How I meditate

by Dan Schultzer

Meditation is something I have been experimenting with for the last 6-7 years. I have found two ways of meditation that works well for me, and both of these involves movement of my body.

I believe movement of the body is the most important way for humans to think. There is brilliant people like Stephen Hawking, who aren't able to move their body, and they do amazing things in the world. The mind will always find a replacement for what it looses, so what I am going to say apply even if you can't move your body in a physical way. The movement, one way or another, is essential.

Our body was never meant to sit for many hours in the same place, but meant to keep on moving, one way or another. However sedentary lifestyle has become a natural part of daily life as in cases like myself; I do pretty much all work from a computer!

I read long time ago about this idea that how you move your body affects how your mentality is. This would be something along the lines of:

  • If you constantly look down at the ground, while walking, you will be more closed to other people, more afraid. If you keep your head high, looking people in the eyes you will be more open to other people, and daring.
  • If you walk with rapid steps, you will be more tunnel visioned, than if you walk more slow.
  • If you bend your back forward, and push your sholders forward, you feel more depressed, than if you keep your back straight, and your arms to the sides.

This recent TED video by professor Amy Cuddy explains how the body language affects your thinking:

This certainly does ring a bell to me. Movement (and body language) changes the way you think, and it is why I believe movement is of such importance! My meditation methods involve movement for that very reason.

My two methods are:

1. Clearing the mind for noise

To clear my mind, there is only one thing that works; very intense exercise. It is cleansing my mind like nothing else, making me thinking sharper, faster, and more creatively. The exercise should be so intense, that your mind can't wander off. Your mind is forced to be in the now, accepting reality. After an one-hour session of this, I feel like new.

2. Solving issues

To solve issues I just take a really long walk. I usually don't solve them right there and then, but the solution comes to me hours after walking, as the blood is moving around, and my neurons are trying to figure the right connections. I usually walk for an hour, pondering about the issues I have. It liberates my mind.

And talk with people!

The above are my preferred methods of clearing my mind if alone! However, you should never underestimate the power of speaking your mind to other people. Other people will usually not be able to help in any way, but the mere act of articulating your thoughts understandably to others, will make you realize what you need to do.

What helps you? Tweet me if you have any great methods to clearing your mind!