As many of you know, I really love making life an experiment, especially when it comes to living your best life. I have tried out different ways of eating, exercising, and most recently, meditating. Week by week I share what’s going on with me and tips that I think might be useful for you to live a happy life. Rarely do I write a blog that doesn’t mention meditation. Meditation has been a game-changer for me.

Seventy days ago, I ventured on another experiment, and signed up to learn Vedic Meditation with Emily Fletcher at Ziva Meditation. I have had the inkling to go deeper into my meditation practice for a while, and contemplated signing up for a few different courses, but as the Universe so lovingly guides us, I ran into Emily on the street one night with friends, right after I had stated my desire to take a meditation course, and in that moment I knew my decision had been made.

I took Ziva’s 3-day Vedic meditation course back in July, which essentially is meditation with a personally prescribed mantra. You practice this style of meditation twice daily, for 20 minutes.

Now, if you know me, I tend to be a commitment-phobe, so the original thought of meditating twice a day, everyday, for 20 minutes really freaked me out. Who has time for that? Truth is, we all do, if we truly value it. Since completing the course at Ziva, I made it my mission to be dedicated to this practice. I have yet to miss a meditation, and I am super proud of it! Truthfully, I look forward to my meditations now.

I learned so much from Emily and my time at Ziva, and as I learn, I share with you. Since starting this meditation practice 70 days ago, I have noticed these amazing benefits:

1. More patience
2. More self-love
3. More energy (especially after that afternoon meditation!)
4. Greater sense of clarity and purpose
5. Increase of creativity and drive
6. Heightened awareness of my thoughts, actions, and feelings
7. Ability to see things as they are, and to stay in the present moment
8. Less mental chatter/clutter
9. Amazingly restful sleep
10. Less stress
11. Gratitude

In summary, this week’s blog is to encourage you to find your practice, and practice it! Meditation is a valuable tool to have in life! These are just a few of the amazing benefits I’ve noticed since incorporating this style of meditation into my life. Truthfully, there is so much more! As always, I encourage you to find a meditation practice that works for you and that makes you feel connected, every day! If you’re interested in checking out this meditation practice, you can find out more about Emily and Ziva here. Emily is an amazing teacher and I couldn’t be more inspired by her!

I would love to hear your experiences with meditation, and the different styles and techniques you practice on a daily basis! How do you think the world would be different if everyone meditated for a few minutes every day? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below!

Love, Michelle