Is it Possible to Meditate in a Moment?
by Martin Boroson
T
he following is excerpted from One- anxiety, alleviate depression, lower blood the future—at the end of the day, on the
Moment Meditation: Stillness for pressure, strengthen the immune system, weekend, after the kids grow up, when
People on the Go (Winter Road, May and promote optimism and resilience. we retire. Or we imagine being peaceful
2009) by Martin Boroson Today, more and more people somewhere else—in church, in a park,
Many people do see mediation as an believe that the benefits of meditation on that deserted beach. But each time
endurance test: the longer they can sit still, should be available to us when we need we do this, we fail to meet the moment
being peaceful, the more spiritual they are. them, and that the practice of meditation that is here. We let ourselves off the
Many people also believe that meditation should be do-able everywhere—whether hook. This is an especially self-defeating
must be practiced in a serene and beauti- we’re stuck in traffic, starting a busi- form of procrastination, for the moment
ful retreat—far removed from everyday ness, or changing a diaper. Many people in which we most need to be peaceful
life. They have these beliefs, no doubt, today also want to bring meditation, or is the very moment in which it is not so
because so much of our spiritual heritage meditative principles, into their relation- easy to be peaceful.
has been handed down by monks, nuns, ships, their parenting, and their work, Also, whenever we think that
hermits, and prophets—people who re- and see a need for more meditative ap- peacefulness takes a lot of time, or
nounced ordinary life to spend years and proaches in politics, business decisions, will come only in the future, we are
years in silent contemplation. and public conversations. Surely the focusing on becoming peaceful rather
But times are changing, and our more quickly we can be peaceful, and than being peaceful. We are keeping
understanding of meditation is, too. the fewer props we need, the better. So ourselves in a state of “wanting,” and
Scientific research is confirming that let me tell you why I believe that it is not this state of wanting is, by definition,
the benefits of meditation are not just only possible to meditate in a moment, not a state of being or “having.” So if
esoteric or “spiritual,” but quite practical, but essential that we do. you believe that you must meditate for
too. Laboratory experiments and psycho- We all fantasize, from time to time, a long time in order to become peace-
logical studies have shown that medita- about being peaceful in some other time ful, you are creating more stress for
tion can improve our mood, decrease or place. We imagine being peaceful in yourself. It’s like throwing a ball out in
46 Broward County
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