I decided to try meditation when I could see what it had done for two friends who have the most fun, strong yet chaotic characters; who always seemed to be spinning on drama or self-sabotaging through low self esteem. It took the edge off their panic, is the most succinct way I can describe it. With one friend in particular the change was so evident and grounded that I asked her advice on how to get into it and she emailed me part of the 21 Day Meditation Challenge from the Chopra Centre.
It must have one of the earlier challenges because it was David Ji who leads the guided meditations, today it’s Deepak Chopra himself. I did that and looked for more, which arrived in the form of the actual 21 Day Meditation Challenge that took place in April. I committed to it, it gave me some peace, and I’ve continued on the journey, both using the MP3s but also finding other mantra meditations and self affirmations that work for me.
Here are some things to know about the Challenge, and the beginnings of my relationship with meditation:
Know that you will get something out of it, pretty much following the moment you embrace it and are open to it.
Know that some days it will be impossible to win over the worries or thoughts popping into your head, but it’s not a big deal.
Know that you will find breakthroughs or alternate solutions to problems at work or in your social life if you stop to meditate before making a decision.
Know that each 21 Day mediation has a theme, that this is meditation with a purpose.
Know that you will find some of the 21 Day themes aren’t for you, but that others are.
Know that you will also find David Ji’s new guided meditations in Soundcloud, and it’s worth checking him out.
Know that meditating every day is like a growing a new muscle, and so you will probably miss some days but return to it.
Know that the results you get will not always be what you expected.
Know that you will realise that meditation is about giving yourself options.
Know that you might find the 21 Meditation challenge too goal orientated, when sometimes you just want to clear your mind.
Know that if you are working your way through something with a therapist, you may find that exercise and meditation will aid your process of progressing through complex issues with clarity.
Know that the more you get into it, you’ll find that meditation and mantras (and by extension life) are all about energy. And that this is the same energy that surfers often talk about when they ride perfect waves.
www.chopracentermeditation.com
Sarah Hay is Paris Editor for i-D Maagzine.
@SarahxHay
