When you think of meditation you probably picture something like these guys.
Everyone wearing white, barefooted, and doing a real special kind of zoning out.
Well, that’s one picture anyway. But the reality of meditation is a lot more useful and varied than you might imagine.
In this week’s episode of The Anxiety Guru Show I explore meditation in a brand new way.
Usually I do a little research and combine it with my own experience to deliver something of value.
But this week I went above and beyond. I reached out to two meditation experts to help me understand the real value of meditation as a means of reducing anxiety.
I spoke to wellness expert Kathy Gruver PhD and mindfulness meditation teacher Devon Rath.
Both have years of experience with meditation and shared some really thought provoking ideas during our talk.
They opened my eyes to how meditation can take you far beyond relaxation and pave the way towards true emotional acceptance.
Looking back now, I realize that I was able to achieve emotional acceptance without meditation, but the road I took was crude and inefficient.
I learned a ton during my talk with Dr. Gruver and Devon. But here are the 3 most important things I learned:
1. Meditation teaches you acceptance. When you are meditating you’re not trying to silence your mind, rather you’re trying to train yourself to not judge your thoughts.
Simply thinking about acceptance can make it happen over time but it’s super hard. Meditation is a structured way of doing the same thing.
It requires patience and practice. The two most important parts of learning how to accept your anxious thoughts.
2. Meditation helps you tap into your “inner observer.” It’s the part of your mind that isn’t moved by fear or worry.
If you learn how to identity this part of your mind and make it stronger then you’re better able to contend with any feeling or thought without the urge to run away from it.
There is an enormous inner strength that all of us have but often don’t take the time to cultivate. Meditation helps you harvest the strength that’s already there.
3. Meditation comes in many shapes and sizes. Some people don’t feel comfortable with meditation because it conjures up images of far eastern religion.
But the truth is that meditation can be done in many different places, positions and doesn’t have to involve religion.
Listen to this week’s episode of the podcast and comment below!
Ben O says
Meditation, particularly breath/mantra meditation, has been the key to overcoming anxiety for me. I recommend it.
Great article and podcast.
Ben
SarahC says
About Dr. Gruver, I have trouble taking anyone seriously that believes in homeopathy. Not saying that this lady it wrong, but it takes away from her credibility in my eyes.
Past life regression? We DON’T have control of our stress response. We can how we react to it but not it in itself. She’s wrong there.
The speaker is much more relatable. At least it’s scientific.
Thanks!
Robin S says
Thanks for the post! Always a great reminder to do the “simple things”…like breathe! So simple…so powerful. Know that these reminders create little shifts that have a huge impact for everyone…not just “the gurus!” 😉