What Counts As Meditation?

People often ask me what about my morning routine. I usually answer that I meditate for 15--30 minutes before I do anything else, but that answer has always been tentative for me because what I mean may not be what people think when they think of meditati

People often ask me what about my morning routine. I usually answer that I meditate for 15-30 minutes before I do anything else, but that answer has always been tentative for me because what I mean may not be what people think when they think of meditation. For some, what I do may not "count" as meditation.

I wrote about this on Facebook a few weeks ago and it was the most popular thing I've shared in a while, so I figured you might want to see it, too:

What counts as meditation? I do not sit in lotus or light incense or intuit my chakras or commune with source I sit in my comfy chair with my usually-grumpy cat sleep-purring on a pillow on my lap My headphones cancel out the noise and the whirring of my home Eyes lightly closed I don't focus on my breathing, but my breathing happens at a natural, slow pace My mind is like a sunny beach with a light breeze thoughts come and go the urge to do comes and goes plans form and unform People visit me People I miss, I love and send well-wishes People I get to see, I love and send gratitude People who are gone, I tribute People who hurt me, I send lovingkindness Because that's what we both need No one stays long, but they all stay long enough I feel whatever comes up The butterflies of hope The chuckles of humor The warm fuzzies of love The heat of anger The tears of sadness I do not analyze the feelings Or try to have them be something else They are just there, like the wind and the waves Forceful for a moment, gone the next I sip my coffee and enjoy its rich tones My sleep-purring cat suddenly love-bites me and falls back asleep I set a timer so I don't lose track of time but I mostly sit until I'm ready to not-sit anymore I don't know if this counts as meditation I can't not do it I don't want to make it anything more than it is I carry it with me all day and return when needed It keeps me whole, ready, and grounded And that is enough