Why Should I Meditate?

A lot of people (including yogis) have questions on why they should meditate. Questions such as, Is meditation just another “fad”? Am I doing it the “right way”? or, what will I gain from practicing meditation?
 
We spend much of our days rethinking things we’ve already experienced or thought of or plan future scenarios that may or may not occur. We expend so much energy by allowing our brain and thinking mind to take over. In doing so, we lose connection with the source. Enter meditation. Meditation allows us to take the time quiet the brain. It allows us a time to reconnect with our higher selves and our higher purpose. We begin to stop allowing the caricature of life to play through our minds like a movie; we bring our focus to one thing only. That one thing is the present moment. By meditating, we not only connect with the Divine in ourselves and in the world, we make space for new, creative thoughts.
 
The first time you meditate, you likely will not experience any of that (you may, which is be great!). Instead, you will likely struggle with attempting to quiet the mind for perhaps the first time in your life. To help yourself, find a meditation instructor, use a guide to begin with, and follow these steps to lead yourself into meditation:
 
Go to a place dedicated to meditating where there are no other distractions. Begin with simple breathing exercises. Becoming aware of the breath is the fastest way to get yourself in the present moment.
 
Practice yoga asanas for 10 minutes to an hour to get your body relaxed and clear away any blockages or stale energy.
 
Sit in a “natural” position. This isn’t a straight spine as many believe. Feeling relaxed, yet sitting upward is key here.
 
Begin with a simple mantra meditation to keep your breath and mind focused. Only after you have become fully immersed in the one-pointedness of your meditation can you start to let go of the mantra and relax into your bliss.
 
Give thanks! to the Universe and to yourself, you did it!
 
You should meditate to give yourself the great gift of quiet, of connectedness and of peace. Even a few minutes a day will help bring your awareness to the non-thinking part of yourself. Ultimately, your meditation practice will give you not only the answers you seek, but also a calm and peaceful sense of just being..