Starting Your Mediation Practice in 2020

“The goal of meditation isn't to control your thoughts, it's to stop letting them control you.”
― Anonymous

The end of any year marks a great time to reflect on your growth and achievements. However, it is also a great time to turn our attention forward to the year ahead. This time of year, people across the world are setting new goals for 2020. Meditation is a fantastic resolution that offers plenty of promise for people in the new year. How can you start your meditation practice in 2020?

Results You Can See and Feel

Meditation is more than just a way to decompress after a long, stressful day, it’s a practiced skill that allows us to reconnect with the present moment and reprogram our thoughts. In our busy lives, getting swept up with worry about the past or anxiety about the future can be easy. Incorporating 5 minutes of meditation per day can make a difference in your mindset and attitude. Mediation is associated with reducing stress and anxiety as well as improving your attention span, self-awareness, and insomnia.

These books are some of the many excellent resources available for understanding the practice of meditation including the benefits as well as some simple exercises to help get you started.

• Beginning Mindfulness by Andrew Weiss
• How to Meditate by Pema Chödrön
• Buddha's Brain by Rick Hanson
• Emotional Chaos to Clarity by Phillip Moffitt

(Keep an eye out for an upcoming article with even more details about each of these resources.)

My Personal Experience with Meditation

I first discovered meditation during my yoga teacher training program.  While I found this part of my yoga experience relaxing at the end of the asana (movement) section, it was definitely the most difficult part of the practice for me.  To lay or sit in stillness felt indulgent when I had so much to do, all I could think about was all I had to do.  This translated to skipping my meditation frequently, because who wants to do something that is difficult all the time. Eventually, with more regular practice, this became my favorite part of yoga, and I often skipped the asana and went straight for the meditation.

So, what changed?  How did this switch in beliefs happen?  For me, two things helped me recognize the power and benefits of regular meditation practice.  First, I realized, it wasn’t just rest and that it was much more beneficial than say a nap. YES, it was rejuvenating at times, like a nap.  I realized it wasn’t indulgent or a waste of time.  Even more, meditation gave me an opportunity to quiet the constant chatter in my mind and connect with my deepest values and desires.  There was a lot of chatter that included judgments and expectations, other people’s voices and opinions running through my head.  Don’t get me wrong, there is still a lot of chatter, but I am able to sift through it and recognize my own voice when I sit in stillness and quiet.

Second, a community of like-minded people was of huge support for me.  I found many people online that believe in the power of meditation and have regular practice themselves. I was able to bounce ideas off this community.  I found a mentor in my field that guided me in the direction of using meditation to support my journey of personal and professional development.

Now, I am honored and inspired to have the opportunity to practice with my yoga and Pilates students and the other teachers of the community at my business locally.  Additionally, I regularly attend meditation workshops and retreats to re-ignite my passion and motivation.

Strength from Within with Regular Practice and From the Community

Just like any skill, meditation takes practice. For those positive effects to start to compound, repetition, and guidance are key. You wouldn’t expect to play the piano perfectly, or even well the first time you give it a try.  Skills take practice.  And lots of practice!

I have recently read a book that I found extremely helpful for building habits. The book is called “Atomic Habits,” by James Clear.   When developing a meditation practice, like any other skill or habit, Clear recommends tiny changes to experience remarkable results.  The complex topic of building good habits and breaking bad ones is clearly broken down into steps that are simple to take action on.

One of my favorite quotes from this book is: “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.”

Strength From a Community

Meditation communities are a great way to keep yourself invested in the practice of meditation. You are not alone! Offer your successes and struggles to a community of people who also practice, and you will likely find similar experiences and support.  The Mindful Movement prides itself on providing high quality guided meditation practices that can be done anywhere on your own or as a group.  We also endeavor to provide an authentic, caring community of individuals seeking personal growth just like you. Be sure to check out the Mindful Movement Facebook Group for an inspiring and engaged community.  Additionally, there are always wonderful conversations started in the comments of our videos on YouTube.

We are here to help with your meditation practice in 2020. If ever you feel like you could use that extra push, our Instagram is also always a great place to find some extra motivation or interact with a positive-minded community. Keep in mind, also, a private guided meditation session is a great way to deepen or re-ignite your practice.  Or a Rapid Transformational Therapy Hypnosis session will help you get to the root cause of a specific presenting problem that you would like to transform.  You can find more information about these sessions here: https://www.themindfulmovementcourses.com/90-minute-session

Grow With The Mindful Movement in 2020

The Mindful Movement is an oasis where you can come to tap into inner peace, a positive mindset and your own ability for healing. If you are looking to dive into the world of meditation in 2020, a great starting point is our 4-Day Meditation Journey. This free program is a great resource for beginners and those looking to step back into the practice of meditation.

The Mindful Movement’s 5-week online course, Living Fulfilled is another great opportunity.  During the course, you will explore how to find your purpose, love yourself, and connect with your authentic self.

Additionally, here are a few great meditation practices for beginners from our channel:

Take a look at this short series of Mindful Tip Video discussing some of the many benefits of meditation: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCQACBUblTbVAsZG2vbh8J426zocffb6E

Ultimately, Les and I at the Mindful Movement really want to offer any resources and support possible to help you develop a strong and beneficial meditation practice in 2020.  Please feel to leave a comment with any other suggestions, comments, or questions for the community!

With love and gratitude,

Sara and Les

The Mindful Movement