Meditation can be simple, and there are so many different ways to try it. The most common way to meditate is by finding a quiet space to sit while focusing on your breath and relaxing your mind. Realizing that a quiet space can be difficult to find, here are some other options.
Creative Meditation
Monday Mandala has free Mandala coloring pages that include intricate lines, swirls, and curves of both abstract and nature-based designs. You can also immerse yourself in the creation of flowing digital art using Color Push without printing or using any materials.
Meditative Making
Knit, crochet, or create anything repetitive using your hands while focusing on your breath and feeling the joy that flows from you as you create. Mindful Knitting by Tara Jon Manning contains ten projects complemented by a meditation exercise.
Relaxing Nature Sounds
The Relaxing Sounds of Ocean Waves by Greg Cetus will create a calming atmosphere to encourage your mind to rest.
Walking Meditation on a Local Labyrinth
This type of meditation is perfect for people who don’t like to sit still. You don’t need to think as you walk a labyrinth because there is only one path to the center, and you follow the same path back out to the begining. Unlike a maze, there are no wrong turns, you simply follow the path.
While walking the labyrinth focus on the three R’s – Release-Receive-Reflect. While slowly walking along the path to the center focus on releasing any tension or stress, once in the center pause to receive good energy, and while you are tracing your steps back to the beginning reflect on your experience in the labyrinth.
The Labyrinth at Kearns Spirituality Center was designed and constructed in 2003. The center features a petrified stone which has been etched with a labyrinth design.
The Homestead Labyrinth at the Pump House is situated just across the Monongahela River from the Carrie Blast Furnaces along the Great Allegheny Passage, the Pump House was once part of the U.S. Steel Homestead Steel Works. Created by artist Lorraine Vullo in 2009, the labyrinth features more than 250 triangular stones, labeled with the names of steel mills, foundies, and blast furnaces from our region.
Book Recommendation
The Best Meditations on the Planet – 100 Techniques to Beat Stress, Improve Health, and Create Happiness in Just Minutes a Day by Dr. Martin Heart and Skye Alexander.
The most important thing is finding a way to meditate that feels right for you. Do you have any resources that help you to meditate? Share with us on social media or email us baynelibrary@einetwork.net
Written 3/26/20 by Linda
