I’m four months into my meditation journey. Now, let me start off by saying I hate the word “journey” in just about any context, including the band, who I was never really a fan of. But I can’t think of any other way to phrase this properly.
A dear friend introduced me to Transcendental Meditation in August and I shrugged it off. I accepted her invitation to learn about the practice at a brunch mostly because her house is gorgeous and a celebrity I have a big crush on was going to be there. That said, what I heard was compelling. TM, as this practice of meditation is known, is proven to reduce stress, boost creativity, improve interpersonal relations, make you feel more rested, yada yada yada. The science is there. In underserved communities, TM has reduced crime, raised test scores and increased graduation rates. It is particularly beneficial to struggling kids and veterans.
I suffer from a more diffuse form of stress: raising three kids on the Upper East Side while balancing a career. These are high class problems, but that doesn’t mean I can’t stand to benefit from TM. So I decided to try it. You sit quietly and chant a mantra in your head for twenty minutes twice a day. At first I felt nothing. The biggest benefit was just not looking at my phone. But gradually, I felt the positive effects take hold. I’m no longer daunted by big tasks and I’m able to focus for longer stretches on my writing. What I love the most is that there is no medication or therapist involved. It’s free, both monetarily and chemically. I urge anyone interested to try it! Let me know your thoughts below.
xo,
Elyssa
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