By, Alexis Miller – O2X Yoga Specialist
There are a series of unfortunate stereotypes that make individuals in the veteran and first responder community weary of trying yoga and meditation. Imagine: skinny girl in leggings and a sports bra, curled into a pretzel while balancing only on her forearms. Or, picture a “guru” with a long beard in sweeping robes, sitting for hours on end in the lotus position.
These are the two primary images of yoga and meditation – unfortunately, perpetuated and monetized through social media – give the impression that there is little room for the breadth of the human experience in these practices. Though meditation has gained traction in a variety of communities in the last decade, including the military and first responder populations, the practice remains riddled with the stigma of “focus a multitude of stigma.”
One of the most prevalent obstacles for many folks starting a meditation practice is the belief that they can’t “turn off their mind.” It’s a common reason why people start and quit meditating, or why they never give it a try in the first place. Let’s explore what it truly means to meditate and why veterans and first responders tend to make excellent meditators.
Debunking “Meditation”
Many people believe that sitting down and “shutting off their mind” is meditation. If you turn off your mind, you’re likely dead. There is no shutting off a thing that was designed to think. Instead, meditation is the practice of being fully present. It’s a cultivation of the ability to pay attention to the present moment without judgment.
The aim of meditation is not to stop thinking; it’s to simply sit quietly and pay attention to what’s present. “What’s present” will vary from person to person, moment to moment; perhaps anger over how someone spoke to you that day; discomfort in your muscles from your morning workout; depression that seems to have come from nowhere, but continues to linger; the rise and fall of the breath; the list never ends.
When we meditate, we strengthen our ability to focus the mind on what we want it to focus on rather than the downward spiral of thoughts that appear when we receive a text from a loved one that says, “We need to talk.” We are the masters of our minds, not the other way around.
Styles of Meditation That Support Veterans & First Responders
There are a variety of meditation styles one can practice. In my experience the style of meditation that has provided the easiest entry to a consistent and supportive practice for veterans and first responders is Guided Meditation.
Guided Meditation sounds as the name suggests: it’s a form of meditation where an instructor leads participants through a meditation, guiding them into noticing what’s present. This form of meditation has a variety of names, but one of the most popular (and the one used in O2X programming) is iRest.
iRest (short for integrative restoration) leads participants through the different “layers” of the self – the body, breath, feelings/emotions, thoughts/beliefs, joy and awareness/consciousness. iRest is a systematic approach to noticing what’s present and learning how to work with those experiences.
Why Do Veterans & First Responders Make Excellent Meditators?
Those who serve in the military and are the first to respond to crises tend to make excellent meditators. But why? Those who have experienced true pain, suffering and horror first-hand know better than most how to recognize true peace, joy and equanimity. It’s as simple as that.
When they’re guided properly, veterans and first responders will be able to more easily access the part of themselves that is untouched by any of their experiences. Cultivating consciousness itself, awareness, a deep peace. That has many names, but it’s the part of ourselves that we (try to) tap into when we sit down to meditate.
Where to Start with One’s Own Meditation Practice
One of the best places to start with a meditation practice is with Guided Meditation. There are several reasons for this:
Safety:
It establishes a sense of safety in the body and the mind, which is crucial for going into deeper states of consciousness. Veterans and first responders often have many difficult experiences to work with; in which they must do so from a place of safety in order to make progress.
Simplicity:
Guided Meditation, particularly iRest, is simple. You can do the same practice a thousand times and still reap the benefits. All that’s required of you is to find a comfortable position (which can be lying down!) and follow the guidance.
Consistency:
The biggest component of a meaningful meditation practice is consistency. If you’re not consistent, you won’t experience the change that comes with the practice. Guided Meditation can support consistency through its simplicity. There’s no questioning if what you’re doing is “right;” if you wander off-track, tune back into the instructor’s voice and start from there. There’s no need to “turn off” the mind; you’re intentionally exploring what it’s like to be you in that moment.
Increases One’s Ability to Just “Be”:
The more you practice Guided Meditation, the more you have the opportunity to just “be.” Nothing to do, nowhere to go, no one to be – just yourself, as you are, in this moment. It’s a powerful experience. The more you’re able to “be” with yourself in the present moment as it arises, the easier it becomes to be with others, just as they are. And this, ultimately, leads to deep and meaningful connection – for which all humans are hardwired.
Conclusion
We’ll never know if we can do something until we try it, right? The same goes for meditation. I caveat this by saying that we have to find the right “style” of meditation and give it an honest shot, before deciding if it supports us in our health and healing.
When we have more people meditating from all walks of life and sharing their experiences developed through their practice, we can as a collective start to de-stigmatize a practice that can support each of us in getting 1x better every day. We all know that if you want something done and done well, you ask a veteran or first responder. Imagine, if every veteran and first responder meditated, regularly touching into the peace inside themselves. What would this world look like then?
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About O2X Instructor Alexis Miller:
Alexis Miller is a writer, podcast host, creator, digital marketer and yoga/meditation instructor. She has a degree in Journalism and Entrepreneurship from the University of St. Thomas. Alexis is a published writer, covering topics that range from health/wellness to business to creative writing. She’s the voice behind Wild Blue Yonder Meditations. Alexis has years of experience creating digital marketing strategies for start-ups, non-profits and established for-profit organizations. She’s a passionate yoga/meditation instructor with over 1,500 hours of teaching – including for o2x. Alexis is an avid world traveler, dedicated reader, outdoor sports enthusiast and an Air Force spouse. She lives with her husband, Sean, and their Australian Shepherds, Josie and Heath.
About O2X Human Performance:
O2X Human Performance provides comprehensive, science-backed programs to hundreds of public safety departments, federal agencies, and the military. O2X works with clients to elevate culture, improve mental and physical wellbeing, support healthy lifestyles, and reduce healthcare costs associated with injuries and illnesses. Driven by results and cutting edge research, O2X programs are designed and delivered by a team of Special Operations veterans, high level athletes, and hundreds of leading experts in their respective fields of human performance.
