Can Meditation Be Sexy?

From Madonna to Christy Turlington, from Sting to Richard Gere, meditation is what’s happening. We use the term “sexy” because meditation is now the IN thing, with more and more people, both young and old, chilling out by doing it. At the same time, cross-legged yogis and monks can be seen in television and magazine ads selling everything from cars to herbal teas.

You do not have to be a hippie or on a spiritual quest to meditate. We have taught housewives, athletes, musicians, and therapists, in yoga centers and town halls, high school gymnasiums, on ski slopes, and on television. We were invited to teach meditation in Thailand to corporate CEO’s, as more businesses are incorporating stress-release and meditation techniques.

But if meditation is so available and as well-known as it appears to be, why is it not already an integral part of everyone’s lives? If health reports are saying how good it is as a way to cope with stress, heart conditions, and psychological issues, why do we ignore it or find excuses not to do it? Why do we think of something as a waste of time when all the research tells us it is of such immense value?

Perhaps it is because meditation just doesn’t seem that sexy! The mind seeks constant entertainment and much prefers being distracted than facing the endless dramas racing around inside it. The idea of sitting still and watching our breath can appear boring, meaningless, even a time-waster, and not at all fun, challenging, or creative.

Yet meditation is all of this and much more. It is about discovering our authenticity and the magic of being alive. It is sexy because it feels great and there is nothing more joyful.

Meditation is simply about being fully present in this moment, no matter what we are doing. If you are washing the dishes, then let any thoughts and distractions dissolve into the soap bubbles; if you are ironing, then become one with the rhythm of the movement; when you are eating, be aware of every bite, the tastes and textures. In this way, everything can be an awakening experience.

Try the Appreciation Meditation on the next page to connect with the beauty in both yourself and the world around you.

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Read more: Blogs, Ed and Deb, Exercises, Health, Spirit, innerlife, Inspiration, meditation, yoga

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Fiona T.

12:57AM PST on Mar 4, 2012

Just to sit and breath, knowing that you are safe, you are alive, as you take in each breath realising that you are becoming in tune with the universe. Simply being thankful for all you have, the riches of life itself, your family, your friends, the world around us. Aren't we truly blessed.?

send a green star

Cheyenne S.

2:38PM PST on Jan 23, 2012

i think you don't even have to fully meditat just take a menit to breath and you will feel better

Emily C.

5:40PM PST on Jan 14, 2012

anything that put a person in alignment or harmony with their own bodies is sexy

Rivka W.

8:41AM PST on Jan 12, 2012

I love meditation! Whenever I have time for it, I will just sit and reconnect with the world around me. I always feel greatly recharged and ready to tackle anything in a loving manner :)

Past Member .

7:50AM PST on Jan 10, 2012

Quite thought-provoking!

Ed And Deb S.

9:30AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

Vasu M - Your examples using the Vedas - is like Christian fundamentalists - extremists.
Before you die you will not have to know what Veda to quote. Goodness is in the heart! There are many vegetarians who are scoundrels. I know as a fact if you want to know the truth you will never find it in a book or outside yourself ever!!!! Only look within!

Throw away all these sutras & vedas! they mean nothing unless it is what you have discovered to be your truth. Then keep it to yourself & let others find their own truth!
- trust yourself scriptures are for people who don't trust themselves!

“You must not use your God-given body for killing God’s creatures, whether they are human, animal or whatever.”

--Yajur Veda 12.32

“One should be considered dear, even by the animal kingdom.”

--Atharva Veda 17.1.4

“Those noble souls who practice meditation and other yogic ways, who are ever careful about all beings, who protect all animals, are the ones who are actually serious about spiritual practices.”

--Atharva Veda 19.48.5

9:18AM PST on Jan 9, 2012

Namaste Vasu M-
Thank you for your comment - it is very kind & caring & makes a lot of sense- you appear to be a person who cares about others & life!
There is no doubt about the virtues of being a vegetarian.
You are so right & all your quotes are too1
but not everyone can follow your view -
His Holiness the Dalai Lama said he tried to be a vegetarian but became too spaced out-
There are many health reasons why one cannot be a vegetarian.
They are good people - they are compassionate-

We cannot tell others what to do-
We can only live by example-
Be concerned about yourself -
As Swami Sivananda said:
BE GOOD DO GOOD!
If you lead a good life people will ask you what you are doing - you look peaceful etc.
But when you tell others what they should do without them asking you for understanding-
It is arrogance!
Tibetan yogis (Great saints) ate yak - ate meat - that was all they had to eat-
they did not have vegetables!
Most Buddhists are not vegetarians-
Many of the Christian & Jewish Holy Ones ate meat-
Don't be rigid for your own good-
You will be happier & others will appreciate you more!
Live your life by example!
If you want Self-Realisation- If you want to be free!
get out of your mind & come into your heart!
Love is the way-
Stop thinking - be loving!
Swami Brahmananda (Ed Shapiro)

Vasu M.

11:50PM PST on Jan 8, 2012

Ed & Deb, Cruelty isn't sexy. Animal activists are asking even the S & M crowd to leave out the leather. Abortion and war are the collective karma for killing animals:

“You must not use your God-given body for killing God’s creatures, whether they are human, animal or whatever.”

--Yajur Veda 12.32

“One should be considered dear, even by the animal kingdom.”

--Atharva Veda 17.1.4

“Those noble souls who practice meditation and other yogic ways, who are ever careful about all beings, who protect all animals, are the ones who are actually serious about spiritual practices.”

--Atharva Veda 19.48.5

“By not killing any living being, one becomes eligible for salvation.”

--Manusmriti 6.60

“He who desires to augment his own flesh by eating the flesh of other creatures lives in misery in whatever species he may take his birth.”

--Mahabharata, Anu. 115.47

“Ahimsa (nonviolence) is the highest duty.”

--Padma Purana 1.31.27

tiffany t.

7:22PM PST on Jan 8, 2012

esp. with the hottie in the pic ; )

Kirsten B.

10:49PM PST on Jan 6, 2012

The article was good food for thought and the comments about it were in many ways enlightening about people's mixed thoughts and beliefs surrounding meditation and lifestyle issues. It was a highlight read for me.

This year I decided to start living more 'zen' - i.e. the concept you put forward of really being there when doing something. I cooked my first 'zen' meal the other day and, although superficially I did nothing different, it tasted totally different. My husband asked me to repeat that particular recipe again, whatever adaption I'd made to it. ;)

With the right outlook and intention behind you, even cleaning the toilet can become a meditative experience (I read something similar to that somewhere last year).

Have a peaceful and harmonious weekend everyone.