Custom Made Meditation

Apparently 1 in 6 Australian's are meditating, but yet I don't hear many people talking about their practice or sharing tips. I am wondering why but whilst I ponder that, I thought I'd share some of what I think is my Custom Made Meditation.

There was a trick I learned for calming my anxious daughter (pictured above in one of her less anxious moments) and when I worked through it with her, I noticed that I too benefited from this short practice which is easy to remember and seems to appeal to kids.

Upon noticing that she is getting wound up or overreacting to what I can see is a tiny issue, I ask Franki to name:

5 things you can see

4 things you can hear

3 things you can feel

2 things you can smell

1 thing you can taste

I've noticed that my daughter can do an instant 180 and without force, she can make sense of the situation.

For me, I find that after this small halt in the moment, I start to think slower, breathe deeper, have a clearer direction for where I want my mind to go, rather than following my mindless / negative / too fast self-talk to wherever it may end up!

Then I take the opportunity to ask my mind - What will you think of next? In that moment, there is a pause, a waiting... that, to me is extremely grounding.

Moving Meditation

Another way I meditate is by swimming laps. Some would say it is not really meditation but to me it is moving meditation. I count my strokes, listen to my breath bubbling out of me and notice the feeling of the water passes over my body.

Walking through Glenrock also has the same affect. Start with the 5,4,3,2,1 method, then listen to the sound of your feet on the ground for a while, reach the view, sit and take it in.

I hope you can make time to try one of these, or design a Custom Made Meditation for yourself.

xo