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