Meditation is one of the most accessible ways to instantly boost our moods and clear our minds. To call it one of the easiest ways, though, would not be entirely true — given our busy lives and the constant buzz of social media, achieving total stillness can feel downright difficult. Somewhat paradoxically, this is all the more reason for us to practice meditation on a regular basis.
Whether it’s sitting cross-legged for 10 to 15 minutes each morning or taking a slow walk around the neighborhood each evening, the point of meditation is less about which physical activity we engage in than our mental state during that time. It’s the practice of slowing down and training our minds toward silence and calm that matters most, as we can then carry this stillness into other aspects of our lives.
In addition to alleviating anxiety, meditation can also help us improve our cognitive function and even give us a fresher, clearer lens through which to view our lives. Meditation can even be something as simple as focusing on a mantra or a quote. These 11 quotes could be a great addition to anyone’s practice, and they may inspire us to find ourselves on the cushion more often (either literally or figuratively).
It is indeed a radical act of love just to sit down and be quiet for a time by yourself.
The thing about meditation is, you become more and more you.
Meditation is not about stopping thoughts, but recognizing that we are more than our thoughts and our feelings.
Meditation is a vital way to purify and quiet the mind, thus rejuvenating the body.
Meditation is like a gym in which you develop the powerful mental muscles of calm and insight.
Meditation is choosing not to engage in the drama of the mind but elevating the mind to its highest potential.
Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless — like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.
Meditation is the ultimate mobile device; you can use it anywhere, anytime, unobtrusively.
When meditation is mastered, the mind is unwavering like the flame of a candle in a windless place.
Meditation is not evasion; it is a serene encounter with reality.
The mind is definitely something that can be transformed, and meditation is a means to transform it.
Featured Image Credit: Poike/ iStock
Joyce Chen
Joyce Chen is a writer, editor, and community builder based in Seattle, Washington.
