Meditation- What is it?

When I first sat down to meditate- I thought okay here we go-

All I have to do is sit here for X amount of time and
not go crazy then I'll be more calm and enlightened like.
I sat.

I kept myself from going crazy.
Sort of...
I followed the thoughts about dinner, about conversations,
about random things that really made no sense but
since I was "meditating" I thought
all the thoughts that flooded my mind sitting there day in and day out
was just me toughing it out.
Come to find out- that's not meditation.

Meditation is not easy.
Meditation is simply a one pointed focus-
bringing that focus back to it's place over and over
and over...

and over... 

You can meditate on many things- your breath, a candle flicker or
a quality you'd like to increase in your life (joy, compassion, etc).
There's many types of meditation but what you are doing is simply-
bringing your awareness to something-
every time your mind strays-
make no judgment and
come back to that place of awareness.
A constant tending to the mind and of bringing it back with loving kindness.
It's not easy.
Meditation is work.

For some the practice of sitting and bringing your thoughts back
over and over is infuriating.
Honestly- sometimes it's been infuriating to me but
I've noticed with time
(with a cumulative and consistent practice)
my reactivity has lessened,
my mind isn't so overwhelmed with thoughts- especially negative thoughts
and it's really not so infuriating anymore.
And not just when I meditate - but throughout the day I notice these things.

I've begun to look forward to and even need that meditation each day.

Wanna give it a go?!
Find a comfortable seated position
(it's hard to focus if you're not comfortable).

You can meditate lying down but unless you're 

after sleep or seated isn't an option right now then 

begin seated for now.
Try meditating on your breath.
Just bring your awareness to watching your inhale and exhale.
When your mind wanders- bring your focus back to your breath.
Repeat repeat repeat.
or try...
Lighting a candle and meditating on the flame
(this is my favorite)
Just look at the flame- watch it- study it-
when your mind wanders- gently bring your awareness
back to the dancing flame.
Repeat repeat repeat.
Start with 5 minutes a day- then add 5 more...

Meditation is what you put into it.
There's no quick fix.
There are many different meditation techniques but
all you are doing in any meditation
is really
bringing your focus to a one pointed place.

In our asana practice-
we link the breath and movement giving it a meditative quality.
Start there if you like- encourage the meditative quality in your practice
by really focusing on linking your breath and movement
then try sitting and meditating.

Any questions- lemme know!
Rock Your Practice!
Xo- Suz