The idea of meditating while driving may seem crazy, impossible, and even dangerous.
Actually, just the opposite is true.
Practice the following 7 tips and you may be able to transform your driving experience into a time of calm.
Meditating while driving is not about zoning out, or taking your mind some place else.
It is about being completely aware, mindful, and conscious of your driving experience.
Tip #1: Silence your Cell Phone Your cellphone can connect you to friends and associates, which can be very comforting.
And for that very reason, it can also be distracting.
Try this: turn your cell phone to silent notification.
And only answer if you think it might be an emergency.
You might find that giving yourself a break from the stress of shifting your attention from driving to talking has a relaxing effect on you.
Tip #2: Turn Off Your Radio You might have paid big bucks to get that nice audio system, and you really enjoy your music or talk show.
Try turning it off for a few days: you will definitely notice an enormous emptiness or silence.
What do you hear underneath that silence? Tip #3: Forgo Eating and/or Smoking While Driving Try eating or smoking before your trip.
Go ahead and take the time to eat before you get going.
You will be more relaxed and satisfied, plus you have less risk off squirting ketchup on your nice clothes while changing lanes.
Tip #4: Check In with Your Senses Now that you have turned off your cell phone, turned off your radio, and eaten something, now what? Take a little time to experience your senses.
What sounds do you notice? Does your car sound normal, or can you detect something different? When driving, notice now how much information you get from the sound of other vehicles around you.
Check in with your sense of touch: how does the steering wheel feel? Any unusual vibrations? Same with your seat: do you notice anything different? Now pay attention to your nose: any unusual smells from the heating or air conditioning (or your baby in the back seat)? Finally, how is your sense of sight? Is your windshield clean? How about your mirrors? Is everything adjusted properly? What are the gauges telling you? Do you have (or need) your sunglasses, and are they clean? Tip #5: Check In with Your Thoughts and Feelings Are you feeling rushed, or feeling agitated about something else, or worried about something? Are you thinking about a big issue going on? If so, just notice that and accept that for now.
Tip #6: Focus on the Vehicles Around You As you now drive, pay attention to how you are relating to the traffic around you.
Are you going relatively faster or slower? How fast are you going compared to the speed limit? Do you notice that some drivers are being particularly aggressive or erratic? Is there any pedestrian traffic or bicycle traffic that you need to think about? Tip #7: Practice Non-Reaction If you experience someone being particularly aggressive, notice that and understand that they may be in some kind of pain.
Give them room, let them pass you, make room for them.
If you have a natural negative reaction, just notice that and see how quickly you can let that go.
Practicing these 7 tips may feel very uncomfortable at first.
Soon, however, you may realize that you can find peace in just being completely present to the experience of driving.
And maybe these lessons can be extended into other areas of your life and your meditation practice...