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The Path to Peace

Meditation for Moms

By Tracy L. Doerr

Meditation also can help the creative juices flow. "Before I started practicing meditation, before it became a part of my life, I was very left-brained. I never thought of myself as a creative person," says Crosby. "After meditating for almost a year, I felt myself opening up. Now, after 10 years, I can't imagine life without Zen."

For Ferguson, meditation also brought equilibrium to her life. "I was constantly getting sick. I felt run down both physically and mentally," she says. "When a friend at work convinced me to go on a meditation/yoga retreat with her for a weekend, I didn't expect to learn anything. I honestly thought it was a lot of mumble-jumbo garbage. The experience was mind-blowing. Now, I have never felt better. I'm more relaxed, more focused. It has put a lot of things in perspective."

Getting Started There is no "right" way to meditate. Put any expectations aside. Avoid trying to force something to happen. Don't over-analyze or try to make your mind go completely blank. Find a quiet, comfortable place to meditate. You can sit in a chair, on the bed, on the floor or anywhere that's comfortable for you. Eliminate as much noise and as many distractions as possible. Sit with your spine straight. This allows the spiritual energy to flow freely up the spine, which is an important aspect of meditation. Place your hands in any position that is comfortable. If it does not go against your beliefs, call on a higher power for help. This can be quite helpful, but is not necessary. With practice, meditation can be an accessible way to transform the way you move through the world.