If you’re troubled by strong feelings and memories, nondirective meditation may help you sort things out. A recent study found that this form of meditation is more effective than regular rest or other kinds of meditation when getting in touch with yourself.
While meditation often involves focusing on a specific object or your breath, nondirective meditation encourages daydreaming. Take a look at the benefits of this practice and learn how to get started.
Benefits of Nondirective Meditation
1. Build self-awareness. Confront what’s going on in the back of your mind. Observing the nature of your thoughts will teach you about your values and aspirations. Knowing how you come across to others will make you more effective at promoting cooperation.
2. Accept yourself. Uncertainty creates anxiety. Facing your darkest feelings shows you that you can handle them, and you can love yourself with all your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Stimulate creativity. As we grow older, career and family demands lessen our time for play. Indulging in fantasies can make you more innovative. Maybe you’ll discover a quicker method for cleaning your oven, and perhaps you’ll start writing poetry or painting landscapes.
4. Understand others. Another advantage of flexible thinking is that it makes it easier to put yourself in another person’s shoes. You can discover essential issues from multiple perspectives. Once you understand why your child is afraid of thunder, you’ll know how to comfort them.
5. Initiate positive changes. Looking back into your past gives you a better picture of what your future could be like. Use your insights to adopt new habits that bring you closer to your goals. Develop your communication skills or engage in regular physical exercise.
How to Practice Nondirective Meditation
1. Be prepared. A healthy mind depends on a healthy body. Nourishing food and quality sleep will help you meditate.
2. Get into position. Sit on a cushion or chair. Choose any place that’s comfortable for you.
3. Let go. Free up your mind. Give yourself permission to express any sentiment and explore any subject.
4. Form a resolution. Finish off your session by giving yourself an assignment. Call your sister or an old friend if you still need to talk about not having a date for your high school prom. Imagine how good you’ll feel when you put your bad memories to rest.
Where to Apply Nondirective Meditation
1. Strengthen your relationships. Some of our most intense emotions come up in our interactions with others. Nondirective meditation may help you adjust your thinking about an old boyfriend or a neighbor you find irritating.
2. Make your work more meaningful. Picture yourself in your dream job. The vision may inspire you to look for a new position or shake up your routine at your current job. Take on a challenging project at work or find a mentor in your field who can help you move beyond your comfort zone.
3. Stick to your diet. Both happiness and sadness can trigger overeating. When you control your feelings, it’s easier to limit yourself to one slice of the pie. You’ll be able to eat when you’re hungry, instead of being led off track by your feelings.
4. Enhance your spirituality. Most importantly, nondirective meditation provides an opportunity to examine your life and potential. You’ll clarify what’s sacred to you. As your faith deepens, you’ll become more resourceful in dealing with hardships and adversity.
Achieve more significant serenity through nondirective meditation. Letting your thoughts follow their course can help uncover your true feelings and make peace with your past.
Need more helpful meditation advice? Listen to this past episode of the Meditation NOT Medince, The Power Of Daily Meditation with Mary-Frances Buckland, where we discuss how meditation is an excellent way to heal, relax and to listen to yourself.
