Meditation can be a wonderful tool to foster self-reflection, peace of mind and inner peace. Is meditation right for everyone?
Before we get to the details of why meditation fails for some people, I want to make it clear: I have been practicing meditation for 33 years. Each day I begin with one hour of meditation practice and then set aside time for studying mindfulness teachings.
Meditation is my secret weapon of strength. It clears my mind, calms anxiety and gives me a sense of purpose in the face of all life’s challenges. It’s my “spiritual gym”, which never fails to improve my life force.
Is that to say mediation is right for you? It depends on many factors.
Different types of meditation
Meditation can take many forms. Any activity that promotes calm, self-reflection and mindfulness could be considered meditation. Traditional meditation is a silent, focused practice that allows you to relax your mind and body.
This sounds quite chilling, right? What’s the problem?
People who struggle with meditation
Meditation may not be the best choice if you have any of these chronic conditions.
- Anxiety that is intense: Anxiety can cause chaos in your life, including intrusive thoughts and obsessive thinking. An increase in anxiety and dread could be caused by turning your attention inward.
- Depression: People who are suffering from depression often isolate themselves, withdraw and spend too much alone time. Meditation can help you to be more isolated.
- Trauma: Trauma may cause panic attacks and disassociation. Trauma can cause the mind to become disorganized and panic attacks. It is difficult to stop your thoughts from becoming chaotic.
- Psychotic episodes: A break in reality testing that leads to an unstable or fragile sense of self is what psychosis is. Meditation can further exacerbate this break and increase distortions.
- Active addiction: It is difficult for therapy or meditation to work if someone is suffering from active addiction. Meditation can increase the desire to use drugs and alcohol.
Traditional meditations direct you to focus your attention inward. It can cause a war of the minds that causes your symptoms to worsen if your inner world is in turmoil.
There are many nontraditional meditation practices to consider
Meditation can be difficult if you are unable to meditate. You might consider meditations that focus your attention on something other than yourself. You will find that meditation that involves tactile or stimulating sensory experiences can help you get out of your own head and provide a break from inner distress.
One example is a young man who had been traumatized in a serious car accident. He experienced anxiety and other symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. He couldn’t calm his mind no matter what he did to meditate. He felt worse each time he tried to meditate, as if he were failing at it.
One day, while organizing his garage he discovered a piece of fresh-cut pine. He pulled out his pocket knife and sat down on a wooden crate. Then he began to work quietly. He felt calmer the more he concentrated on the wood.
He soon found his way to meditation through wood carving and Whittling. He started by carving simple household items, like forks and spoons. These became gifts for his family and friends. He began to experiment with larger projects, and enrolled in an art class.
His natural talent for whittling gave him the peace and calm he needed. He was able to slow down his heartbeat and metabolism, clear his mind and focus on something other than his pain. He also created objects that were symbolic of healing.
Find your form of meditation
Consider quiet tasks that you enjoy and can use to recharge your energy. Then, see how you feel when you do them. If you feel calmer, more grounded, then you are on the right track.
Walking, hiking, fishing and surfing are just a few of the non-traditional ways to exercise.
Finding the right form of meditation will take some time and effort. Take it easy, and remember that meditation can improve every aspect of your life.
