First of all it is important to clarify that meditation is a practice that is open to everyone and does not necessarily require high spiritual awareness – as it can be practised in a non-intensive way, simply for the purpose of connecting to oneself.
To practice meditation in good conditions, the posture is important: neither too relaxed nor too rigid. This is why it is advisable to sit in a relaxed and alert position by straightening the spine so as not to block the diaphragm and to give amplitude to our breathing. Once you have found your position, the intention is to connect attentively to the present moment and to everything that is there, without interpretation or judgement. You can bring your attention back to body sensations, for example, or to your breathing. Meditating does not mean stopping thinking, but allows us to take a step back from our thoughts and the interpretations we make of them, because our consciousness is much larger.
To get started with meditation, there are dedicated apps like Petit BamBou. You can also try the four guided meditations designed by Petit BamBou for My Sherpa in the Activities section.
Finally, meditation is not the only recommended practice for taking care of yourself and your mental health. The mind-body relationship can be dynamically developed through many forms of bodily expression. And to gain perspective on one’s thoughts, it is advisable to write or practice exercises based on acceptance and commitment therapies, such as those offered by My Sherpa.
For even more practical advice, listen to the cross interview with Dr. Fanny Jacq, psychiatrist, and Claire Mizzi, psychologist and psychotherapist, meditation expert and voice of Petit BamBou, in the second episode of our podcast dedicated to meditation.