A Meditation Strategy

Are you having trouble meditating properly? It's most likely because you're a visual learner like I am, and you have a hard time keeping your mind focused. I just couldn't do meditation. Even if I sat completely still with no distractions, my mind would always wonder.

So I started using my imagination.

What do I mean by this?

I sit and I imagine time suddenly being gone. Wherever I am and whatever position I may be sitting/laying at the time, I erase all expectations. It's like taking a heavy backpack off and feeling relief afterwards. I imagine pushing that weight of time off. No expectations, no judgments, only myself and nature. I have nothing to think about. I have nothing to do. I have nowhere to be.

Try doing that now. If you're reading this from an outside perspective, you won't fully comprehend what I'm telling you. So imagine it right now. Go to a beautiful place in your mind, free of expectations.

You suddenly have nothing to do, nowhere to be, and nothing to think about. Everything is blank. Everything is clean. You are simply existing in your beautiful place free of worries.

Now focus on your breathing. Feel the air coming in through your nostrils and traveling down to your lungs. Your lungs are expanding as you take a deep breath in and shrinking as you exhale. Imagine this rhythm sending positive waves of energy from your lungs up through your heart and back to your brain. What do these waves look like? What does the air traveling to your lungs feel like?

Think of things that make you happy and see them. Feel them.

Anything at all. Sweet aromas. Laughter. The feeling of being proud of yourself. Think of at least five things and think about why you like them.

Focus on your breathing again.

Next, pick out a small goal to work towards — something a little more easy to do and picture what it would be like getting to it and accomplishing it. Please don't skip out on this part because you're unsure. Brainstorm on something. What do you want to do? What is something you'd like to accomplish? This will be what you think of every time you return to this place until you have it completed.

Now return back to reality.

How do you feel?

Life doesn't have to be stressful. Sometimes we need a mental break to remind us of all the good and rid ourselves of pressure. Take things slow and make small goals for yourself. If you take your time walking up the steps, you'll get to the top safely. If you try to hurl yourself up them, chances are it will be a far less likable journey, and possibly not even make it to the top. Instead of looking at the top, look at each step and be grateful it's there.

Getting rid of your expectations for a short time is healthy. We're always jumping from one thing to the next. Always thinking about when the next time-scheduled meeting is and about how it might unfold. Always thinking about what has already been unfolded.

Anytime you feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stressed out, go to this place where time is still and your mind isn't running so fast, where there are no expectations and you can just be. Just be and just breathe. Try to visit this place at least once a day for reflection. Keep a journal or mark off on a calendar on days you've visited. Try getting seven days in a row, then work up.

Ultimately, you have the power over your thoughts. You can tell it to imagine anything you want.