HOW TO BECOME A MEDITATION PERSON

IF YOU CAN’T SIT STILL OR YOUR MIND IS RACING, HERE’S HOW TO OVERCOME MINDFULNESS BLOCKS

The world is divided into two types of people: those who meditate and those who don’t (but probably wish they could). Jacqui Lewis, author of The 14 Day Mind Cleanse, has been helping people all around the world learn how to meditate. “It’s like learning anything new – excellent instruction, guidance and ongoing support will make the world of difference,” she says.

When it comes to mastering meditation techniques, Jacqui emphasises the importance of finding a good teacher who can guide you. “The current apps can be a great dabbling tool, but they don’t usually help people with a steady practice, which is where the results lie!” she adds.

The good news is, it’s never too late to start meditating. “Absolutely not! I have taught people in their 80s! The benefits come at all ages,” Jacqui says.

Here, she addresses the most common reasons why people give up – and how to create a practice that actually sticks.

MY MIND WANDERS AND I CAN’T CONCENTRATE…

Jacqui says the idea that you have to “quieten your mind and stop thoughts” is one of the biggest misconceptions people have about meditation. “This is why I love and teach mantra-based practices. They’re elegant, simple to do once taught correctly and the perfect fit for the modern mind, as there’s no deliberate trying to stop thoughts, it happens spontaneously and naturally, but it’s also not the end goal,” she explains.

According to Jacqui, mantra-based meditations are “the perfect match for a busy mind and life”. They involve meditating for 10 to 20 minutes while repeating a mantra, which Jacqui says actually “helps create stability in the mind”.

I DON’T HAVE THE TIME…

If you’re feeling pressed for time, Jacqui insists you can meditate anywhere – even while you’re on the go.

“The train, your car, sitting in the lounge room, at work, park benches – our students are meditating everywhere!” she says. While it may seem like a commitment, Jacqui adds the benefits of regular meditation makes it well worth your time. “It’s an investment in our time that continues to accumulate with benefits,” she says.

I’M NOT CONVINCED IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE…

If you’re still feeling sceptical about how regular meditation will help you, Jacqui assures us there are “so many” scientifically-founded health benefits.

Listing some of the benefits, she says: “Better, deeper sleep, and an increase in the brain’s grey matter (where we make decisions). Meditation has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, as well as the risk of heart disease and depression.”