The Benefits of Meditating for Oklahoma's Women

written and photography by Cindy Lockstone

In today’s culture, mental health has become increasingly an important issue, especially as we seek to survive the stress and loneliness caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that there are more than twelve million women in the United States who experience clinical depression every year, especially women ages 25 to 45 years old. American women tend to ignore their own mental health and put their families and careers before their own well-being. 

Women can have a tough time focusing on their mental health. Meditation is one way to deal with another year of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Meditation is an old practice that combines breathing skills, concentration techniques and conscious concentration to attain a state of calm. 
Cultures 
worldwide have used meditation practices for centuries, including Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, and other faith groups. Additionally, medical professionals use meditation as a psychotherapeutic technique. 

An American pioneer of meditation and an industry leader, Sharon Salzberg will tell you that meditation made her happy, more loving, and more peaceful, “but not every moment of the day.”

Salzberg said, “I still have good times and bad, joy and sorrow, but now I can accept setbacks more easily, with less sense of disappointment and personal failure. Meditation has taught me how to cope with the profound truth that everything changes all the time.”

Women in Oklahoma have choices to learn and practice meditative techniques. Women can learn to meditate at home, take a local meditation course, watch meditation podcasts or YouTube videos, or download a self-guided meditation app.

The Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa provides monthly meditation courses at the museum designed for all levels of participants. AtEASE meditation instructor, Nicole Pearl, teaches the courses using the soothing harmonies of crystal bowls, Koshi chimes and a symphonic gong. Class times are available on the museum’s website, https://philbrook.org/calendar.

Daily meditation practice has been known to reduce stress and anxiety and enhance memory and mental clarity. 

Meditation techniques can increase a person’s willpower and attention span. In addition,  meditation allows for better sleep, reduces pain, helps with depression, and increases positive feelings. 
Salzberg says that over time meditation helps you better understand yourself, and helps you find your best self.

“If you’re reading these words, perhaps it’s because something has kicked open the door for you, and you’re ready to embrace change. It isn’t enough to appreciate change from afar, or only in the abstract, or as something that can happen to other people but not to you. We need to create change for ourselves, in a workable way, as part of our everyday lives.”

“People turn to meditation because they want to make good decisions, break bad habits & bounce back better from disappointments.”
-Sharon Salzberg, The Power of Meditation: A 28-Day Program for Real Happiness

Simple Steps to Meditate for Beginners:
 
1. Take a seat in a place that feels calm and quiet to you.

2. Set a time limit if you’re just beginning at three, five, or ten minutes.

3. Notice your body, make sure you’re in a position you can stay in for a while.

4. Feel your breath, follow the sensation of your breath as it goes in and as  it goes out.

5. Notice when your mind has wandered and simply return your attention to your breaths.

6. Be kind to your wandering mind, don’t judge yourself or obsess over the content of the thoughts you find yourself lost in. Just come back.

7. Close with kindness when you’re ready. If your eyes are closed, open them. Take a moment to notice any sounds around you. Notice how your body feels right now. Notice your thoughts and emotions.

8. You’re  done;  you have   practiced meditation. You focus your attention, your mind wanders, you bring it back, and you try to do it as kindly as possible and as often a day as you need.