Meditation is the practice with the worst marketing campaign to date. When picturing meditation, you may think of a monk in an orange cloak utop a mountain staring into the distance, but this type of mystical almost nonsensical reputation is extremely inaccurate and serves as a barrier between the general population and those who wish to improve not only their body but their mind.

What actually is meditation?

The dictionary definition of meditation is “​To engage in mental exercise (such as concentration on one’s breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness.” There are many types of meditation, but a practical term that I personally have learned when practicing mindfulness meditation to be is to focus on one’s self in the present moment and feel what the person feels. 

Need help with meditation?

There are many apps designed to navigate within this world of mental exercises, such as ‘10 percent happier’ headed by Dan Harris. Harris found solace in meditation after having a panic attack on national television. His work on the app is only rivaled by his books such as ‘Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics which I would recommend to anyone who has the goal to become consistent in meditation. 

Get Started:

However, meditation doesn’t need any of these apps, books, or products to take effect in your mind. The only thing that meditation requires is dedication. In order to begin, you only need to take 5-10 minutes per day to begin and practice any form of meditation. In a world that is full of overstimulating distractions on the internet and in everyday life, it is seemingly impossible to be present, meditation can help you become present as well as help you improve in many other areas of your life.