Meditation — and all my issues with it
If the word “meditation” makes you go meeeeh, this one’s for you
In this story I want to do a little deep dive on meditation. Maybe not for the seasoned pros who sit with gurus and monks. I’m writing this for everyone who hears the word and thinks “meeeeh.” Like me.
How I grew up with it
I grew up in a spiritual household. My parents (who I love and respect to the moon and back) have always meditated. We went to weekends with like-minded people and, among other things, they meditated. And it was silent. We, the children, had to be very quiet while playing outside. Which we did not want to be. Naturally we became bigger little terrors than we already were. Balance, heh.
I have warm memories of those weekends and the people there. We also saw a parade of New Age types drift in and out: some funny, some terribly annoying, some very “holy.” As kids we made a lot of fun of it. (Yep, not very holy…)
Now that I’m older, I have renewed respect for all of them trying to do the right thing. The odd ones, the sensitive ones, the weird ones. It gave me a wider perspective on the world and everything above. It is part of who I am.
Why classic meditation never fit me
The concept of meditation always carried a push-away for me. As if I wasn’t capable, worthy, or holy enough. Tell me to think of nothing and my mind opens three thousand tabs. And I wasn’t sparing fifteen minutes a day to sit still. Too busy living life… doing a lot of pretty meditative things, actually.
It took me time to realise there are a billion ways to meditate. For me it’s contemplation and reflection. Letting the mind wander. Looking inward. Getting fantastic ideas. AHA’s. Thinking about life. And beyond life. The world, the universe, the multiverse. My children. Dinner. Is that a buzzard? Where is its nest? Is it going to rain? You see where this is going… I wander off in minutes. And it’s all fine. Daydreaming on steroids.
My way in: moving, muddy, alive
The best way for me to reach that contemplative state is not a lotus position on a yoga mat, a church, or an ashram. It’s grounded, earthly things. In nature. With animals. Walking my dog. Riding. Shovelling endless wheelbarrows of horse sh*t. Dirty hands, wet boots. Outside. In wind, rain, and sunshine.
I dare say many of the best ideas in the world stem from a woman, a windy field, and a wheelbarrow.
Also while stirring pots when I cook. Driving. Showering. Those moments where your mind wanders and you slip into another state of consciousness. You end up with inspired ideas and insights. (Keep your voice recorder handy.)
Why this works in sessions
These meditative techniques made their way into my client sessions, and they’re da bomb. We zoom out above the noise. We observe. We step off the rational hamster wheel and the everyday programming. Straight to source: your inner compass. We touch something ancient. We remember. We feel. We turn down the whirr of daily life and the rational brain. What really matters shows itself.
It leads to wonderful experiences, clear ideas and visions. Straight to the point where it matters. Ideas and action steps come from a totally aligned place, where you are whole. And ideas from that place lead to immediate action. Without overthinking. Without the limiting beliefs. Without the fluff.
It’s fun to practice. Anyone can master this in their own way and see what works best.
I’ll be with you to keep it bite-sized. I ask the right questions and give you simple tools to turn vision into action steps you can start right away.
Ready?
Are you in? Let’s go and see where it leads you — to see how good and how cool it can get. The real cost is in waiting and second-guessing while your whole body already said YES.
With love,
Annemarijn
People over algorithms. Thought of someone who needs this? Pass it on, and let this land where it belongs ❤️