Voltaire and Meditation – Can 20 Minutes a Day Better Your Life?

Voltaire once said

“Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in Eternal awareness or Pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity.”

The French historian and philosopher Voltaire proclaimed meditation to be some mystical tool for expanding your consciousness and being one with the universe. Or so it would seem after reading the above quote. However, my own experience with the ancient practice so far to date has been different. Useful, often difficult and hard to do consistently are the three things that instantly spring to mind for me, a semi regular meditator. But I will take Voltaire on his word and am intrigued to one day experience this state of bliss for myself.

I’ve never received meditation training and have rarely done it consistently enough to have an opinion on the long-term benefits. Yet, I have a monkey mind (For those of you who are not familiar with the metaphor, a very active, often irrational inner narrative) and find that the experience I have had with meditation to be a positive one. If nothing else, noticing my thoughts for what they are, just thoughts, from time to time must be a positive for someone with my temperament. A mental check in, allowing myself the ability to breathe and understand that I am often not in control whatever crazy narrative has sprung up into consciousness. Though, I can choose to be a witness to these thoughts and treat them with acceptance opposed to angst. What a pleasant idea, non-judgement. Easier said than done.

Here are 10 reasons why we should all meditate.

So, part of my next years daily practice is going to be at least 20 minutes of meditation. No questions asked. I feel this is very achievable and think to myself if I can’t find 20 minutes for myself a day, I may as well be dead, so I’ll find a way. Probably in the morning before I go to work, seems the most logical and practical time. We will see!

I intend to further integrate my meditation practice into my yoga practice! I will be logging my journey and experience on this site. With regular updates about how I am feeling, thinking and will try to be as completely transparent as possible.

So, stay tuned. Follow me, share this post, whatever makes you happy 😊

I will leave you with a personal favourite quote of Voltaire’s to ponder.

“It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere.”

Voltaire

Until next time.

Mitch ❤

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