730 Days of Meditation: How It Helped
Updated: Apr 19, 2019
The mind is limitless. Through mediation, all things have been able to present themselves, and through this journey, I have captured hope.
Practicing meditation is one of the habits that has drastically improved my life. Meditation has helped me embrace sadness, frustration, happiness, depression, kindness, patience, change, grief, motivation, and joy. It has helped me to resolve conflict, reflect more often, capture gratitude, discover my soul, and reach beyond what I once thought was possible.
Often we can get caught up by so many things, living in a world of constant distraction. While what we feel physically and emotionally matters, it's our mind that often gets ignored; constantly straining itself. It's a wonder why we don't stop more often to take care of it.
For me, practicing mindfulness over the past two-plus years has influenced the way that I think, the way I speak, the way I work, and the way I view the world around me. This awareness has allowed me to be more present more often, taught me how to let go, and helped me to discover greater peace and contentment.
JUST 10 MINUTES A DAY
Over the past two-plus years I have meditated over 141 hours, completed 923 sessions, and averaged 10 minutes over the course of 730+ consecutive days. That doesn't include the deep breathing exercises I do during my daily morning routine nor what I practice before stepping on stage. What I discovered is that meditation and deep breathing exercises can be integrated into many parts of your day. Over the past two years I have found time to meditate...
During my morning shower.
When feeling overwhelmed.
When I need to unplug.
Before a speech or big presentation.
With hundreds of students at a time.
Small group settings or with my tribe.
On a walk.
On the plane.
Driving...while in the passenger seat.
Before a big convo.
Outside.
In a peaceful room.
In a crowded room.
While staring at artwork.
While listening to music.
And many times before bed
YOU CAN MEDITATE WHEREVER YOU WANT
Well within reason. You probably wouldn't want to meditate while flying a plane, driving a car, or operating any moving vehicle for that matter but you can in some of the most unexpected places by using focused-attention and open monitoring meditation. You don't have to be sitting cross-legged, or humming ohms, or anything like that. When I take a moment to pay attention to my breath, typically using a guided meditation, I can unwind, restore, focus, and get refreshed. For some, meditation helps to reduce stress, increase concentration, self-awareness, happiness, acceptance, motivation, creativity, and create balance. Mediation has even been proven to slow aging, reduce chronic pain and improve your cardiovascular and immune health — all by taking a few minutes a day to practice awareness and compassion.
CONNECT TO THE WORLD AROUND YOU
Mindfulness and mediation can definitely help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings but it goes beyond that. I think it's pretty cool to see how meditation helps me personally, but it's incredible to see how this small practice can make such a huge impact on the people around you. For example, mediation can help in:
DEEPENING CONNECTIONS
SPREADING KINDNESS
DECREASING STRESS
STRENGTHENING RELATIONSHIPS
CREATING EMPATHY
This daily ritual, for me, has evolved into a spiritual journey alongside my daily prayer. It's taught me to take a deep breathe more often than not; guiding me through some of the darkest moments and capturing some of the greatest joys.
HERE'S THE TRUTH
While meditation can be difficult practice at first, the discipline is well worth the challenge. It's not always going to be easy and some days you won't feel like taking 5-10 minutes out of your day to train your brain. I promise though, if you make the effort it can change your life.
Much like life, that's what mindfulness is all about — showing up even when we don't want to. No matter what thoughts or feelings arise, there we are, living in the moment; one breath at a time. It's that simple.
Honestly though, there isn't a way to fully explain the vast depths of meditation or the power of mindfulness.
The best thing to do is to go out and experience it.
easy to use apps and guides to breathing, meditation, and mindfulness.
Here are some of the top apps, guides, and resources I have used over the course of the past 2+ years:
HEADSPACE - Meditation for Modern Life. Sign Up and Start Your Personalized Journey Today. Hundreds of Sessions. Use Anywhere, Anytime. Dozens of Unique Themes. Build Healthy Habits. Over 15 Million Users. Start Meditating Today. Suits Your Mood/Lifestyle. Learn the Basics for Free.
WAKING UP - Join Sam Harris—neuroscientist, philosopher, and best-selling author—on a meditation course for beginners and experienced meditators alike. Waking Up is for anyone who understands that meditation should transform one’s view of the world.
PRIMED MIND - Let’s go on a mindset journey together! By taking the first steps to prime your mind, you will gain access to the same visualization techniques that are used by the world’s most notable phenoms.
TIME MINDFULNESS: The New Science of Health and Happiness - Scientists are proving what Tibetan monks knew all along: there are real benefits to the pursuit of mindfulness. The practice of meditation, which includes living in the moment and being in touch with your emotions, can change your body and brain, keeping them fit, flexible and resilient as you age.
Mindful Marauders: The RISE of mental health in hip-hop - Kendrick Lamar, JayZ , Kayne, Kid Cudi, Big Sean, Vic Mensa, Earl Sweatshirt, J. Cole, Russel Simmons, Drake, and Rick Rubin all open up about practicing meditation; an attribute to their success.
I am excited to share more from other great programs and teachings. Subscribe to learn more with me*