The Mind Over Matter Workout

     What do you imagine when you reflect on what you know about meditation? Perhaps a person sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, humming, "OOOOOMMMM," kind of goofily? That visual tends to be the typical take-away of meditation in general. However, if you could see inside of the mind of a person meditating you would see an entire process of defined steps for a thorough mental exercise that aids in developing extreme control over thoughts.

     Meditation is the most effective practice currently known to help us achieve ultimate mind over matter ability. When you have a strong hold on what thoughts zip in and out of your mind you gain a controlled perspective in processing all life circumstances. What better time than now to begin exercising your mind in this way? So what are these steps that thoroughly re-route the brain into remaining calm and consistent during tumultuous times? Follow each one in this order:

Step 1: Shift your Mindset & Set Up Your Space

     In order to center your mind a bit before your practice we want to let you know how you can use CBD oil to expand your meditative benefits. Select the CBD product of your choice and be sure to take it 30 minutes before you meditate. This will allow any anxieties of the day to be calmed so that you can focus on finding your center. While you’re waiting for your CBD to settle in, you can set up a nice quiet space to focus on your meditative practice.

     Using incense or some type of aromatherapy is always beneficial as your sense of smell will be heightened while your eyes are closed. Adequate lighting is helpful also as it will help you access your third eye. After you feel comfortable in your space you’re ready to begin the steps that will lead to a successful practice.

Step 2: Find Your Posture

​     Being in the seated position with crossed legs and good posture is important for
every other step in the meditative process. Having a straight spine in a relaxed seated position aligns all chakras, (main energy centers along the spine) and provides clear oxygen flow to the brain. 

Those just beginning to explore meditation may find that maintaining this posture can be distracting from the rest of the process. I highly recommend using a wall as a brace to support the spine and head effortlessly. A pillow placed below the seat is recommended as it drops the knees downward allowing the spine straighter alignment.

Step 3: Access Your Third Eye

     Once you are seated comfortably it is time to access your third eye. This is done by closing the eyes and directing your gaze upward between your eyebrows. You will see the visual of a round space slightly illuminated by light. In order to check if it is in fact your third eye you can place two fingers on top of your forehead where this visual is located and you will find that it disappears as you have blocked the outside light from illuminating it.

     This powerful space in the forehead that can detect light sources is your third eye and the point you will focus on during the entirety of your meditative practice. The more you evolve your practice the easier it will become to maintain your gaze on this focal point for long periods of time.

Step 4: Counting Your Breaths

     After settling in on the first two steps begin to notice your breath. Let the rhythm of breathing flow naturally and then start counting each inhale and exhale all the way up to 10. For example: Inhale, (1) Exhale, (2) Inhale, (3)...and so on. You will count this way until you reach 10 and then you will start over again at one.

Step 5: Clear Your Mind

     The only time you will veer from this pattern of counting and breathing is if you find that thoughts beyond counting begin to come in. This is very common while evolving your practice. The second you recognize any thoughts coming in begin counting your breaths at 1 again. You may find yourself only getting to 2 and having to start over. You may not reach 10 for an entire meditative session. This is totally okay and simply just you training your mind to have control over your thoughts. It isn't easy! The idea is to not be hard on yourself and embrace the process entirely. Keep it up and you will definitely reach the ability to center your mind on the process and clear your head of thoughts.

     This practice will allow your brain much needed rest that we aren't able to receive even during sleep. Meditation reduces anxiety greatly and can gradually resolve depression. It improves sleep and once you find a flow in your practice you can move on to different forms of meditation that improve different issues. Guided meditation is the easiest way to begin this practice and there are limitless resources online for guided meditation tracks. Please see the links below for our favorite beginner tracks and feel free to contact us at info@wellness.forsale for further resources and advising on starting your mediation practice.

*Each of these tracks have different guided variations of the techniques listed above:*