Don’t Just Stand There, Meditate

I can’t tell you how many books and articles I have read about meditation.  For years, I thought people had to sit on the floor with their legs crossed, close their eyes, and get into a dreamy state in order to meditate.  What I have recently discovered is that with mindful meditation, we can be standing. 

Since the goal is to be awake, alert, withhold judgment, and conscious of what we are doing, I try to meditate while I am standing in lines, particularly when I am waiting in airports and sitting on planes.  When I do this, I feel as if this is a good use of time because I am using it for my benefit. 

Again, the key is to focus on your breathing.  When you realize you are breathing, you know you are awake.  As the tag line from Caribou Coffee reminds us:  Life is short.  Stay awake for it.