Seekers on Unique Paths

I was very fortunate to have a father who meditated. He was taught Transcendental Meditation in the 1960's by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He is 80 this year, and he still does it daily. When I was 9, I was taught TM. In college, during youthful explorations of religious paths, I discovered the Theravadic Buddhist Schools. I never became a Buddhist, however, I did receive much training in Satipatthana meditation including Vipassana, Anapanasati, and Samatha and traditional Japanese Zazen in my 20's and 30's.

I meditate at least twice a day (upon awakening and before retiring), and I have done so now for decades. It is as much a part of my daily life as eating breakfast or brushing my teeth. I never allow for excuses for why I can not meditate. Not when I was in the service (though I often had to shorten my sessions) or when I was on chemo (I often couldn't make it through a long session). I recommend it in some shape, form or fashion to all of my psychotherapy clients whether young or old. It does not have to be religious or spiritual yet it can be if one so desires. I honestly don't know of a single religion or philosophy in history that does not have a contemplative/meditative component as a valid part of its tradition.