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