Why is meditation so necessary in this age of information saturation?
Because it’s a break. A break from absorbing. A vacation from the state of mental-overload.
You temporarily halt the assault of data input through your senses.
Metaphor #1:
Think of it like when the star of a basketball team gets a much-needed 2 minute break on the bench. All they need is a little time to catch their breath, then they jump back into the game, giving it their all until the sound of the final buzzer. Without a short break, fatigue would accumulate and his/her performance would suffer. Your mind is the star player, and meditation is the much-needed short break.
Most of us are constantly absorbing, leaving us with no “break”, let alone an opportunity to create something.
Metaphor #2:
Our minds are like a mop. A mop absorbs liquid and cleans a floor. Our minds absorb information and we act on that information. Mops periodically have to be squeegeed before they become over-saturated and lose functionality (turning the floor into a big, dirty puddle). Our minds have to be cleared before they become over-saturated and lose functionality (ie paralysis by analysis, information overload, anxiety, over-thinking…etc). We need to clear our minds regularly in order to maintain optimal functionality.
Meditation is cleaning the mind clutter.
Meditation is a break from the constant external bombardment of the information age.
And this break I’m talking about allows for 4 things:
1. Inner peace, joy, harmony, love- You know the feeling when it strikes. You just know.
2. Inspiration– It clears all of the noise (input) and allows inspiration to come through. This is when you can get great ideas. People come up with their best ideas when they’re relaxed and at ease. Meditation is the epitome of that state.
3. Self-resetting- Meditation is a reset for your entire being. Mind, body, and spirit. It’s a reset button that leaves you feeling refreshed and anew.
4. Increased focus- When you clear your mind, you allow it to function at its full capacity. The mind doesn’t function well when it’s constantly cluttered, preoccupied, and tired. It’s so much easier to focus on the task at hand when you regularly practice meditation.
I came across the following lil gem while writing this:
“…and if we don’t actively reset ourselves, then we miss out on the joy that is life, and we overlook the astounding beauty that lies in each moment. Life is a gift and a treasure, and the best revenge truly is living well.” -Dylan Charles
Here’s a quick guide on the basics of meditation. And remember, meditation can come in various forms. Whenever you’re in a state of no-thought, just simply being, that’s meditation.
Break and create!
Once you “free your mind” you’ll get all kinds of inspiration out of nowhere. So much that you’ll feel an insatiable urge to create. And what you create will be completely up to you.
Relax your mind. Be a creator.
Stay feelin’ good, feelin’ great.
-Stevie P
