Published by Kerry Meath-Sinkin
After a full summer, my body is letting me know its time to slow down. In Minnesota we are waking up to crisp Fall mornings and starting to see the first leaves begin to fall. From an Ayurvedic perspective, Fall indicates that it is a time to shift our daily rhythms. While summer is about going outward and enjoying a full and active schedule, Fall is a time to start doing less, and resting more. One great way to start slowing down is to spend a few minutes bathing in silence (aka meditation). I know for me this becomes especially important during times of transition, such as the transition back to school and into Fall.
About a decade ago, I saw Elizabeth Gilbert speak about meditation. What struck me was how inviting she made meditation. Instead of referring to it as meditation, she referred to it as taking a bath in silence. I loved this idea, because it breaks down meditation into something very simple and accessible to everyone.
The word meditation carries a lot of cultural and social baggage. On the other hand, bathing in silence helps convey what meditation is pointing at without all the heaviness of “I am meditating.”
I was introduced to meditation over 15 years ago, and since that time my practice has changed a great deal. But I always come back to what my Ayurvedic teacher Dr. Lad taught me, which is to sit in silence and focus on the breath for a few minutes. As a householder, mom, and financial planner life is full and trying to force more time for meditation practice into my life seems like too much. I tell myself that I have no excuse to not make time for 10 minutes. I know that science has proven that 10 minutes a day is the minimum amount of time it takes to make a difference in the brain. And yet…. that sometimes feels heavy and or constrictive.
On the other hand, sometimes I remember the phrase bathing in silence. I can picture a large bathtub, in a darkened room, with candles scattered about, and just feeling nourished as I rest in the bath? I remember that this bathing is nourishing and rejuvenating for me, and maybe even an indulgence. It flips the script for me and I feel a little excited to take those 10 minutes as opposed to feeling like it is another thing on my to-do list.
Don’t you think it would be nice to carve out a little time to bathe in silence?
If you are looking for a few more resources here are a few of my favorite resources.
Love and blessings,
Kerry
Kerry Meath-Sinkin is a registered investment advisor and financial planner based in Minneapolis. She graduated with honors from Brown, and works with clients not only in the Twin Cities, but nationwide. Kerry believes in a holistic approach to finance. She works with her clients to develop a practical plan with their finances, while also working on their inner relationship with money. Together, these aspects allow clients to feel healthy, abundant, and free. Kerry also has a passion for healthy living, is a certified Ayurvedic practitioner, and public health educator. Click here to learn more about Kerry.
Photo by Annie Theby on Unsplash
