Three Reasons I Meditate
Once I discovered meditation in 2002, I never needed much motivation to continue the practice. But people ask me all the time why I continue my practice so diligently, and so I compiled a list of the biggest three reasons I meditate.
When I discovered the book, Deep and Simple by Bo Lozoff in 2008 (not an affiliate link), he listed the virtues of leading a simple life rooted in deep spirituality. That book became a reference point for me for meditation, mindfulness, simplifying my life, and living true to what I value. Actually, I realize that I reference that book a lot. I need to re-read it again.
[bctt tweet=”Meditation grounds me, centers me, and helps me reach my potential. ” username=”n2itvnspiritual”]
Creativity
After that, I begin to realize what meditation was doing for me. I understood that I had a deep need to express my creativity, and meditation only seemed to fuel that creativity. I have always had an innate need to create works of art. My house is full of paintings that I have not given away, though I have given away countless pieces over the years. I have stacks of drawings, and in the last couple of years, I have been drawn to creating coloring pages and mandalas as an expression of this need to create in tandem with mindfulness.
A mandala I created in 2018.
Tranquility
Another reason I meditate is how calm it makes me feel. People around me have asked how I can remain so calm when life’s events seem to get a little crazy. When things do get a little hectic, my default mode is to be mindful of the breath. Sure, I experience the full range of emotions, and I’m not always mindful in my expression of them, but I do have a sense that I recover more quickly, and I feel more centered in general.
Before starting to meditate, I was naturally an anxious person. Now, I still have bouts of anxiety, but I have managed to avoid ever having to take medication for it, or to seek therapy, because I feel like I can keep it in check with meditation.
Cultivating Spirituality
While I have many reasons I love to meditate, another top reason that I do is because I am and have considered myself to be a very spiritual person. In fact, I really have always been. When I was younger, I was raised in the Catholic Church.
Starting in middle school, when the world “out there” encroached on my well-being, I turned to my faith. I became an acolyte, sang in the choir, prayed countless rosaries, and participated in many other church activities throughout middle school and high school. When the church seemed too small to fit my emerging and evolving spirituality, I began to seek other ways of spiritual expression. It took the form of looking at different Christian churches, but they never seemed to have the depth of answers to my biggest questions.
I began to explore ideas such as the Divine Feminine, and other ways of creating a spiritual life for myself. From 2000 to 2010, I consider this to be my “exploration” period.
Finally, I settled in to my spirituality and meditation – although it continues to evolve – around 2008 (which is the decade of my 30s) and really came to know meditation as a spiritual anchor.
I could explore life’s toughest questions and get insights and answers to that which I sought – all from the depths within. I began to understand how much I needed silence in my life, and how I knew I had an inner wisdom that I could not consciously fathom. Because of all this, I was highly motivated to meditate. I feel like it has become a focal point in shaping my entire life and worldview.
Subsequently, my life has drastically changed as a result. I have simplified. I have an intense feeling of compassion for all other beings. I no longer seek monetary gain as a way to show my success (not that I ever really have), but I seek to build my character and to become the highest version of myself.
At this point, I feel like I must walk this journey no matter what my personal cost. That means I have lost friends in the process. I have been horribly misunderstood in my actions. I have been seen as entirely weird and unconventional, but the door has opened. I have walked through, and there is no turning back lest I close the door to my heart.
Meditation Certification
By the time this post goes live, I will have completed my meditation certification. I am traveling around Arizona before heading back to North Carolina. Next week, I will be able to tell you about the journey – the eight-day retreat, the written journal I will have kept…
In the meantime, if you leave a comment, please know that I welcome them and will return them in-kind upon my return (though it might take a few days!). Thank you, dear friends, for your support, love, compassion, and kindness!
What better reasons than the three you listed here. Honestly, I love all of them, especially the idea of being more creative from it. So, may need to give meditation another go when I can now. Thanks for sharing and hoping your week ahead is as awesome as you are! Hugs xoxo <3
Janine – hehe, I love all these reasons, too. 🙂 I’ll teach you. On Zoom, maybe. Hehe. Thank you, always, for your sweet comments and support and just know how much I appreciate you! xoxo
Thanks for the reminders Cynthia. I need to get more grounded in quiet and stillness! Kudos on your dedication to meditation and the path of spirit.
Brad – thank you! You know, funny you say that. I’m reading a book that talks about going beyond meditation, and going completely silent for a day or for several days a month. Literally not doing anything, to teach your mind how to listen to your heart. No reading, no meditating, no coloring, no listening to music or using technology, literally, you’re just sitting and maybe napping from time to time and “if you need anything to do, listen to the heartbeat.” I have no idea if I’ll try that (doing a 24 hour personal, silent retreat was already hard enough and I was allowed to read spiritual material and draw mandalas in a meditative manner, as well as meditate and go walking). I can’t imagine just sitting and staring in absolute silence for 24 hours. Eep! lol. But maybe I’ll try it sometime…I try to be open to things. Hehe. Happy Monday. Hope you’re well!
Thanks Cynthia. I can’t imagine 24 hours in silence either, unless I was out in nature somewhere. 🙂
In nature, I think it would be easy. But to be confined to a room with only yourself for company and not doing anything else? Eep!
This is my last online obligation for the day, and it is an obligation of love. It’s always nice to read about my Lil Sis.
You know what? The world needs more people like you. If you could find a way to clone yourself, please do so!
Gotta run…chicken coops need painting and it’s going to be hot, hot, and hot this afternoon.
Hugs coming your way!
bill
Big Bro! Thank you for your obligation of love. Hehe. The world needs more good people like you, too. You’re level headed, kind, and have a big heart. Not to mention lots of chickens. Those little ladies need love, too. 😀
And I must say, you have to be a chicken-coop-building EXPERT by now. You gonna write a book on that? Because I’d bet you’d find an interested audience. lol.
Stay cool, Big Bro. You’re awesome!
You DID it!!! Well done 🙂 So proud of you and can’t wait to hear ALL about it.
Finally finishing listening to and replying back to your lovely messages. I missed them!
(Have been a little out of it lately – will fill you in this weekend).
Sending big hugs your way, sweet friend xxx
Sweet Melanie! I checked out your beautiful new blog and hopefully you saw my comment. 🙂 So psyched that you’re part of my journey. I’m so glad to know you. And all those messages. WOWZA. So fun!! Sending you big hugs and thank you, THANK YOU for all the support and love!
Dear Cynthia,
The three reasons that you meditate are why I love you…your creativity, your peacefulness and your spirituality.
Love you, truly, dear friend,
Maria
Maria – thank you so much for your sweet comment. I, too, love your creativity, your peacefulness, and your spirituality!! Sending you hugs! xoxo
🙂