Our minds are generally pretty well preoccupied at any moment of our day. As well as domestic and family responsibilities many of us have professional responsibilities and matters of business management, all requiring our concerted effort of thought.
We also have to think about our financial situation and material security. In addition, we hold serious thoughts of concern over the conditions and welfare of others as well as ourselves and contend with difficulties in personal relationships and our love life. We have many concerns. Our brains get constant exercise and often get tired. It is then that we shift to thinking about other things such as our future enjoyments and holidays.
We have chaotic but persistent thoughts related to daily living and practicalities of material existence. Our minds are filled with a constant flow of thoughts of varying importance and intensity. Because of persistent mental activity, our brains become tired and the efficiency of our thinking process is threatened.
We all need a little time to ourselves – a little psychic or secret space in which we find our centre, our balance and our inner peace. These moments give us opportunity to detach ourselves or distance ourselves from the problems, people, responsibilities, and influences that fill our days.
We need to learn not only how to refresh our bodies through the practice of relaxation but how to free our emotions and minds of brain strain to find refreshment for our whole being. This is the aim and the reward for those who meditate.
Start by sitting upright with eyes closed in a quiet, congenial atmosphere where you have complete privacy – free of noise, interruption or intrusive influences. Reflect on your day from the moment of awakening that morning, to the present time. Then reverse the process, going back to the moment of your awakening.
This is an opportunity for an appraisal of your day’s activities and assists memory training at the same time. Continue to remain absolutely still. Wait and watch the thoughts that pass through your mind, without stopping to reflect – just let the thoughts come and go. Gradually, thought activity is reduced.
Then quietly with each deep breath mentally affirm a simple positive statement of choice, or one that reflects how you feel, such as ‘I feel relaxed and peaceful’ or ‘I am serene, calm, strong.’ Enjoy the experience of well being that follows.
Learn more about the art of meditation and how to keep your mind untroubled and give your thoughts an island of calm so that you can truly experience a feeling of total well-being.
Those who practise meditation achieve high quality mental fitness.