| As you well know, not everyone (very few | | | | done that? Or, have you ever done that? |
| perhaps) can sit still long enough to achieve a | | | | In my book and in my workshops, I use coloring |
| meditative state. The longer you sit the more | | | | as the primary active meditation technique. After |
| difficult it is to push passing thoughts out of your | | | | all, it's easy, inexpensive, fun and allows you to |
| mind and maintain focus. Before you know it you | | | | open up your creative side, something that most |
| are fretting over work, planning a dinner menu, or | | | | adults rarely do. Below are basic step-by-step |
| just giving up. Our action-oriented, multi-tasking, | | | | instructions on how to effectively meditate while |
| Western society simply doesn't mesh with | | | | coloring. If you are ready, grab your supplies and |
| traditional Eastern meditation techniques. This is | | | | find a quiet space to enjoy this peaceful pastime. |
| where active meditation comes to the rescue. | | | | Step One: Start the session with a smile. Don't |
| Active meditation, sometimes called moving | | | | skip this step just because it sounds a little silly. |
| meditation, is easier to learn, but just as powerful | | | | Holding a light smile on your face will help put you |
| as the Eastern techniques you may be more | | | | in a receptive mood for the meditation. In fact, |
| familiar with. When practicing active meditation | | | | studies have proven that smiling, even when you |
| you will chose a simple movement, like coloring, | | | | are not happy, can raise the level of endorphins |
| drawing, or even walking, to give you stronger | | | | (mood enhancing chemicals) in your brain. So, start |
| focus. The repetitive motions act as a constant | | | | smiling! |
| reminder allowing you to easily shift your attention | | | | Step Two: Flip through a coloring book and pick |
| back to the meditation, back to the moment, | | | | the first design that peaks your interest. There |
| before any fleeting thoughts take hold. Negative | | | | are a lot of beautiful adult coloring books available |
| images, past regrets and future worries are | | | | in bookstores and online. Some authors, myself |
| simply pushed aside as you take the time to | | | | included, offer free coloring pages on their |
| enjoy the present. When is the last time you've | | | | websites. |