Life as we know is simply ebbs and flows. Nothing is too
permanent, nothing absolute. Recently, I felt my life was a sieve, everything
went past me, so swiftly. However, my meditation practice, something which I
started with few months ago, has given me a different perspective to an activity
which I enjoy the most – Wanderlust.
Here are my reasons why travelling to a different country is
similar to mindfulness meditation
Planning the Big Trip
The best flight and hotel deal, chalking
out the must do restaurants and places to visit…don’t you love the thrill of
planning a holiday? As millennials we make it a priority to plan ahead to
ensure the best experience even stealing our office hours! Meditation is
similar – first and foremost you need to find the time to do it, as little as
10 minutes per day. Type of meditation is no bar – suit your tastes and
preferences. Whether it is simple chanting or guided one, the key is priority.
Exploring new culture
The folk stories, the historic facts, the culinary
delights, the pristine beaches, you want to soak it all in isn’t it? Have you
ever explored your own mind with a similar zest? Do you know the stories which
you have been telling yourself for years? Do you know the true reasons of your
anger or your restlessness? Your mind has depths, corners and blind spots, it
also has a way of giving you green positive signals. But often, we find
ourselves racing fast to get the next thing done, that restaurant to dine, that
party dress to alter, those pearls to buy.
Do we allow ourselves to explore our own
mind? Are we kind to ourselves just as we are to a stranger or do we make
constant comparisons?
Guard your belongings
Common sense. Yet, we struggle when it
comes to our mind. We are unsure when it is unhealthy, after all the symptoms are not simple as a Delhi Belly! Shame, Fear may prevent us from reporting a loss of a
precious item while travelling. Similarly, we may feel the same to express
ourselves, to protect ourselves. Mindfulness mediation supports you through
this process just as your best friend on your trip or the good Samaritan who
returns your lost passport.
Enriches you but doesn’t alter your life
Unless you want to quit your life of Maya
and become a yogi, Mindful mediation doesn’t alter your life. It simply
enriches you just like your backpacking experience in Europe or your luxury
hotel stay in Thailand. It only enriches your life, a tiny grain at a time.
Simply reading a book or watching a film about
a culture doesn’t help, the experience is the key. Om Shanti!
A Man travels the world over in search of
what he needs and returns home to find it.
