In a city with a lifestyle as fast-paced and full of distractions as Tijuana is, sometimes we feel it is a real challenge to find calm and serenity in our schedules.
In the midst of all the constant noise, meditation can become our only source of tranquility and inner peace. Not surprisingly, those who practice this activity discover moments of stillness and deep connection with meditation, as it is an ancient practice that allows us to explore our mind and discover more about ourselves.
Next, we will explore what meditation is and how it can benefit us in our daily lives from reducing stress and anxiety to improving our emotional well-being and how it all relates to PASAC. The upcoming Sustainable Agroforestry Park in the city of Tijuana.
First, it is important to note that although meditation is a practice with great value and importance in the world, in Mexico it is still unknown to many people, it is mistakenly believed that it is a practice reserved for a privileged few in the country or that it is difficult to access. However, it is important to note that this is not so, meditation is free, it does not require great effort, only perseverance and practice, that means that it is available to everyone, regardless of age, gender or beliefs.
Let’s define what is meditation? Well, meditation is a practice that invites us to stop, to find a moment of calm and silence in the midst of our busy lives. It is an act of being present and aware of yourself in a moment. It is an occasion to calm down and let go of what is troubling you.
After all, you spend 12 hours a day, thinking about your worries, problems, the future, debts, traffic… Believe me, a few minutes where you escape from all that, your brain will find a real relief.
When we meditate, we seek to create an inner space of stillness, freeing us from those worries and distractions that we carry with us. You don’t need much to do it, we just sit in a comfortable position, close our eyes and concentrate on our breathing. We observe how the air enters and leaves our body, focusing on the physical sensations this produces.
As we focus on the breath, our mind begins to calm. Although thoughts or distractions may arise, we do not judge them or become attached to them. We observe them with neutrality and let them pass, returning our attention to the breath again and again.
Even with this small description, it is important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to meditate, each person can find their own approach and style that works best for them, it is just a matter of including this activity in your daily routine, to find which way you feel more comfortable and then progressively increase the times until you find the ideal way for us.
There are many researches around this practice, which have shown that meditating is effective to improve our mental health, to mention some of them, first:
- Mitigates the effects of stress.
- Positively affects the immune system.
- Improves attention span and concentration.
- Improves memory and cognitive functions.
- Enhances the emergence of positive thoughts.
Now do you know more about the importance? Well, that is why in PASAC we seek to integrate a place of peace that facilitates this activity, integrating a meditation center dedicated to Mother Teresa of Calcutta, where activities and resources will be offered to provide an ideal space for this practice, including activities of guided meditation sessions, classes and workshops, retreats and meditation days, a viewpoint at the top of the facilities to appreciate the city in tranquility and of course spaces 100% dedicated to this practice where we will even have some of the relics belonging to Mother Teresa among others. With this and combining the four pillars in PASAC: Exercise, cultivation, culture and finally meditation, we seek that the Sanchez Taboada neighborhood can have a social rehabilitation of the environment, improving the health and welfare of the community while strengthening the values.