Meditation has become popular in the West thanks to the New Age movement of the 1960s and 70s. When Maharishi Mahesh Yogi brought Transcendental Meditation to the U.S., we jumped on the bandwagon and the number of meditators of all disciplines, not just TM, has been steadily increasing worldwide ever since.
Scientific studies have shown that meditation has numerous health benefits like reducing stress, improving memory, increasing our attention span, enhancing our will power, giving us better sleep, less pain, lower blood pressure, less anxiety, less depression, and increasing our compassion, so it’s no wonder meditation is a worldwide phenomenon.
There are many different ways to meditate. Click on this link if you want to learn more about them: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/types-of-meditation#loving-kindness-meditation
Meditation Misconceptions
I think some people may have ideas about meditation which have caused them to stop if they have tried, such as it’s too hard or complicated. Others may think meditation is only for certain types of people or that it has no practical application in everyday life so they’ve never tried it.
Yes, there are meditation techniques that require a great deal of discipline and take a while to master. However, meditation doesn’t have to be difficult. You can customize your meditation process to fit your personality, like I’ve done.
I’m a Gemini, and my Life Purpose number is 3, so I’m not attracted to processes with a lot of structure. I like to simply sit in a comfortable chair with my back straight and both feet flat on the floor, close my eyes, and focus on my breathing. Granted, it takes discipline to focus on my breathing when my mind is wandering all over the place, but it takes only a second to bring my focus back to my breath each time I’m distracted by a thought. I don’t use music, scent, or special lighting in my meditation process, but many people like to do that. Whatever helps you is the best way for you.
Sometimes I like to have a theme for my meditation. I choose a word that represents what I want more of in my life, such as peace or trust, and focus on that word as I breathe. As I relax into the meaning of the word, I begin to feel it in my body, and I receive insights that guide me in my everyday life. Sometimes I receive insights or inspiration even though I’ve forgotten the word I started out with. I like to relax into the process and let it guide me.
How long should you meditate?
Some people meditate for an hour or more, which is fine for them, but I could never do it. I started out with five minutes, which seemed like an hour to me at first, and gradually worked up to fifteen minutes, a perfect time for me. Whatever works for you is best for you. The meditation experience is different for everyone.
Personal Experience
For another perspective on this mind-expanding process, watch this fascinating video (19 minutes) of a determined young man who shares his journey through meditating for 1,000 straight days and what he gained from it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pl8Rai0OWM.
If you’ve been avoiding meditation because it seems like too much work or you’d like to have a more personal experience in your meditation sessions, I invite you to take some time to create a version that better fits your personality and life style. There are so many ways to practice meditation, a self-healing experience that anyone can have.
I hope you take the opportunity to find just the right meditation process for you. Meditation can be a simple way to align yourself with the wisdom of your soul.
I invite you to share with us your personal experience with meditation because it could provide insight and inspiration for other readers, too.
Live your purpose, love your life. 
Waking Up 