Finding Stillness in a World of Distraction
Meditation isn't about stopping the mind from thinking. It’s about finding our way back to centre, again and again
Our world today spins fast. Notifications ping, schedules overflow and our attention is constantly being pulled in a hundred different directions. No wonder so many of us feel scattered, anxious or disconnected.
Yet the teachings of yoga remind us of a profound truth, one expressed by Patanjali in perhaps the most famous sutra of all...
'Yogaś citta vṛtti nirodhaḥ' - yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind.
Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras are a collection of ancient teachings, often described as the philosophical “bible of yoga.”
Compiled around 2,000 years ago, they distil the essence of yoga into short, powerful verses that continue to guide practitioners today. Very early in the text we come across the sutra above, which reminds us that the true purpose of yoga is not to twist ourselves into ever more complicated shapes (no matter how Instagrammable they might be), but to prepare the body and mind so that we can sit, breathe, and rest in meditation.
👉 Read more about the Eight Limbs of Yoga here
Why meditate? The benefits on every level
- Physical: Meditation has been shown to reduce blood pressure, support immune function and release muscular tension. It can help the body shift out of 'fight-or-flight' into the 'rest-and-digest' state where true healing happens.
- Mental: Practicing meditation regularly can improve focus, memory and creativity. It strengthens our ability to choose where we place our attention, instead of being hijacked by every unwanted thought or distraction.
- Emotional: By creating a pause before reaction, meditation helps regulate emotions, easing anxiety, irritability and overwhelm. It builds resilience and compassion, both for ourselves and others.
- Spiritual: Beyond relaxation, meditation opens the door to a deeper sense of connection - with our inner self, with life and with the quiet mysteries of the universe that holds us all.
Simple ways to begin
You don’t need a mountain cave or a special cushion to meditate. Here are a few simple techniques you can try at home:
Breath Awareness - Sit or lie comfortably, close your eyes if you wish and bring your attention to your breathing. Notice the rise and fall of your belly or chest. When the mind wanders (and it will) simply bring it back to the breath.
Body Scan - this can be done lying down or seated...slowly move your awareness through different parts of the body, noticing sensations, where you might be holding tension, emotions that rise up - all without judgement or the need to analyse, resolve or change anything.
Mantra or Word Repetition - silently repeat a word or phrase that feels supportive, such as 'Let Go', 'Peace' or 'So Hum' (which means 'I am') allowing the repetition anchor your attention.
Walking Meditation - walk slowly and mindfully, ideally out in nature, noticing the sensation of your feet touching the ground, the rhythm of your steps, the movement of your body.
The key is curiosity, not perfection. Meditation is less about doing it 'right' and more about showing up for the practice, even when you don't feel like it or think you don't have time - that's generally when you need it the most!
Finding the practice that fits you
Much like Yoga, meditation isn't one-size-fits-all. Some people find ease in stillness, others through movement, sound or absorping themselves in something like colouring in a mandala. What matters is finding an approach that resonates with you... something that feels natural enough to sustain, yet expansive enough to gently challenge.
That’s why our 4 week meditation course - Reclaiming Attention: Meditation For Life has been designed as an intimate, exploratory space for just nine participants. Together we’ll explore embodied movement, breath awareness, contemplation and relaxation as pathways into meditation.
Each week builds on the last, offering practical techniques while encouraging enquiry into your own experience.
Our aim is not to 'empty the mind' but to engage with the rich lens of attention, discovering what opens the door to calm, clarity, and presence for each unique individual.
The course runs over 4 Monday evenings from 6th to 27th October at our Twickenham Studio and is facilitated by senior Yoga teacher and trainer Tuesday McNeill and costs £65.