Meditation helps you `become more intentional'

The more connected we are to new technology, the more difficult it becomes to have quiet moments. We intend to, but we find ourselves picking up a mobile phone for just one more look, and before we know it, minutes — sometimes an hour — has elapsed.

I wonder if that's the reason we're seeing a

heightened interest in mindfulness and meditation.

Sharon Salzberg, New York Times best-selling author and teacher of Buddhist meditation, helped me understand some common misconceptions about meditation.

Meditation doesn't require special skills. If you can breathe, you can meditate. It doesn't need to take a huge chunk of your time every day. The important thing is to establish a regular practice, whether the session is five minutes or 60 minutes.

Meditation does not eliminate sadness or problems, but you'll be more able to roll with the punches and feel less defeated.

Meditation does not mean you'll have only positive thoughts. Meditation is a way to recognize your thoughts, to observe and understand them and to relate to them more skillfully. It means to become more intentional and less reactive.

Salzberg says, “Meditation is the ultimate mobile device; you can use it anywhere, anytime, unobtrusively.”

It's also a useful tool for children. An elementary school teacher says by having her students sit quietly for five minutes at the beginning of the day, she sees a decline in their anxiety levels and they become more attentive, happier and have higher test scores.

If you are desiring more quiet time, online helps are available and Oklahoma City yoga teacher Marnie Kennedy offers an eight-week course on Mindfulness Meditation and integrating mindfulness skills into daily life. Go to www.marniekennedy.com for more information.