Just like everything in life, to gain the benefits of meditation it will take practice and discipline. While it might be easy to neglect a time of focus and meditation each day, science tells us that a routine of meditation has real benefits. How would your life change if you were able to leave all the intrusive thoughts behind? Thoughts like: "You offended her with that comment. The kids didn’t make it to school safely. What if people knew the “real’ you?"
Meditation does not have to be the clearing of your mind and we don't practice it this way. Meditation is the practice of choosing which thoughts to focus your attention on. When you can train your brain to avoid the thoughts that bring extra stress, anxiety, and worry, you are reaping the benefits of meditation.
There are some wonderful places in the 417 area to cultivate your meditation routine. We recommend the following process to achieve a successful meditation routine.
Choose a focus.
Your focus could be a personal value, a religious verse that you want to emulate. It could be lyrics to a song that you really enjoy. It could be something as simple as breathing or noticing the sounds around you. The foundation of focused meditation is choosing a specific topic when you begin. When your mind wanders from this topic, you gently bring it back to the topic at hand. You may want to write the topic on a piece of paper and sit it in front of you.
Choose your environment.
While you can find a quiet place in your home to meditate, sometimes spaces outside your home foster more attention and awareness . There are some amazing spaces for meditation around the 417 area. We wanted to list the top five that we enjoy for you.
1. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield
The site of one of the early battles of the American Civil War is located just to the Southwest of Springfield proper. This beautiful park has numerous trails to hike, ride horses, and jog along. The park staff are helpful, knowledgeable, and always happy to answer questions. While the history of this land holds many tragedies, the beautiful preservation of it today, makes it a great location to sit quietly and reflect.
2. Lake Springfield
Located almost directly South of Springfield sits the lovely Lake Springfield. This park accommodates kayak rentals, as well as a great area to walk, take in nature, and reflect on the things in your life that matter to you. Lake Springfield is a wonderful place to visit, and everyone should be sure to take a look at the dam on the South side of the lake that is the headwater of the James River.
3. Nathaniel Greene Park
Nathaniel Greene Park, also known as the Botanical Gardens, is a great place to seek out solitude and natural beauty. The Park, founded in 1975, and has been a staple of the Springfield area ever since. Housing a great butterfly garden in the spring and summer months, and a lovely array of native plants year-round, it is a wonderful place to seek relaxation, reflection, and meditation.
4. The Springfield Nature Center
Lying just between Lake Springfield and Highway 60 is the Springfield Nature Center. The center boasts 80 acres of Ozark wilderness and has a three mile walking trail fit for all ages. The Nature Center also has an indoor bird watching area that would be perfect in all weather to sit, watch, and reflect in.
5.Sequiota Park
One of Springfield’s many parks, Sequiota has something special. Whether it is the close proximity to all things Springfield, or the beautiful scenery, Sequiota park is a great place to sit and focus on what really matters in life. The best part of Sequiota, according to many visitors, is the fact that you have to drive by Andy’s Frozen Custard on the way in, and the way out.
We live in a wonderful place to meditate. Get out there and challenge your brain in the Ozarks. If you need assistance learning how to slow your thoughts and ease your anxiety, come visit us: 417mindandbody.com
How Meditation Works:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Arnaud-Delorme/publication/337100383_The_neuroscience_of_meditation_classification_phenomenology_correlates_and_mechanisms/links/5ef2258492851c3d231eb73a/The-neuroscience-of-meditation-classification-phenomenology-correlates-and-mechanisms.pdf
Meditation in Crises:
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/076BCD69B41BC5A0A1F47E9E78C17F2A/S0790966720000385a.pdf/div-class-title-the-benefits-of-meditation-and-mindfulness-practices-during-times-of-crisis-such-as-covid-19-div.pdf
Benefits of Daily Meditation:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alexandra-Mchale-Matthews/publication/327229074_Brief_daily_meditation_enhances_attention_memory_mood_and_emotional_regulation_in_non-experienced_meditators/links/5bc0bc49a6fdcc2c91f73ff4/Brief-daily-meditation-enhances-attention-memory-mood-and-emotional-regulation-in-non-experienced-meditators.pdf
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