So that's what Meditation is all about..

Quick activity to understand roughly 1/10th of the “goal” of meditation.This post is similar to 1 slice of pizza. By looking at one slice, you can infer a good estimate of the rest of the pizza. Below, you will find that slice.

Meditation. The word is most likely defined poorly internally to you. Its true nature is not commonly felt when read. To most it has no effect. Similar to if I said “Blake!” Without context, he is a random person you do not know. To someone that is experienced with Meditation, a different feeling arises at the mention of the word. As though I said the name of a close friend. Much different “feeling” is associated with it. I invite you to become "friends" with it. Here is an activity to get you closer.

Take your right hand and rub it on the front of your right leg while you read this paragraph. It doesn't matter where you rub. Do this 15 to 20 times back and forth. Do it as though you are attempting to pet a wild animal for the first time, slow and rhythmic. Make sure there is pressure that is not hard, yet not soft. Keep going. Back and forth. keep going. Do not stop until you have finished this paragraph. For the speed readers make sure you get a minimum of 15 total back and forth. When you stop at the end of this paragraph, sense the sensation afterwards on your leg or hand. There will still be an “after feel” on your leg and hand. Sense for what is the most powerful. Leg or hand. Focus on it. Then see if there is any other parts of your body that is giving a sensation of some sort. Do not lose the original sensation as you scan the rest of your body. Feel it all at the same time. Get ready. Feel the main sensation then alter your awareness to other parts of your body. Feel this for at least 20 seconds. There is no failing at this. If you lose focus, come back to the main “after feel” then explore your body again. Stop. Feel!

Try again if you feel that you did not quite get to the point of being able to feel multiple body parts at the same time.

Great work!

You have always had this ability. On to the fun part. A question that may have arisen. Is it possible to feel the whole body at once through enough practice?

Everyone can do this. Now for the mind blowing stuff. This is only one sense! You can do the same thing for sound…. Vision…. Smell…. Taste…. Believe it or not, you can do it for your thoughts. Maybe you have guessed it by now. Yes! You can be aware of them all at the same time. This is the “goal” of meditation. To simply BE. To be aware of all senses.

Next time you see or hear about meditation, I invite you to look at it a little differently. With a little more wonder. Maybe you now have a little more appreciation of how alive and engaged it can be to sit peacefully yet be so alive.