Meditation is a different state of consciousness from our habitual one. Habitually we think constantly. Any smallest experience provokes a stream of thoughts connecting us to the past or to the future. One thought is being followed by another keeping us somewhere else, but definately not in the present. I have nothing against thinking. It is a very useful skill, but it can cause stress, anxiety and nervousness when it is left unchecked. This useful habit of thinking has become our nature, it dominates us. But as any habit it can be changed. It just takes some retraining. No I don’t suggest renouncing thinkig. I only suggest expanding our consciousness, becoming aware of other parts of our human nature on equal terms with thinking. How about being aware of feelings without judging them with the mind?
When you pay attention to sensations in your body, to what you feel and where you feel it, you allow your mind to rest, reset and to relax. This shift from thinking to feeling sensations in your body puts you back into the present, anchors you in the reality-where your life actually is. That’s also called mindfulness.