Why I Meditate: The Illogical Logic to Something Quite Logical, When You Think About It

As my teacher, Roger Gabriel from the Chopra Institute, puts it: meditation is a journey from external activity to inner silence—and back and forth and back again. This “back and forth” is completely natural, as we’re human beings with human minds (not to mention if we went directly from activity to full-stop silence, well, we’d be dead). Meditation isn’t a static activity. It’s a dynamic practice that brings us face-to-face with our truest selves—a practice of simply being.

And yet, it can be enormously frustrating (and oftentimes intimidating) to truly see ourselves. Many of us are so goal-oriented, eager to achieve that elusive “inner calm” immediately. Yet when we sit down to meditate, we often end up fidgeting, our minds drifting to thoughts like what to make for dinner, rather than the silence we think we should be experiencing.

You know what - I’ve been meditating for over 20 years. It’s the first thing I do every day—and I still have those moments! Sometimes I’ll finish a meditation and think, “Shoot! I should have meditated better!” which inevitably makes me giggle, because that thought makes me realize… I’m such a silly goose. Meditation isn’t a blood sport. It’s a practice of coming to yourself, of allowing yourself to be exactly who you are, and of embracing the journey to inner peace.

Now, isn’t that a lovely way to start the day?

As a writer, I thrive on routine. The creative arts have no set agenda, and they often take us on unexpected journeys, even when we start out with a specific plan. My morning meditation grounds me before I step into that unpredictable creative flow. It’s my way of bringing a little logic to the beautiful illogic of creativity. Even on mornings when I’d rather stay in bed, I make the choice to meditate—giving myself the discipline of me-time, respecting my sacred morning space with thirty minutes of silence.

And that’s why I meditate. I’m not here to prescribe the practice for anyone; as the title says, this is why I meditate. But I’d love to know: What do you do each morning to set yourself up for a successful, balanced day? How do you find your own moments of calm?

Click HERE to see my blog on meditation for writers.