A guide to unique meditation

How do we rid ourselves of stress? For most of us, this question seems impossible to answer. We have so many things to pay attention to: sports, work, the news, school, social media, and more. Every day we run the risk of giving in to our anxiety and losing ourselves in the mess of it all. But believe it or not, many people have found a tool to conquer their stress and stay focused on the path in front of them— through meditation. 

Originating in South Asia over 3,000 years ago, meditation was initially seen as a way to connect with your inner spirituality. However, as it spread throughout Asia via the Silk Road, different philosophical and religious movements adopted the practice. Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Taoism, and Christianity all have some form of meditation embedded in them today, and although different, the key principles transcend religious barriers. Nearly every form of meditation incorporates stillness, silence, and focus on breathing. Over time, meditation expanded past religion and its definition has expanded as well Some would even consider yoga as a modern form. Yet, despite the large variety of meditative practices, a stigma has formed around meditation especially in the United States. It’s commonly associated with hippies, psychedelic drugs, or strange self-proclaimed mystics. However, there are plenty of meditative activities that have helped some of the least spiritual people on earth. 

While connecting with your spiritual side is one of meditation’s benefits, it’s actually more about finding peace of mind and getting rid of anxiety. Plenty of athletes, entrepreneurs, and actors practice forms of meditation in their daily lives and we can all do the same. But it is extremely daunting to find the time to sit down and meditate for twenty minutes straight. So, instead of diving headfirst into crossing our legs and chanting the om, here are some uncommon forms of meditation that are easy to incorporate in the modern world.

Movement Meditation

While many high schoolers participate in physical activity, very few meditate. But many of the most successful athletes such as Derek Jeter and Michael Jordan would meditate. Having a clear mind before a game or even practice can be the difference between a win or a loss. Instead of listening to music while lifting or going on a run, choose silence instead. While this may seem boring, putting 100% focus into the exercise and sitting with your thoughts will make you more present and tranquil on game day. For those who like to be active but don’t play a sport, try going for silent walks in the mornings before school. This will help prepare your mind for the day ahead, as well as getting some steps in.

Writing Meditation 

Stoic philosophers such as the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius used journaling as their primary meditative activity. Writing in a journal is like having a conversation with yourself. Whether writing about the meaning of life or a funny encounter we had in the day, we gain insight into how our brains work. Keeping a journal helps us free ourselves of our thoughts because, as soon as they’re on a page, they’re no longer in our head and we can reflect with a more balanced and practical perspective. It doesn’t matter how much time you put into it, even writing down two sentences on a piece of paper will help you remain peaceful.

Tea Meditation

Tea meditation has all the aspects of classical sitting meditation—except you get to drink warm tea! This form of meditation is derived from the Chinese tea ritual; however, it has become its own practice over time and is now practiced throughout the world. First, you need to make tea, (it’s important to choose an herbal tea rather than a fruity one), and after the tea is brewed refrain from putting sweetener in it. Sugar puts emphasis on the tea, and while tea is a part of the meditation, it’s not the focal point of it, and the sweet intensity can disrupt the practice. Next, sit down (outside is best if the weather is nice) and cross your legs. With a straight back and closed eyes begin to sip the tea until it’s finished. When holding the teacup don’t use the handle, it’s important to feel the warmth from the cup. 

Practicing Discomfort

While not necessarily being a form of meditation itself, practicing discomfort is commonly combined with meditation, and accomplishes the same outcomes. This can be something as simple as putting a rock in your shoe to something more extreme, like sleeping on the ground without a blanket for a night of fasting. The benefit of practicing discomfort is that it expands your comfort zone. By forcing yourself into doing activities you would normally avoid, you gain a sense of control because when you are finished you can ask yourself, “Was this really that bad?” or, “Was this really what I was afraid of?” It’s important to remember that humans are stronger than we give ourselves credit for, and practicing discomfort reminds us of that. This can be incorporated into any lifestyle, and it’s actually better if you only practice it once a week rather than every day. 

What Should I Be Thinking About?

It’s easy to discuss the physical side of meditation—but what should you focus on internally? In all honesty, it’s up to you. Some days it’s best to reflect on light topics while other times maybe you feel like thinking about something more complex or abstract. It’s just important that you are getting a better understanding of yourself as an individual. It’s easy to get caught up in our phones, work, or school but it doesn’t take a lot of time to try dedicating one day a week to practice one form of meditation for at least 10 minutes. It may feel silly, but it’s helped people achieve success and happiness for over 3,000 years, so what makes you the exception? After all, why don’t you try investing time into getting to know the person you have to spend your entire life with—you.