The Unusual Meditations (You Never Heard Of)
The following meditations will make your life more meaningful.
Hey, I will teach you some meditations where you don’t have to close your eyes and focus on your breath. Yes, you heard me right. There are more things in heaven and earth, my friend. Just keep your attention away from your stupid gadgets.
In this post, I will share some of my unusual meditations. I’m not blabbering. They work every time you practice and open up new ways to look at your mundane day-to-day life.
These unusual yet powerful meditations will enhance your self-awareness, self-control, connecting you with the parade of life you are surrounded by.
You need no coach, mentor, or money. All you need is some time. Yes, some time to focus on things that truly matter. And life will be worth living if you practice any of these meditations religiously.
Without further introduction, let’s get to the point right away.
Counting Stars on a Starry Night
One… two… three… Started counting? Yes, that’s what you need to do. Don’t laugh. You don’t know what you are going to get. It’s not just counting stars. It’s about shaving off your distress one after another, getting connected with the universe.
I do it frequently. I go to the rooftop on a starry night with a mat in hand. Then I lie down on there and stare at the mysterious universe where countess stars are twinkling. I relax my body and feel the breeze. At first, my eyes see a few of those lovely stars. Then, it gets adjusted with the dark and the vastness of the space, and I see the magical stars dancing in front of my very eyes. Oh, I feel connected.
I understand with great astonishment that how insignificant this human existence is in comparison to the ever-expanding universe.
I bet you will love this meditation. Yes, I call it meditation. I don’t care if your meditation expert or guru doesn’t approve of this method. Trust me — you don’t know what you are missing. You don’t have to believe me. Try yourself and see what happens.
I know your surroundings are crowded with tall buildings impeding even the views of your fair share of the sky. I feel sorry for that. But use it to your advantage. Go to the rooftop and lie down on your mat. Now, free your eyes to the vastness of the night sky.
Have you have seen the moon changing its color in the night? Yes, it does. Have you ever witnessed a falling star? The clouds that float around the moon seem surreal. The falling star tells you to make a wish. Oh! I cannot describe the beauty of a starry night in words. I hope no writers can contain that beauty with even the best choice of diction.
In case you are wondering what will happen after this mediation, I am telling you that it will lower your day-to-day distress, pressure, and work-related stress for sure. This me-time will pour your soul with serenity, giving you a realization that we unnecessarily weigh our life down. We take everything too seriously, putting ourselves in the center of our universe. But that’s not the case.
In comparison to the humongous universe, we are nothing. Yes, nothing — not even a grain of sand.
Walking Through a Vast Paddy Field
Whenever I get a chance, I walk through a big paddy field. Have you ever seen the dance of rice paddy while the wind plays with them? I would feel pity for you if you never saw that in your entire life.
When the wind blows gently through the rice paddy field, the paddy creates waves exactly like oceans. That’s an experience of a lifetime. When it happens in front of your very eyes, you get transported to heaven within seconds. No, I am not exaggerating at all. And that’s why walking through a vast paddy field is another unusual meditation you must try.
If you don’t find a rice paddy field, no problem, you may walk through any paddy field you find. It can be a cornfield, wheatfield, even a field full of green grass. It doesn’t matter. What matters is the experience of being in an environment where you can free your eyes and don’t see any buildings in proximity blocking your view.
What will happen then? — you may ask.
It will give you a pleasant experience far better than closing your eyes and focusing on your breath, sitting in your boring apartment. When you walk through a vast paddy field, you encounter numerous things — bees, butterflies, tiny flowers, little birds, bugs, and more. Your soul dances with the wind and feels relaxed and relieved. When you look on the horizon, you are taken by the environment completely.
Though I walk through the vast paddy fields around me at least twice a month, I visit my favorite rice paddy field in Sunamgonj each year for a few days. I have been doing it for the last three years. And I highly recommend you find your favorite paddy field and go there to find your lost self.
Sitting Quietly in Front of a Lake
A lake is a happening place as every lake has its own ecosystem. If you spend an hour sitting in front of it, you will be amazed by the whole experience. Sit quietly with no music, no smartphone, nothing. Stare at the water in front of you and listen to the watery silence.
See, the water is singing as the wind is constantly encouraging it to do so. Keep your eyes wide open because anything can happen anytime in a lake.
Kingfishers are waiting patiently a few meters away from you. Kites are patrolling from up above for a perfect fish to have a nice meal. On the bank of the lake, herons are fighting for the most desired fishing spot. Look at the distance! What do you see? Yes, that’s a snake. Don’t be afraid. It’s a friend and will not do any harm. Well, can you spot the cormorants diving into the water to get their fishes and then again floating with the waves? Aren’t they lovely?
The lake is full of life. And when you sit quietly and enjoy the beauty of it, you do an unusual meditation. The meditation tells you that life is all around you. And you are not a separate being only to earn money and consume more. It convinces you that you are born to find your connection with this natural world.
A few minutes away from my house, there are two adjacent lakes. I spend countless hours watching the water, birds, snakes, trees, and everything. I can assure you this meditation will help you rediscover yourself. It will give you a different perspective and a sense of belonging that you lost many years ago.
Exploring the School of Nature
I have written an article titled The School of Nature in which I said Magic happens when you dare to say goodbye to your comfort zone and hit the road. You come across things that unknown — you hear the music unheard — you discover the beauty hidden from your very city-eyes.
I am telling you again, explore the school of nature. Go into the wilderness and find the joy of living a life. There is no glory working your ass off when you have a functional body and mind. Don’t ever think that after retirement you will travel the world and have fun.
I am begging you. Please, do not fool yourself with this fancy and obscure retirement plan. Life happens right now. So do learn the art of balancing your work and pleasure. Leave your boring cubicle for just once a week, if not possible, then once a month — and explore the nearest forest.
Be an insanely smart person. Spend a day touching trees, listening to the birds, smelling the wildflowers, and experiencing the sound of the wilderness. Share your fatigue with a forest. It will understand in its own way and therefore heal your soul.
I am telling you again. Invest your time wisely. Connect yourself with the natural world. Learn the dynamics of having a balanced life, exploring the school of nature. Otherwise, you will start to hate your life soon. Remember, no man can live peacefully only with money, fame, and a fabricated online image.
Final Thoughts
I hope you have already understood how crucial these four unusual meditations are for your betterment. Practice all of them from time to time. If not possible, practice at least one once a week. You will feel the difference for sure. And you will be able to take control of your life in this age of constant distraction and disturbance.
I hope the stars will shine on your life, the paddy field will fill your heart with happiness, the lake will amaze you with wonders, and eventually, you will find yourself as a sincere student in the school of nature.
I hope you will make your existence meaningful, connecting with the life happening around you.
Have a lovely life!
Thank you for reading.
You may read my following articles on Mind Cafe to know more about life and happiness