Written by: Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In the modern world's hustle and bustle, finding time for meditation can seem like a luxury few can afford. Yet, it is the busy bees, juggling multiple roles and deadlines, who stand to gain the most from this ancient practice. The good news is that meditation doesn't require hours of your day; even five minutes can be a gateway to greater peace, clarity, and bliss. Here are four quick meditation practices designed for those on the go, offering a brief sanctuary of tranquility in the midst of chaos.
1. The breathing space meditation
Pause for a moment and focus solely on your breath. Inhale deeply, counting to four, hold for a count of four, and exhale slowly to the count of six. This short practice centers your mind and body, creating a sense of immediate calm.
Let’s practice this for the next minute. Take 60 seconds to engage in a focused breathing exercise. Breathe in deeply for a count of four, hold the breath for another count of four, then release it slowly over six counts. Concentrate on the rise and fall of your chest, the sound of your breath, and the pause between inhalation and exhalation. This technique, rooted in pranayama practices, has been shown to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and bringing about a sense of calm (Jerath et al., 2006).
2. The sensory grounding exercise
Engage all five senses to ground yourself in the present. Note five things you can see, four you can feel, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This exercise brings you back to the now, cutting through the noise of a busy mind.
Now dedicate two minutes to a sensory grounding exercise. Systematically observe your environment: identify five things you can see, four you can touch, three you can hear, two you can smell, and one you can taste. This practice, commonly used in mindfulness therapies, can help pull you away from the stress of thoughts about the past or future, anchoring you in the present moment (Bourne, 2010).
3. The gratitude minute
Spend a minute thinking about something you are grateful for. It could be a person, a positive event, or simply the blue sky above you. Gratitude shifts your focus from what's lacking to what's abundant in your life, fostering contentment and bliss.
Let’s spend another minute reflecting on a recent moment or aspect of your life that you’re thankful for. It could be an achievement, a loved one's smile, or the comfort of your home. Gratitude, as studied by Emmons and McCullough (2003), is strongly associated with greater happiness and can help you gain perspective, appreciate what you have, and cultivate a more positive mindset.
4. The loving-kindness flash
In this quick practice, silently send wishes of happiness, health, and peace to yourself and others. This act of giving generates positive feelings within and promotes an expansive heart, resonating with the vibration of bliss.
In the last minute, let us practice a brief loving-kindness meditation. Silently send thoughts of love and well-being to yourself and then ripple out to loved ones, acquaintances, and even those you may have difficulties with. This practice is based on the Buddhist metta meditation and has been associated with increased positive emotions and decreased negative emotions (Fredrickson et al., 2008).
Expanding these practices provides a richer experience of meditation and a stronger foundation for cultivating bliss in your busy life. Remember, each of these can be modified to fit into any schedule, proving that even the busiest bees can find a moment for mindfulness.
Adopting these brief meditation practices can significantly impact your well-being and lead you to a more centered, blissful existence. They are perfect for anyone who is always on the move but still wishes to cultivate a moment of peace and introspection in their daily lives.
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Dr. Kapil and Rupali Apshankar, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Kapil and Rupali are Amazon's 1 bestselling authors and globally respected business and life strategists. They are founders of Blissvana, a boutique personal development, self-growth, and success studio. Their coaching methods have been proven at the highest levels of success in every dimension of human life. Kapil and Rupali's lives revolve around love, happiness, abundance, and bliss ‒ at home and work. Kapil and Rupali's purpose is to create the highest possible quality of life they can for themselves, and the people they love while helping others around them do the same.
