What does it mean to meditate?

Several times, when talking about our holistic holidays, I happened to hear people saying “I am not able to meditate”, thinking that meditating means sitting still for hours in the same position and reaching a particular state. Meditating does not mean isolating yourself, having unsettling experiences, or controlling your mind.

Meditation is first and foremost a training in awareness. Simply working with the mind leads to a better sense of presence, calm, attention, and an increase in human qualities such as empathy and patience. We do not have life under control, but we can more control our actions and especially our reactions. To be able to do this we must be present and nothing makes us more present than the practice of meditation. Perhaps learning during a yoga retreat or an Ayurvedic stay and continuing in everyday life.

In fact, meditating means first of all becoming fully aware of the present moment, without judgment. Paying attention to the here and now means perceiving what is happening on a physical, emotional and mental level. It means observing, without falling into a judgmental attitude, the sensations that are experienced, the thoughts that arise, the moods that come to the surface.

So how to do it? Here are some steps.

You can start by sitting cross-legged or even on a chair, but always with a straight back. Looking towards a fixed point with a blurry gaze, begin to take a few deep breaths and then gently close your eyes.

Take a few minutes to feel the body, observe your posture and the sensations the body feels. Recognize your senses: notice everything you can smell, feel or taste and the sensations of heat, cold or wind.

Slowly turn your mind inward. Scan the body from head to toe, noting any tension or discomfort. Without trying to change what you find, simply taking note of it.

Observe your thoughts. Without judgment, observing them and letting them go.

When the mind wanders, focus on the breath.

Regain awareness of the physical sensations: of the chair, of the contact of the feet with the floor, arms and hands resting in the lap. Notice everything you can hear, smell or taste. Finally, slowly open your eyes.

Difficult to do it alone? Then try offering yourself a wellness holiday, a yoga and meditation retreat during which you can learn the basic techniques. A joyful moment of deep rest for the mind and body, in magnificent places and in excellent company.

Do you think a wellness holiday is just a weekend at the spa? Then try to look at our proposals:  yoga retreats, Ayurveda retreats, a detox or weight control program, a stress management program. A single denominator: an act of love for your body and mind.