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Dr. Kildare (Richard Chamberlain) was my hero! I loved him and loved every role he ever starred in – including the movie Shogun that was filmed in 1980. All these many years later there is still one thing that lingers in my mind from that classic film. There was an incident where the lovely young Japanese woman named Mariko explains to Anjin-san (Richard Chamberlain) that even surrounded by chaos, confusion, and crowds; she is able to go within and be at peace. That was my first introduction to the concept of meditation and I wanted to know more.
Nowadays little children know about meditation and yoga. They hear the words zen and bliss and have a basic understanding they mean something soothing and relaxing. Isn’t that what we all want?
It must be because I received eleven unsolicited emails just today from eleven different expert sources on all the myriad benefits of meditation (see below.) Even if you may not have a clue how to mediate, in your core I believe you know it to be a healthy practice. It’s like you may not understand exactly how the digestive system works, but there is a part of you that knows an organic carrot is healthier than the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. So…we are going to go with the premise that meditating is good for you if for no other reason than it slows aging!
But how do you do it? It’s like the little kids that appear to be born knowing how to operate an iPad. They seeming adapt easily and effortlessly to new ideas and concepts – including meditating. But many of us Sassy over 60’s struggled with or are still struggling with an iPad – let alone figuring out how to meditate properly.
The good news is there is no right or wrong way to meditate. There is no “one size fits all.” You don’t have to sit in a lotus position on the hard floor with a strange pillow for half an hour and chant.
I tried that “half an hour on the floor” with a timer focusing on my breath like I was instructed to do in all the articles I read. I tried that on and off for about ten years and never mastered it. Heck, I never even came close. Then one day…
I was in the zone! I was in my car – driving! I left my job, drove home, and had no recollection whatsoever of how I got there. I didn’t remember anything: not getting on the freeway, not the cars around me, not the traffic, not the noise, not the exit – nada. Eureka! If I could do that in the car then I knew I could do it anywhere. And, of course, I decided it would be safer OUT of the car. I am sure you have had the exact same car experience. That means you too are capable of getting in the zone and meditating.
After my “car awakening” I starting walking meditations in nature and around the neighborhood. I could get into what I call the “Zeck Zone;” a place where I was totally at peace, relaxed, and seemingly other-worldly. I am able to quickly transition into the “zone” on my roller blades, though I don’t recommend that unless you are a seasoned skater.
Summer is my favorite season and I am blessed to have a swimming pool with waterfalls cascading over rocks. Living in Palm Springs is like having four seasons of summer, so my favorite place to meditate is in the swimming pool. I have a pool chair and mat that work perfectly for my meditations. I do about fifteen or twenty minutes every day (I started with 5) and it’s my favorite part of the day.
One “trick” that I discovered that helps me get in the zone and quiet my mind instantly is to actually physically try to look through where “my third eye” would be with my physical eyes closed tightly shut. By concentrating on trying to look outward, I see vivid colors in my mind and feel like I am in a different state. For me I am so focused on visioning that I don’t hear anything around me. You might give it a try!
But what if I fall asleep? What if my husband thinks I’m crazy? What if I don’t have a swimming pool? It doesn’t matter. Just try. Don’t judge. I have taken 5-minute meditations in the ladies room or gone out to my car in the parking lot and taken 5-minutes there. Airplanes are great. Just put in your earbuds and get in the zone. I love guided meditations with music too. You can even download apps for your smart phone. I think you’ll be surprised just how easy it can be and your body, mind, and spirit will benefit it the process!
I have had the honor to travel to Japan a half dozen times. The last time I was at Narita airport in Tokyo I had to wait to get pushed (literally) out the door to catch a taxi to get pushed onto the train by a professional pusher. In that crowded rush hour train I thought of Mariko (and Richard Chamberlain) and closed my eyes and went within.
Namaste.
The spirit in me honors the spirit in you.
Meditation reduces stress.
It improves concentration.
It encourages a healthy lifestyle.
The practice increases self-awareness.
It increases happiness.
Meditation increases acceptance.
It slows aging.
The practice benefits cardiovascular and immune health.
It improves your skin.
It lowers blood pressure.
It increases libido!
It helps you become a SASSY lady😉!