{"id":1043,"date":"2018-06-29T15:23:02","date_gmt":"2018-06-29T14:23:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thebodymatters.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1043"},"modified":"2025-07-01T12:45:53","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T11:45:53","slug":"the-virtues-of-meditation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebodymatters.co.uk\/blog\/2018\/06\/the-virtues-of-meditation\/","title":{"rendered":"The Virtues of Meditation"},"content":{"rendered":"

My name is Louise<\/a> and I have been practicing\u00a0meditation<\/a> for over 10 years. I had always been interested in meditation but didn\u2019t know where to start.<\/p>\n

I asked my massage therapist who said: “of course you can practice standing up”. I thought I would try it, I thought if I sat down to meditate, I would fall asleep. I didn\u2019t last long doing a standing meditation and thought I would join a meditation group, where I fared better, though I still struggled as the teacher didn\u2019t quite \u2018cut the mustard\u2019 with me, what she said and what she did were two different things.<\/p>\n

In 2007 I came across an enlightened Buddhist Master, who completely changed my world.<\/p>\n

I became an ordained monk in 2008. I was taught many different practices, it was all a bit overwhelming. In 2010, I went to China for 3 months. I completely became engrossed in the whole meditation practice. I loved it. Boy, it was tough at times, but I lived to tell the tale!<\/p>\n

I have been on a 10 day Silent Retreat<\/a> since amongst some of the different types of meditation I have tried. I completely embraced the whole meditation experience. Along the way I have found there are many different methods (I have tried quite a few) and you do not have to be a Buddhist nor religious. Nor do you have to sit in a lotus position, chant OM, or for hours and hours to benefit.<\/p>\n

Then something clicked in me. I realised I was being far too harsh on myself. Far too strict. And of course, part of the meditation journey IS about discipline. After all, it is a PRACTISE. But I went the whole hog. Black or white. That was me. Well not anymore.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve learned that it\u2019s about having a balance. Balance in all aspects of our life.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not about being this way or that way, but creating a balance that works for you, for each and every one of us. It\u2019s not a case of it\u2019s my way or the highway either. We all have to find the way that is right for us. Of course, teachers are here to teach, to help, to explain, to guide and then it is down to us to find OUR own way. Our own path. Our own understanding.<\/p>\n

I now know that it is possible to meditate standing up.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve learned a whole host of things about myself, more than sometimes I care to admit. But now I know these things, I realise I have a choice. Meditation has given me that choice, the ability to see things from a completely different angle, a different perspective from what I once did. I am a completely different person. A lot more chilled. Wow! When I think about who and what I was.<\/p>\n

I used to have eczema, at the time I was embarrassed, I should be healthy, I thought. But I\u2019ve worked through that. That was just one of the visible things.<\/p>\n

I used to stress out about this and that, rush around like I didn\u2019t have a moment to spare. Life should be about finding a balance, to satisfy your mind, body, and soul.<\/p>\n

Trying something different, something new. This can be as simple as sitting in a different chair while watching TV or learning to ride a motorbike.<\/p>\n

The things I have tried!? learned to ride a motorbike, jumped out of a plane, run marathons and lived with a Nepalese family (in Nepal) where I had to wash in the street from the cold tap that was only on for 2 hours a day to name a few of the things I\u2019ve done.<\/p>\n

I worked in IT for 23 years; this seems like a lifetime away. I trained as a Clinical Hypnotherapist in 2003 and as a Sports Massage Therapist<\/a> and Personal Trainer in 2006.<\/p>\n

I’m not sure how it happened, but my role as a therapist is very different, my treatments are completely different from what they used to be. I am now ready to Teach what I know, meditation and mindfulness. The best way to experience it is to try it.<\/p>\n

How many of you have heard of the virtues of meditation? Why not try it?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In 2010, I went to China for 3 months. I completely became engrossed in the whole meditation practice. I loved it. <\/p>\n

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