Meditation is a great way to alleviate stress, and in these difficult times, more and more people are considering it as a way to calm their nerves. As you ponder meditation and how it fits in your life, you’re probably also wondering what the goal of such an exercise is.
To help, here’s what experts say you should be focusing on as a goal during meditation:
Short-term goals of meditation
In the beginning, the goal of meditation is to sit quietly, be aware of your surroundings, and don’t judge the moment. While these might seem like simple goals, they’re actually fairly difficult to achieve.
People lead busy lives and taking ten minutes out of the day to meditate can be hard. The simple act of sitting down is difficult for some, let alone taking the time to be in the moment. As a result, it’s important to start with small goals like sitting still, focusing on the moment, and not letting your mind be consumed by thoughts of dinner, work, or dirty laundry.
Long-term goals of meditation
The long-term goal of meditation is enlightenment, but that can mean different things to different people. In truth, finding enlightenment is a bit vague, so Jon Kabat Zinn, a well-known meditation teacher and founder of the acclaimed Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program says people should set a personal long-term goal.
It’s likely that this goal will change over time and that’s okay. Start with a goal and make changes as necessary.
Goals might include:
- Stress relief
- Improving relationships
- Manage a particular problem
- Cope with a specific situation
- Learn to be more compassionate
- Practice kindness towards yourself and others
As you begin your meditation journey, consider setting both a short-term and long-term goal to make sure you’re getting the most out of your time. Try to dedicate some time to meditate every day in a space that’s calm and soothing.
