Is it possible to feel blissful in just one month? I'm not 100% sure, but what's the harm in finding out?! If you're not familiar with the saying "April showers, bring May flowers", that's okay! But I wanted to share my analogy as to why I think "April meditations bring May bliss"...
I never really thought much of the saying until recently. Maybe it was something in my Ayurvedic study that just made a little click in my brain? I suppose it doesn't really matter because what changed was my mindset and attitude around the April showers. Previously, I couldn't stand the semi predictable April showers! I mean, do we really like anything chilly and damp? I don't... BUT, what comes after?! The May flowers! And WHY? Why do April showers bring May flowers?! Biologically, I know there are many reasons, but rain is certainly one of them. The rain and warmer weather begins to feed the germinating seeds that lie beneath the surface of the ground.
It's not that I didn't know this before, it's that I didn't really recognize and appreciate the need for the April showers in order to have the brightest beauty that are the May flowers.
I believe that meditation works in such a similar way, though the effect may even be MORE immediate than having to wait a whole month! And that's my challenge for you this month of April - MEDITATE. EVERY. DAY.
I don't say this in a daunting or even like challenging sort of way (I know I just "I challenge you to..."). I say this in a curious and hopeful way! What could happen after 30 days of meditation? Or even what could happen DURING 30 days of meditation?
Can you picture it? Can you feel it? What is that bliss feeling to you?
So if you're anything like I was and feel very intimidated by meditation and don't know where to start, then I'm so happy that you're starting here! And I hope that you can find a meditation style that works best for you - that's why I'm creating this 30 Days of Meditation calendar (linked below).
Maybe you're thinking... 30 days of meditation?! I literally can't add one more thing into my life or my schedule! Here's the thing, each day the meditations are only 5 minutes! Coming from someone who also feels like they can't add one more thing into her life, trust me, you have five minutes. And honestly, that's where I find the beauty in short meditations. They really have made a huge impact on my life.
Here's why so many people love meditating:
reduces anxiety
helps to manage stress
calms the central nervous system
creates new self-discoveries
enhances mood & sleep quality
This list could truly go on and on, but I have definitely experienced all of these benefits since I've started meditating.
So what am I supposed to get out of this 30 days of meditating?
Well, what do you want out of these 30 days? My best advice is to keep an open mind and believe that you can. The first time I did an hour long meditation, my first thought was that there was no way in hell I could do that! I was so nervous thinking it was going to be the longest hour of my life, but it flew by and I felt amazing afterwards! If I'm answering the question literally, then I hope you get bliss. I mean, why would I think April meditations will bring you May bliss?! Because meditation has worked for so many people and a consistent meditation practice will bring you a true shift in your life.
You may not even notice this shift at first. I didn't. I could feel that something was different... and in a GOOD way, but I couldn't put my finger on WHY. Then it just hit me one day! I had been meditating every day that week and all of a sudden, my days felt brighter and my mood was blissful!
Let's get this meditation party started!
Enough about me! Let's talk about the next 30 days of meditation for YOU.
I've split the month into 5 different meditations organized as such: each meditation will last 6 days with the first five days being 5 minutes long and the sixth day being a 10 minutes long.
Our 5 different meditations that we will practice this month are (and are described below):
Daily task meditation
Guided meditation of choice
Mantra meditation
Sound bath meditation
Silent meditation
Daily Task Meditation
Choose a task that you usually do daily (washing dishes, making breakfast/ lunch/ dinner, washing your face, etc). For this meditation, while you do your particular task think about every aspect of the task. Allow yourself to become fully immersed.
For example: if you choose the task 'washing your face', take a few deep breaths to bring yourself to the present moment and give yourself permission to be wholly immersed. As you splash water on your face, notice the temperature. As you massage your cleanser or oils into your skin, notice the texture, the smell, the sensations. Go through each step of your normal face washing routine, but notice how it makes you feel.
BONUS TIP: buy some rose water spray to boost your mood during your skin care routine!
Guided Meditation
Find a comfortable seat or lay on your back. Peruse YouTube and find a five minute guided meditation! Apps like Alo Moves and Peloton also have great guided meditations. Stick with one or pick a different each day!
Mantra Meditation
Not familiar with mantras? No worries! I'll offer some that you can choose to work with. First off, a mantra is a word, sound, or phrase that is repeated frequently to help with focus during a meditation. Common mantras are "om" and "so hum". I also like "inhale, exhale". You could also do this meditation with mala beads! Take a few deep breaths and close your eyes. On each exhale or every other exhale, repeat your mantra allowed or to yourself.
Sound Bath Meditation
Check your emails friends! Because I've recorded a 5 minute sound bath just for you! It's best to listen with headphones. Get all comfy and allow yourself to melt into the audio. That's it!
Silent Meditation
To help keep track of time, I like bells to note the end of the meditation. There are YouTube videos that correspond to a 5 minute silent meditation and will literally just ring a bell to bring you out. Keep your focus on your breath. Any thoughts that pop up, just allow yourself to be an observer of those thoughts and then set them aside. If you find yourself lost in a train of thought, come back to your breath.
I really do hope you'll join me on this journey and find May bliss through our April meditations.
~ Namaste yogi fam!
Ready to join in? Sign up for my email list (on the home page) to receive daily reminders and follow me on Instagram to connect with others joining in! Use the hashtag #moremeditationplease for all of your posts!
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