We often think of meditation as visualization or relaxation exercises. Most novices fear there is some enlightened standard to live up to, imagining rooms filled with yogis sitting silently in lotus position. Yet a meditative state can be achieved through writing, crafts, needlework, and even household chores if the right kind of focus is present.

What is Meditation?

In the most practical sense, meditation includes anything that helps put the body and mind into a different state of awareness and enables relaxation and/or personal growth. Anything done with intent and focus that is capable of stilling the mind and providing mental clarity and connection with the inner (true) self can be considered meditation.

Meditation often helps with emotional balance and grounding. Ideally, a meditation practice is something that is done daily.

Traditional Moving Meditations

• In certain Sufi traditions, dervishes or whirling dervishes dance or spin to reach an ecstatic or meditative state.
• Native American medicine traditions speak of a spiral or frenzied energy associated with the animal guide, Quail, and meditative practices achieved through movement and dance.

In these and other traditions, movement and dance are used as repetitive practices to bring the mind and body into alignment and connect meditatively with something outside – or deep inside – of the human body and spirit.

"Unknown" Meditation

Most of the Western world is out of touch with the concept of daily meditation, but it would be a mistake to assume that the only route to meditation is through Eastern religion.

In any culture or any country, there are hundreds of examples of daily events and rituals that can be meditative if the right kind of focus and attention is paid to them. From household chores, to creative work, to self care, life presents hundreds of ways to enhance our awareness and relationship with the inner self, if we learn to be present.

Common Types of "Unknown" Meditation

Writing. Whether you write professionally, keep a journal to record your thoughts and impressions, or simply jot notes or lines of poetry onto scraps of paper, writing is a profound way to connect with the subconscious and give voice to things that might otherwise not be expressed or processed. People who write daily may find they are calmer, clearer, and react with less stress to situations that may arise during the course of the day.

Movement. Exercise helps put aside the pressing needs and demands of the mind and forces the body’s needs and voice to take precedence. Dance, jogging, yoga, or anything that gets you out of your head and into your body can be a valuable meditative practice.

Washing the dishes and other household chores. Do you find dish-washing – or any other household chore – just a little bit soothing? Anything that provides a moment of calm in a sea of hectic daily duties can be a kind of meditation.

Crafts, needlepoint, painting and other creative work. Do you knit, crochet, crosstitch, paint, draw, sew, collage, cut and paste, or color? Any creative endeavor can be meditation.

Meditation doesn't have to mean yoga or breath exercises. Writing can be a powerful meditative practice; so can knitting, painting and even washing the dishes.

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xoxo

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