, we can see when we are fighting against something, and when we are embracing something. That allows us to embrace whatever happens in our life, and not waste time fighting against it.
- When we meditate, we can see when we are trying to control something, and when we are letting go of our need to control. That allows us to let go of what we can’t control, and focus on what we can.
- When we meditate, we can see when we are focusing on something, and when we are distracted. That allows us to spend time on what is important instead of what is not important.
- When we meditate, we can see when we are becoming attached to something, and when we are letting go of our attachment. That allows us to be more flexible in our life, and not be attached to what is not necessary.
Begin Again
I think every student should meditate. It can help us to relax, focus, and be more effective in our schoolwork. It can help us to better relate to other people, and to appreciate them more. It can help us to be more aware of what is going on in our life, so that we can make better choices and enjoy our life more. All you need to do is begin, don’t judge, and be kind to yourself.