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