(Meh)ditation

For most of my life I completely dismissed meditation as boring rubbish. Sure, it was ok for the hippies, flakes, and losers — but I was a real person, with a real job and a real life! Who has time to meditate? And why on earth would you want to sit around and do. . . nothing?

It made no sense to me.

And I grew up in Santa Cruz, a beautiful sea-side town affectionally known to many for its hippie vibe.

So it’s funny that I teach people how to meditate and practice mindfulness in daily life.

What changed?

Well, I found a teacher. Not that I was looking for one. But a series of random events brought me to a small group class, and that was the beginning of taking the “meh” out of “meditation.”

My first big insights:

I didn’t have to be sitting on the floor, wearing weird clothes, with incense smoldering in the corner. It was something I could do in a chair, in my work clothes. No incense required.

It wasn’t about sitting and closing my eyes, and then waiting for something to happen. It was about becoming more observant and aware of what was happening right in front of me. I felt like a scientist, or an anthropologist.

I’d feel more relaxed and energized. . . at the same time!

My home practice could be just 5 minutes. . . and it still worked! I’d go to class once a week for a longer practice and group discussion, then practice on my own in these bite-size meditations that fit my life. Awesome.

It was a revelation.

Meditation gave me a fresh perspective on my inner thoughts and emotions, and also a new way to think about the challenges of work and relationships. It let me see things in a new light. Gave me a fresh perspective.

Which changes everything.

Once you see something, you can’t un-see it. And once I saw for myself how useful, practical, and awesome meditation was, I couldn’t not practice. And I couldn’t not share it with others.

And that leads me to the whole point of this post, which is to tell you to read this post by my friend Heath. He heard my interview on The App Guy podcast, and reached out to me with some questions. I pointed him in the right direction, and then, well, you can read what happened after that.

Here’s a quote to get you started:

Being a type A personality growing up, I always cold-shouldered the thought of meditation because it just seemed ridiculous. I didn’t have time for it – I didn’t need it – I definitely didn’t want it. . .

SHENANIGANS!

I was living every second in the quicksand, barely keeping my head above the oxygen level. Something needed to change. . .

The story of what changed is so beautiful. I know I’ve been there. Maybe you have, too. I think you’ll love Heath’s story. I’m happy to have been a part of it!

—

Listen to my interview with Heath on The Artrepreneur Now podcast.

Listen to my interview with Paul Kemp on The App Guy podcast.

Kim Nicol - meditation and mindfulness coach