How to be happy: 'Meditation'

Use a lotus flower for the top image.

Rising straight up from the mud,
its calm blooming appearance
is the flower language of 'composure'.

'Composure' gives us hints on how to
center our minds even in a busy daily life.
As one form of this, I recommend 'meditation'.

'Meditation seems difficult'
For those who feel that way,
there is something I want to tell you.

Meditation is not a time to do something special.
Rather, it is a time to add nothing.

Stop trying so hard,
and just let yourself be for a little while.
That is all it is.

Today, as one way to become happy,
I would like to introduce simple 'meditation'.

In meditation, 'you don't have to do it perfectly'

When people think of meditation,
they might think they have to empty their mind,
or get rid of distracting thoughts.
But in reality, it is the opposite.

It is okay if thoughts come up,

and it is okay if you cannot concentrate.

It is easier than you think,
and most people
are already on the verge of meditation.
All that is left is to notice it.

However, it is important to notice properly.
To notice properly,
doing it while exercising or talking is out of the question.

The timing for meditation I recommend is in the bath.

First, try doing it in the bath

Suddenly sitting in a quiet room to meditate
raises the hurdle in terms of mood.

Therefore, the bath is recommended.

Just by soaking in the tub,

your body relaxes,
unnecessary information stops coming in,
and your breathing naturally becomes deeper.

Since a 'state of being easily centered' is already created,
all you have to do is focus a little.

A simple way to do bath meditation

What you do is very simple.

Close your eyes,
and focus on your breathing.

Inhaling, exhaling.
Just feel that flow.

Even if thoughts come up along the way,
it is okay to just notice, 'Oh, I'm thinking right now'.

You don't have to try to erase them.

'Letting go meditation' before sleep

And another thing I recommend is
the time before going to sleep.

Connect the mind and body that were loosened in the bath
directly to quiet sleep.

Once you get into bed,

close your eyes and feel your breathing.
Make your exhales a little longer.

That is enough.

What you want to be conscious of at this time
is 'letting go' rather than centering.

The things that happened today,
and the things you are worried about,

just set them aside, saying 'that's it for today'.

Even on days you can't sleep, that's fine

There are days when you can't sleep right away.

But even then, it is okay.

Your body is relaxed, and your mind is a little calmer.
That alone has meaning.

The more you tense up thinking 'I have to sleep',
the further sleep will be.

That is why you should try letting go of sleep too.
Then, it may come naturally.

Little by little, daily life becomes lighter

Meditation does not change anything dramatically.

It's just that,

irritation becomes a little shorter,
the time spent overthinking decreases,
and the moments where you can think 'well, that's fine' increase.

Such small changes accumulate.

Finally

Meditation is not for special people.

In the bath.
In bed.

Just create a few minutes of time to return to yourself.

With just that, your mind will gradually center itself.

May the end of your day gently unravel 🍀

Books that influenced the writing of this article

I have also compiled other "ways to be happy" in the links below. Please take as many as you need🍀

Thank you for reading until the end. I hope to see you again in another article. 🍀May you be happy🍀