This week we have been talking about the benefits of meditation. When we think about all that it can do for us it clearly is something we should find time for…but we often don’t. Our outside lives tug and pull at us and we push those things that are really good for us further and further down our to do list. Perhaps as we look at the benefits we can shift our perception and ask, Do I really have the time to NOT meditate? For me this brings up a whole different flow of ideas and questions….like how well am I caring for myself, where are my priorities…what do I truly value…and maybe most motivating for me, if I want to feel good then how can I not take the time?
I remember when I first began in the seventies€¦I had three small children, ran a small business and lived in an unfinished house that required lots of time in many ways. Back then I got up before anyone else—not easy!€â€and also made time at 4PM when Sesame Street came on. My children loved that show and it captured their interest long enough for me to have 20 minutes to meditate. I also told them if they wanted a nice Mommy they would respect that time!! They already knew the difference €“E.G. when I was NOT the nice Mommy€â€so it worked!
Over the years I have explored different types of meditation, come and gone in my practice€¦but always returned. At some point my practice took a deep enough root so that it did not disappear for more than a day or so. My observation is that it is like any other change we wish to make€¦.we just have to keep on keeping on!
4 Tips for establishing a practice
1. Explore different methods€¦one size does not fit all and at different times of your life you may find one method more suiting than another.
2. Read Journey to Awakening by Ram Dass, it is a great resource to help on your journey.
3. Be aware of your own tendencies and adjust for them as you go along. When I first began I found I had to start with a short time and build up to more time. Eventually there came a time when I wanted longer meditations. The advice at the time was to simply sit for the full time and just deal with it€¦.that did not work for me. Listen to yourself€¦it does not pay to build too much resistance.
4. Let go of unrealistic expectations. Your mind will never be blank€¦meditation is about learning to relate to our minds in a new way.
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