Before the pandemic hit, I was already in a state of uncertainty about my life. I had just moved to a new city for a new job. While the change was exciting, I couldn’t shake the feeling of loneliness that came with being in an unfamiliar place. On top of that, I felt lost when it came to my direction in life—I didn’t know where I wanted to be or what I truly wanted to do.
The Pandemic: A Doorway to Spirituality
Then, the pandemic struck, and everything changed. With the world in lockdown and the daily routine disrupted, I found myself searching for deeper meaning. It was during this time that spirituality became a significant part of my life. I moved back home to be around my family, thanks to the ability to work remotely. After work, since we were not allowed to see anyone, I immersed myself in personal development.
Diving into Personal Development
I became fascinated with the world of personal development, spending hours reading books, articles, and attending online workshops. One of the fundamental experiences was completing a six-week online course on personal development. That course opened my eyes to new ways of thinking and being, but more than anything, one practice stood out above the rest: meditation.
Meditation: My Daily Anchor
Out of all the techniques and tools I learned, meditation resonated with me the most. It was something I could do completely on my own, and it provided me with the stability I needed during such a chaotic time. Even though I was often overwhelmed by the emotions and thoughts that surfaced during meditation, I knew it was the key to getting through both my personal challenges and the larger world crisis. Meditation was free, accessible, and always there for me whenever I needed it. All I had to do was close my eyes and turn inward.
Building a Habit of Meditation
I quickly made meditation a daily habit. Every morning, before doing anything else, I would meditate. This practice became my anchor, helping me stay grounded and focused despite the uncertainty around me.
How I Started My Meditation Practice
In the beginning, I started with guided meditations. Every morning, I would repeat the same meditation, finding comfort in the familiarity and structure it provided. Initially, I would lie down because my body was the biggest distraction—restlessness made it difficult to focus. Over time, after a few months of practice, I transitioned to sitting up in a comfortable position, using pillows under my knees while meditating in bed. I wanted to make the routine as easy and enjoyable as possible so I could stick with it. Eventually, I began exploring different guided meditations to see what resonated with me. As I grew more confident, I shifted away from the guided format and started meditating in stillness, using my own mantra. However, at the start, guided meditations were invaluable in helping me establish and maintain my routine.