Using the stuff of daily life as a part of meditation

If we continue to let ourselves be victimized by an experience, then we’re at fault.

Only by telling ourselves that we’re choosing to relax empowers instead of victimizes, cushions our stress and cultivates a peaceful spirit.

But what if meditation wasn’t a thing, but a place inside of us? What if we could use anything as a vehicle for our relaxation?

Perhaps our society could finally release itself from the collective grip of anxiety.

There’s a fascinating study from a psychology journal that maps air travel stress. The analysis indicates three components in people’s overall experience of anxiety while in airports or flying.

Anxious reactions to adverse air travel events, angry reactions to other passengers, and the lack of trust that the airlines or airports will ensure one’s comfort and safety.

Read several of the survey questions below, and think about how your answer might have evolved over the past few years.

Does your body feel tense if your flight is delayed?
Do you feel shaky if the airport is crowded?
Do you worry other passengers may do something harmful on the plane?
Do you feel panicky when you are running late for a flight?
Do you fear your baggage will be lost, stolen or damaged?
Do you get angry when other passengers take up part of your personal space on the plane?
Do you feel like screaming at people who bring lots of carry on baggage?
Do you feel resentful if you have to sit near loud or talkative passengers?
Does it bother you if other passengers try to board the plane before their row was called?

An older version of myself would have responded yes to every one of these questions. Particularly during my workaholic years when traveling was equated with making money.

But reading this survey today, not a single one of the scenarios causes me anxiety. In fact, none of those issues even cross my mind during the travel experience.

They’re neither here nor there. Because for me, traveling is just another meditative facilitator. It’s opportunity to do all of my favorite activities, like reading, writing, listening to music, exploring new terrain, taking pictures and connecting with people.

These things create the opposite of anxiety in my body. Traveling is a vehicle, no pun intended, for calm, centered contentment. It’s a series of moves guaranteed to provide me with the experience of fulfillment.

Each experience reminds me that the opportunity for meditation is always present.

We just need the eyes to see it.

LET ME ASK YA THIS…
How might you reframe an otherwise stressful experience?