When I started this journey, my FMP suggested I try mediation to reduce my stress level. A job where you feel under-appreciated and travel too much begins to take a toll on you both mentally and physically. I just didn’t know where to start, and honestly, mediation seems a bit too hippy dippy for my very traditional Missouri Synod Lutheran upbringing. I can just picture Pastor Henderson having a fit that I was looking into things like mediation to ease my stress.
I (of course) did a bit of research. Being a techie, mediation apps see like the logical place to start. I tried them all – Mindfulness, Calm, Tao Daily, Headspace, 10% Happier, Stop Breathe & Think, Mediation Studio – I could keep going but I think you get my point.
I listened to people I admire like Dr Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, Oprah, all talk about how mediation was a part of their daily routines. I just didn’t get it. My brain wouldn’t shut off long enough for me to enjoy the quiet serenity and the apparent peace that comes with meditation. It was frustrating and I figured I could get more out of napping then this stupid mediation stuff.
Like he usually does, Dr. Mark Hyman had an intriguing episode of “The Doctor’s Farmacy“, on mediation. He talked with Emily Fletcher, who taught him to mediate, about her new book “Stress Less, Accomplish More” for all of us high achievers/perfectionist. Many of the words Emily said rang true. “We don’t think we have time to meditate”, “Who is that guy who says meditation means lack of thought?”, “People who mediate gain 3 hours of productivity each day”, “Mediation lets your cells release past stress so you are better able to cope with today”. And most importantly, “the brain thinks involuntarily, just like your heart beats involuntarily”. Cue angels singing! Music to my ears.
In true Molly-fashion, I bought her book that day – consumed it as fast as humanly possible, and began my meditating practice, 2x a day for the last 3 weeks. I am still learning. But in a very short amount of time, I’m seeing subtle changes. I don’t need as much sleep as before, waking up earlier, going to bed later. When I go to bed, I sleep, solidly sleep. No more waking up at 3:00 am. to rehash work. Thank you Lord! I feel more productive – and what I accomplish takes less effort. I simply don’t procrastinate to get things done – I just do it and move on. Perhaps this is just better focus.
Most of us don’t even know what we are missing – I know I didn’t. It truly is the peace that passes understanding. All our crazy issues like anxiety, panic attacks, depression, anger, rude and sarcastic behavior, excess weight and a whole host of other things, are simply ways the body deals with stress. And if we’ve never been shown how to get rid of that stress, it will simply accumulate over time. My perspective now is that the world would be a much happier place if we ‘Westerners’ would meditate.
I will revisit this topic again in a few months as my mediation journey continues. For now, I encourage you to find Emily’s book and listen with an open heart. It just may be an answer you didn’t know you were looking for.