The Many Faces of Meditation: Finding Your Own Sacred Pause
What is mediation?
When most people think of meditation, they often imagine sitting cross-legged on a round cushion, eyes closed, perhaps softly chanting “Om.” And while that is indeed a wonderful and powerful way to meditate, it’s not the only way. Meditation is, at its core, about pausing—a sacred pause. It’s about stepping off the spinning carousel of a busy, chaotic mind and quieting the ruminating thoughts, the endless mental ping-pong, to create space for peace and clarity.
Many people hear that meditation is about clearing the mind, and while that is a beautiful goal, it takes practice and patience to achieve. Sometimes, meditation is simply the act of pausing stressful thinking long enough to find a breath of peace. For example, I enjoy walking in the woods, not with the goal of clearing my mind, but by pausing the stressful thoughts. As my body moves rhythmically—crossing right arm with left leg and vice versa—it creates a gentle balance between the right and left brain, releasing serotonin and dopamine. This allows me to dive into deep thinking in a non-stressful way. I call it “rabbit trail meditation,” because even when I’m contemplating a stressful situation or a difficult decision, this practice helps me move beyond worry into clarity and connection with my heart.
Meditation can also be found in the simple act of bathing or showering, where water’s healing energy creates a calming, meditative space. Chanting, dance, and breathwork offer other beautiful paths to meditation—each inviting us to connect deeply with the body and mind. Breathwork, for instance, is an active meditation that helps us drop into the physical self, bringing clarity and calm.
Is Meditation only for the “highly spiritual”?
Meditation is truly for everyone. Some people need guided meditations, others find peace through visualizations, and some prefer simply zoning out into sensory experiences. Meditation exists in that magical space between sleep and wakefulness, where our brainwaves slow down, opening us to profound insights and spiritual connection.
This practice nurtures mind, body, and spirit alike. Whether your meditation lasts five minutes or stretches into a silent retreat lasting days, what matters most is finding your own way. There is no single right or wrong method. I hope more people understand this, so they don’t get stuck or stalled, believing they must meditate only one particular way.
Meditation is a necessary and beautiful part of connecting to the mind, body, and spirit. It is a gentle invitation to pause the worrisome thoughts and step into a peaceful space where clarity can arise.
For a more thorough discussion on meditation, please watch my latest youtube video.
Here’s to your peaceful journey inward.
With calm and clarity,
Jamie Roth
Intuitive Encounters
