Now, More Than Ever, You Really *Should* Meditate...

...but you already knew that, didn't you? Here's why, and here's how.

Listen, sometimes the world can feel really MESSED UP...

Alex E. Proimos / Via en.wikipedia.org

"I really thought we were gonna get it together this time..."

Between this...

Twitter / 6thofjun / Via dailymail.co.uk

How am I supposed to drink this?

And, on a more serious note, this...

togetherforgood.com / Via psst.ph

We've only got the one planet...and yet...

And even this...

Via web1.muirfield-h.schools.nsw.edu.au

*Politicians and politics that we won't talk about right this second.*

It's clear that we're in dire need of a little mindfulness...

Via uhs.umich.edu

Because you don't have to be in control of everything *or* fix everything. Really -- you don't.

...a dash of Compassion...

Via bigthink.com

Because compassion is sorely undervalued and we could all be a little kinder to our fellow humans (and animals).

...and, well...a *whole lot* of inner peace!

Via shesgottheknack.com

Because sometimes (all of the time) we need to create our own calm. No one else will do it for us.

Meditation can solve these and so many other problems!

Via wisemindbody.com

Research also shows that meditation reduces stress, lowers blood pressure, increases clarity of thoughts, reduces anxiety, slows aging, and improves overall quality of life.

But how do you get started with meditation?

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If you've got kids (or if you just wanna nurture your inner child), check out this awesome book.

Or read this beauty...

Via sharonsalzberg.com

Real Happiness by Sharon Salzberg. Or basically any books by Thich Nhat Hanh. Or Pema Chödrön. I could go on and on and on...

Or, try some great FREE guided meditations.

Via gabbybernstein.com

I really like Gabby Bernstein and, well, basically all of Hay House's free meditations, which are available as podcasts.

Not ready to sit still? You could try "walking meditation."

Artem Kutsan / Getty Images / Via ggia.berkeley.edu

Because no -- you don't have to sit perfectly still with your legs crossed and your hands open to meditate. Learn more about Walking Meditation here or here.

Basically, you don't have to be an expert or do it "just perfectly" to enjoy the benefits of meditation.

Via thedailylama.net

So try it! Start with five minutes of meditation and when it feels right, work your way up. You'll start feeling better soon!

Remember...to change the world one must first change themselves.

WORDS BY BRIAN THOMPSON, PHOTO BY JENNIFER PICARD PHOTOGRAPHY. / Via zenthinking.net

Or, as Tolstoy said, "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."

What kind of world do you want to live in? It's up to you to be that change.