What is Meditation?

People talk about meditation as if it’s some secret art. Inner peace, clarity, focus, but what does that actually mean? What does it feel like in your body? And how do you practice it in a way that makes sense in daily life?

At its core, meditation isn’t about emptying your mind. It’s about training your attention. Stress, distraction, and self-criticism scatter your focus; meditation brings it back. The practice starts with something very simple: feeling.

When you pause to notice what’s happening in your body — your breathing, the tension in your shoulders, the restless tapping of your foot — you’re already meditating. That awareness interrupts the automatic cycle of reaction. Relaxing the body creates space for the mind to clear. From there, decisions feel easier and emotions less overwhelming.

This first step, the feeling state, is where most people stumble. Many of us are so used to ignoring emotions or numbing tension that we can’t sense what’s happening inside. That’s why the first lesson is the most important: Feel Thyself.

Here’s a quick way to start:

Sit still for one minute.

Scan from head to toe. Notice one physical sensation, maybe your jaw, your chest, or your stomach.

Name it. Tight, heavy, light, buzzing: any word will do.

Breathe once, slowly. That’s it.

It doesn’t take long, but the more often you practice noticing, the easier meditation becomes. Just like learning to ride a bike, it feels awkward at first — but with repetition, your body and mind learn how to return to calm more quickly.

Meditation is not an unreachable state or a luxury. It’s a practical skill, one that turns awareness into a tool you can use anytime, anywhere. And it begins with the step most people skip: learning how to feel.