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Meditation is a bit of a buzz word these days, isn’t it? As someone who has been practising meditation for the last three years, I can vouch for the fact that it can be absolutely life changing. If you’re wondering whether meditation can help you deal with the crazy of the modern world we live in, then read on my friend.

I have used meditation as my go-to for times of stress, doubt, fear and anxiety. I have also used it in good times too! I’ve mentioned before how I try to meditate every day – even if that’s only three minutes a day. And recently I have been thrilled to finally get Mr C involved too. Goodness knows what I would do without it. It has stopped my brain almost exploding time and time again!

I really do believe that meditation has a huge part to play in solving our national mental health crisis. And because of that, I wanted to share just how amazing meditation can be, and how meditation can help you. To help me do that, I have Will Williams – founder of Beeja Meditation and author of The Effortless Mind: Meditation for a Modern World – to talk more about those two things!

For everyone reading this, how can meditation help them?

Meditation helps to balance out your brain, and your body, and immunise it from destabilising effects of modern living. It helps you to sleep better, feel more energised, focus on what you need to do, and feel like you’ve got enough in the tank to have a more fulfilling personal life.

Would you say that meditation can change someone’s life? If so, how?

Most assuredly yes. The reason is because most of us are far more stressed than we realise, and once you step out of that, you begin to realise how much more possibility there is in life when you feel good on a consistent basis.

For those struggling with anxiety, depression, stress or insomnia – how can meditation help them?

All of these situations have a similar source – an overactive response from the brain’s alarm system, otherwise known as the amygdala. Meditation helps us calm down our nervous system so the amygdala stops reaction to all sorts of stimuli that would otherwise bounce off of us, and in doing so, we get to live a happier, freer life, where we feel able to more easily thrive in life, rather than simply trying to survive.

Which meditation technique is the best?

Any technique that can help you systematically transcend is worth a mention. I really rate the techniques being used by gnostics, sufis and those within tantra (not the ones Sting uses!), but for ease, and accessibility, nothing beats the Beeja technique!

What should people know before they start meditating?

The less you try, the more you will succeed. Trying hard is the biggest single factor in people struggling, and it really doesn’t need to be that way. That’s why working with a teacher always helps you fast track your progress.

Could you offer some simple meditation tips for beginners?

Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and take five deep breaths – in through the nose, and out through the mouth. Then let the breath return to a natural, normal rhythm, and gently start repeating the sound Beeja within your mind for five minutes. Be soft, and effortless about the whole thing, and then when your done, keep your eyes close for a minute and then go about your day.

If there was only one thing you could say to my readers about meditating it would be

Do whatever it takes to try and make it work. If you can find a practise that resonates, your life will be improved for the rest of your days. If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying – your future self will be forever grateful.

The Effortless Mind: Meditation for a Modern World is available at Amazon.

Have you tried meditation to help you deal with the stresses of the modern world? Do share in a comment below.