Do you have meditation hesitation?
I can remember way back to the first time I attempted to meditate. I felt foolish at first, and failed miserably for the first few attempts.
Ok, you caught me. The first few weeks…
For some reason, I felt strongly about it and kept at it. I had a friend who swore by it, and she was my inspiration to keep trying.
I don’t even know if failure is the right word, but I certainly wasn’t achieving what I thought were my desirable results.
There are a number of reasons that people fail initially and then eventually give up on mediation.
Let’s take a look at what some of the top reasons are for not succeeding with meditation.
You Are Alone With Your Thoughts
Wow, this is a tough one. Perhaps you’re at a spot in your life where meditation could really help you relax, de-stress, sort out your problems, etc.
The one thing that may be holding you back from achieving all these benefits through meditation is the fact that you’re not completely comfortable looking inward at yourself.
Or perhaps your mind runs wild and you can't seem to focus your thoughts on any one particular area, or maybe you're stuck on one subject and not able to drive it from your mind.
I know this was part of my problem at the beginning, and I really struggled with it.
Being a part of this modern world has plenty of advantages, but there are a few disadvantages as well. One of the biggest is information overload.
From the time we awaken until the time our exhausted heads hit the pillow, we are constantly bombarded with information and noise from every angle.
Life is hectic in general, and when you stack up commuting, job stress, family life and all the associated chores of home ownership, etc., life can be downright overwhelming.
It’s no wonder that when you sit down to have a few free minutes to yourself, your mind is still running at full tilt.
Tip: How to deal with racing thoughts when trying to meditate
· Pick a place free from distractions and background noise
· Pick a time when you’ll be able to dedicate at least 15 minutes to meditation, especially when you’re first getting started. Many people mediate early in the morning, before the stresses of the day begin to take hold. This worked well for me.
· Focus on your breathing. Take deep and slow breaths and concentrate on how your breathing feels.
· If thoughts race into your mind, avoid passing judgment on them. Just let them flow by like a river without dwelling on them
A racing mind is perhaps the biggest roadblock to successful meditation sessions. With practice, you’ll be able to calm your mind and get the most from your meditation.
You Are Unsure Of What To Expect From Meditation
If you’re attempting meditation without the benefit of guidance from an instructor, (which is the way most people approach it), you may be in very unfamiliar territory.
Don’t expect things to change overnight. Meditation is an art and also a learned practice. It’s not uncommon to think you’re failing at meditation when in fact you’re building a foundation for success with every session.
Results from anything worthwhile are seldom instantaneous.
Some of the changes, like increased mental focus and concentration, can be so subtle that you may not realize them first.
Rather than expect a light switch type of change, mentally prepare yourself for a period of learning and adjustment while you begin your meditation journey.
How Do I Get Started
Some people love to be in the planning stages with every project they take on. It’s a comfortable place, and safe from failure because you haven’t really started anything yet, so how could you possibly fail?
Nothing could be easier than to begin meditation, so let’s take a look at some of the most common questions, along with my answers, below.
· What is the best time to meditate?
Whatever time suits you best, basically. Most people have the greatest success first thing in the morning, when they have the house to themselves and the world is still quiet, so I would start off like that. As you progress you’ll find that it’s possible for you to meditate almost anytime and anywhere.
· How long should I meditate for?
Again, this is a very individual thing, but when just starting out I would say that even 5 minutes can be beneficial. Too long a session at first will only set you up for failure, so aim for shorter times when just starting, and gradually increase session length as you gain more experience.
· What position should I meditate in?
I recommend a sitting position when first starting out. It’s easy to find a comfortable place to sit and you’ll be relaxed more easily.
· Where should I meditate?
Find a place that’s free from distractions and noise, and that’s a comfortable temperature. If you have a favorite room in your house, you are already at ease and comfortable here, so it’s a great place to start.
· Do I need an instructor?
You can certainly get started all on your own with meditation. In some instances it may be more beneficial to have the guidance of an instructor, but it’s not essential.
Loss Of Inspiration
This happens to me all the time, and it may happen to you too as well.
Perhaps you’re thinking of meditating to relieve some personal stress that has been dragging you down lately.
Or maybe you feel the need to reflect on recent developments at work or in your personal life. Or you’ve heard of all the wonderful health benefits that meditation can offer.
Whatever the reason, something first drove us to seek the calming and restorative power that meditation provides.
And whenever that something disappears or is no longer the hottest issue we’re facing, we tend to forget that meditation has not just short term benefits, but longer lasting ones as well.
Another reason some people fail to get their daily meditation done is that they simply get to busy, and even the it requires only a small amount of time, it’s easy to blow it off and get swallowed up by the next task on our calendar.
I urge you to keep your eye on the big picture and carry on with your meditation no matter where you are with your life.
When times get tough, that’s the time to double down on what’s working for you. And meditation can be a powerful and positive force in your life if you give it a chance.
Bonus Material - The Benefits Of Meditation
The benefits of meditation can be basically broken down into two categories, mental and physical.
Please see the lists below, and note that these are only the main benefits meditation offers.
Mental Benefits
Decreases Anxiety
Provides Emotional Clarity
Increased Concentration And Focus
Lowers Stress
Increases Happiness
Provides Peace Of Mind
Greater Self-Acceptance
Physical Benefits
Improves Immune System
Lowers Blood Pressure
Decreases Tension And Joint Pain
Improves Cardiovascular System Health
It Can Slow Aging
Can Increase Serotonin Production
Lowers Inflammation In Your Body
As you can see, meditation can provide amazing health benefits, but the path can be difficult to stay on.
I urge you to stick with meditation even though you may feel like quitting at times, and I guarantee you’ll see positive changes in your life as a result
To your ever increasing health
Ted
