Whatโs the connection between The Muppets and mindfulness? Stick with meโthis isn’t the setup for a joke.. (Could be a great one though.)
Remember Waldorf and Statler, the critics in the balcony? Theyโre a metaphor for our own minds: often negative, judging ourselves and others.
Evolutionarily, that makes perfect sense. Your brain – basically a radar scanning for danger – evolved in dangerous times.
Tigers could jump out of every bush. ๐
In modern times this constant scanning causes anxiety and unhappiness.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ป๐ผ๐-๐๐ผ-๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐?
You canโt completely silence those inner critics.
Theyโre hard-wired into your brain. (And small, short doses of self-criticism can be healthy.)
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐?
Meditation offers an escape.
It allows you to step out of the balcony and watch those grumpy guys go on and on from a distance.
Realizing you donโt have to listen to or reply to everything they say is such a relief. Most of it isn’t true anyway.
Two years ago I started a daily meditation practice. It gave me more peace of mind, positivity and focus. It reduced many of my worries.
Curious about meditation, and unsure where to begin? Try this:
โธ Set an alarm or โณfor 5/10 mins.
โธ Sit comfortably, eyes closed.
โธ Focus on your breath.
โธ Thoughts will interruptโ you canโt stop them. Imagine Waldorf and Statler doing their usual thing.
โธ Label these thoughts as thoughts, without engaging with them. Like watching clouds drift by.
โธ Keep going back to your breath.
Thatโs it.
Regular practice increases the amount of grey matter in your brain, increasing cognitive function. ๐ง (Or in less fancy terms: makes you smarter.)
It also boosts mood, focus and productivity and lowers stress and anxiety. It really works.
Does this mean thinking is bad? Absolutely not. But use it as a tool, when you need it.
Ready to stop being puppeteered by your thoughts? Give meditation a go. ๐๐ป
Call 0800-MEDITATION for support. Or schedule a call with me.
