The Broad Case for Meditation

In the hustle of modern life, moments of bliss can feel like rare treasures. Yet, what if these moments are not as elusive as they seem?  

Have you ever gone camping?  Maybe you ate astronaut food or hot dogs for 8 days.  Maybe you loved getting back to nature, maybe you hated it.  But when you came home, how good was the first hot shower?  That we can all agree on.  Few things can really compete with that kind of simple satisfaction.  

A glass of water when you’re thirsty on a hot day.

A secret to a lot more joy lies in taking advantage of the simple joys, a morning cup of coffee or an evening walk on the beach. Welcome to the broad world of meditation, where the practice extends far beyond watching your breath and embraces the art of marinating in healthy mental states.

When you engage in everyday activities like walking on the beach, sipping coffee, or cuddling with a loved one, you are, in essence, meditating. Meditation, at its core, is about immersing oneself in a state of mindfulness and presence. It's about cherishing and marinating in the moments that bring joy and contentment, allowing them to nourish your mind and spirit.

Contrary to popular western belief, meditation is not confined to traditional practices like watching your breath. Instead, it encompasses a broad spectrum of experiences and activities where the mind is intentionally focused and absorbed. Just as football is one type of sport among many, breath counting is one form of meditation among countless others. Whether it's savoring a hot bath, enjoying a cup of tea, or reflecting on moments of gratitude, the object of meditation can be tailored to suit individual preferences and inclinations.  If the essence of meditation is presence, what you are present of is up to you!

Recent advancements in neuroscience have shed light on the remarkable plasticity of the brain, revealing its capacity for continuous change and adaptation. Every experience, every thought, every action leaves its mark on the brain, shaping its structure and function. Meditation is the intentional direction of this neural transformation. By choosing the object of meditation carefully and consistently engaging in practices that cultivate positive mental states, individuals can sculpt their brains towards greater resilience, well-being, and happiness.

This need not be any esoteric quest to the himalayas.  When we really enjoy our hot showers as if we were coming back from a week in the wilderness, we are harnessing our neuroplasticity.  We are making an otherwise mundane, routine activity come alive with satisfaction, absorption, and joy.  What else would we want to cultivate?

In a world inundated with distractions and stressors, the practice of meditation offers a sanctuary for the mind—a refuge where individuals can retreat to cultivate inner peace and clarity. Whether it's through traditional techniques like mindfulness or the broad practices of beach walking, coffee drinking, and cuddling, the essence of meditation lies in the intentional cultivation of a healthier mental landscape. Through focused immersion in everyday experiences, we can harness the brain's inherent plasticity to shape our well-being and resilience amidst the complexities of modern life.  You don’t have to watch your breath.  You don’t even need to stop.  You just have to pay attention and the secret joy of the simple will surprise you.