I sat in Dunkin Donuts on campus with my butter pecan iced coffee, my colored pencils and coloring book like a big girl. I sat there and colored for nearly an hour before an Indian med student approached me excitedly. “I had to come over and see what you were coloring. I love to study here because it’s not quiet like the library. Socializing is a great distraction if I need one. Seeing you coloring is totally refreshing to me.” I asked her if she had the time to join me to color. She looked at me with a sort of disbelief, said nothing, sat down to grab a magenta colored pencil and started coloring in the lines perfectly on the opposite side of my loopy-design. “Where are you from?” I asked. “Calcutta, India, originally. My family moved to New York when I was very little. Do you know New York? I love it there. I love it here too, much more slow pace, great school environment.”

I was able to appreciate her insight until her mentor and study buddy came along. I thought this woman was her mom. “What are you doing?” she said throwing up her arms with a confused face. “Why did you interrupt her? She was meditating! You know better!” I was almost embarrassed. I was really hoping this woman didn’t think she was bothering me. “She came here to mind her business, get back to your studies!” She delightfully thanked me for the abrupt company, got up, and returned to her notebooks.

My idea of meditation used to be sitting in a cross-legged position humming “Om,” with your hands folded in front of your midline and your eyes closed. Of course, this is a way to meditate, but it doesn’t have to be the only way to practice. My close minded perception of meditation came to an end my freshman year at WVU when I enrolled in a yoga class after withdrawing from Accounting (sometimes we know what’s best for us more than we had thought). At the end of each stretching session, my teacher kindly suggested that we stay 15 minutes late to lay on our backs in the dark to focus on our breathing, and to “rehabilitate” our bodies. Every person in the class stayed. As her voice guided us through each breath, I had an overwhelming feeling of appreciation for the silencing of my thoughts, the relaxing of my muscles, and the unavoidable essence of tranquility in the room.

I’ve always embraced moments of defeat with a deep breath and a quiet mind; this was different. This was a moment of empowerment, self-nourishing silence. Just keep breathing. It’s the only thing that will always remind you that it’s not over until it's over.

I’ve taken wellness classes both abroad and here in Morgantown, WV. The classes and workshops I’ve attended provided a plethora of information on meditation; spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, culturally, and universally. Amongst many similarities, my collective definition is as follows: “When you practice meditation, you are aware, you are conscious, you are focused on bettering yourself in the present to assist your future actions, you are one with your breath, you are at peace with yourself; the mere effort of meditation increases one’s capabilities of persisting in this practice. The self control one exhibits as you allow your thoughts to subside subtly motivates you to persist toward your vision of harmony within oneself. Meditation is a reward for your mind and body — the whole self.”

Next time you find yourself with an overwhelmed and cluttered mind, please take the time to stop, acknowledge your feelings of insecurity and uncertainty, sit up straight, and breathe. Calmly remind yourself that you are in the present, and whatever struggle is in your future will be braced with a brave motive. If you are worried about the past, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that you have made it to this point in time, and appreciate the moment. Psychologists universally believe that taking just five minutes to meditate each day can increase brain power and help lift your mood. Meditation is not going to eliminate what has happened to put you in a stressful state of mind, but it can be an aid to relieve your mind. Find yourself meditating on a bench, enjoying the sunshine. Find yourself embracing the rain, embracing a lecture in class — find yourself embracing life.

To the person who is finding the energy to carry on the rest of the school week on a Tuesday: sit back, go on YouTube and search “full body scan.” Listen to the voice instructing you on how to simply relax (because sometimes we need to know how to do just that). You might fall asleep, but you probably needed it. You’ll thank yourself later.

Without underestimating the use of meditation, I simply am aiming to help others view meditation as an uncoordinated practice. It can be a religious experience and far more spiritual, but without strings attached — meditation

can be the non-intimidating practice of the inner peace seeking individual. The best time to start is today. Namaste.