Why Should I Meditate?

"Ok, I hear people talk about meditation in meetings. I see that it is one of the 12 steps. But, I never really hear about "how" to meditate" in meetings." Other questions I had were:

Where do I go to learn meditation?
What type of meditation should I try?
What does meditation have to do with staying sober?
How is sitting still for 15 to 20 minutes a day going to change my life?
Can I meditate if I am not sure about my higher power?

This is what was going through my mind when I finally decided to not take the first drink, to stay sober and to actually work the program.
My journey to learn meditation and to have it become one of the cornerstones of my sobriety has led me to feel strongly about "why we should meditate in recovery." Here are a few of the reasons that I have discovered and it is my wish that you may discover these and more as you start your inner journey:

• While I meditate I am practicing and working the first 3 Steps every time.
  1. I realize that my thoughts and emotions are unmanageable and that I can use meditation techniques to detach myself from them.
  2. While meditating I practice connecting to a power greater than myself and begin to sense that I am not alone anymore and no longer need to be afraid - which is the root of my insanity.
  3. Just by taking time to sit, detach from my thoughts and connect to my higher power I am working Step 3 - I have decided to turn my will and life for 20 minutes over to God, as I understand him.
• I do not need to wait until I get to Step 11 in working the Steps before I begin to learn and practice meditation. Meditation helped me to work all of the steps.
• People around me could see the fruits of my meditation before I could:
  • I was more calm, more often
  • I did not hang onto resentments as long
  • I had an new desire to be of service to others
  • I was not ruled by my character defects as much
• An old timer that meditates told me that "meditation was long term sobriety stuff" and I wanted that!

If you aren't already meditating regularly what are you waiting for?

• Attend an 11th Step meditation meeting in your area. Check the 11th Step Meditation Meetings Listings page for one in your area.
  
  
• Read the how some of the various styles suggest for 11th Step meditate Centering Prayer, Buddhist meditation, Hindu meditation
  
  
• Talk to fellow members in the program, find out who the experienced meditators are and ask them for help.
  
  
• Start with a guided meditation CD such as the SpiritStep One Beginning Meditation CD. There are others on the market, also that will walk you through getting started.
   
• Listen to a guided meditation now, online. Track 4 SpiritStep One 1st Guided Meditation
  
  
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• Check your local newspapers for other types of meditation groups that align with your concept of higher power and visit them.

Have fun becoming an inner spiritual explorer through 11th step meditation,

Randy F.