“To be consistently alert and aware, to be thoughtful, is the beginning of meditation, for without the true foundation of discernment, mere concentration and other so-called forms of meditation become dangerous and are without any significance.”
— J. Krishnamurti
Like every popular trend, meditation has turned into a game of vanity. (“You meditated for 10 minutes? I did it for 20.”)
Meditation is not about how long you close your eyes or about making mental to-do lists while sitting quietly. Meditation is quieting your mind, about rooting yourself in the present moment. If you held your thoughts steady for 40 seconds this week after holding them for 30 seconds last week, that’s progress.
With time, this ability to stay present in the moment will filter into other aspects of your life. When you’re commuting, when you’re at work, when you’re with family or friends, you will be thoughtful, aware, and calm.
The ability to live in the present moment is an underrated superpower. It opens up myriad possibilities for the future. (You can get basic suggestions on how to meditate here.)