Meditation is the process of being mentally still with yourself. It can look like a lot of different things, and sometimes it’s found in an unexpected place. Being aware of what’s in your mind is a process that brings strength. The first couple of attempts can sometimes be frustrating. Let’s discuss some of that here.

There are active meditations, and passive meditations. There are guided, and self reliant meditations. There are so many ways to still the mind. It’s important to build on the blocks that you may already have in your life.

For example, someone who has a lot of energy or anxiety may benefit from active meditation, which is allowing your mind to process and think without guidance during a repetitive activity. I noticed that I did a lot of good processing washing dishes. If there is an activity that you do and then walk away from it with good ideas for solving problems or overcoming obstacles, focus on that one.

Some people need to be in a place that is quiet with no distractions. Some people need to be in a place with background noise. Some people use specific sounds, like rain, to calm and listen to the mind. What is important is to notice when the brain lets go of active thinking and allows itself to float around and connect thoughts on its own, without direction. I grew up calling this “sitting with it”, in whatever way worked for you. Others call it prayer. There are a lot of references to this state, and yet it is hard to describe.

A state of meditation is important because it allows your brain to bring powerful subconscious processing tools to bear, making connections and permitting processing that you cannot do just with your frontal lobes. It allows for a greater connection with yourself, and helps with a more regulated system. Regular meditation has shown to have enormous benefits, from feeling better rested, to experiencing more calm, to greater problem solving capability.

If you are frustrated with meditation, then change your mode. If you are trying to sit and look inward without distraction, try doing a repetitive exercise. Runners often report meditative states. Showers sometimes help people meditate. I also found that state as a teenager, when washing the family car. Mowing the grass. I could just kind of zone out and allow whatever wanted to be on my mind, be there.

Someone once described it to me as “picture yourself sitting by flowing water, and a thought comes like a leaf on the water. Acknowledge the thought and let it go downstream.” You can have a focus, or subject, to the meditation. Getting attached to a thought, idea, or topic, however, can interrupt the flow of what your brain is trying to tell you. Frame your intention and then let it go, like blowing a dandelion.

The other place that I found meditative (and I know this is not for everyone) is pod floating. I know this is not a service available to everyone, but if that sort of experience is attractive to you then give it a try. The moment your brain decides it’s going to take over and just process is powerful, and when you “wake” from it, you often feel the impact.

Other forms that I have tried are guided meditations, using imagery, ASMR, walking and counting, running, and deep breathing exercises. The internet (youtube in particular) has some good meditations for grounding yourself, for decreasing anxiety, and for sleeping.

What works for you? What puts you in a state where processing happens in a free flowing manner? Where do you have your greatest flashes of inspiration? Meditation is an important tool in a toolbox for better functioning. Once you are more familiar with that mental space, you can access it more easily. It can be a much needed break in a crowded place, or a way to adjust your state when you just can’t get away.