Guy Reams (00:01.102)
This is day 220, the subtle power of a daily meditation habit.
I completed 365 days in a row of meditation a few years ago. I used to think the practice was silly, but I decided to sit for 30 minutes every day anyway. There was no secret awakening or profound transformation, but I found a peaceful calmness that changed my mind about the practice. I tried many different methods when I started out. I used phone apps, I read books, I took classes.
I explored a few religious traditions. I attempted guided sessions, body scans, focused attention, and sometimes I just sat still doing absolutely nothing. People told me there was no right way to do it, which frustrated me at first, but I eventually realized that they were correct. I developed a hybrid approach that works for me. I wake up, I find a comfortable chair, I practice some deep breathing.
and I count my breaths until my restless mind settles down. Once I am calm, I move into visualization. I have four major objectives in my life, like winning a long distance race in my age group, and I imagine what achieving them would feel like. After that, I sat still and just let my mind flow. This healing time has brought subtle and slow benefits that accumulate into something amazing.
It reduces my stress, it improves emotional health, and helps me stay grounded despite whatever whirlwind is going on around me. The benefits of this meditation process have been subtle and slow, but each improvement taken into total accumulates to something that's actually pretty amazing. I'm no longer just trying to get through the practice so I can check a box. I'll actually look forward to the time that I can sit quietly.
Guy Reams (01:58.733)
and it has become a highlight of my day. I have made a lifelong commitment to meditate every day for the rest of my life. I don't always achieve that, but I try. If you want to find your own peaceful calmness, find a comfortable chair tomorrow morning and simply sit down and count your breaths to 10. That's basically how I started.