In my own meditation practice I’ve had my ups and downs. Working with the current challenge (see below) has enabled me to run into each of the annoying little problems that make for handy excuses and fuel for resistance. So, while I’m here, let me share a few things I’ve learned to help make your meditation all the better:
- Get some rest. If you aren’t getting enough rest, now is a good time to start. If you’re having to slam caffeine just to get through the day, your meditations will be off-course and filled with dream imagery. This may not necessarily be a bad thing in the abstract, but you don’t want to condition yourself to the idea that meditation time is sleep time.
- Do. Not. Engage. Stay in the meditation at all costs. It may be tempting when the small ones start getting into things. Sometimes you hear something fascinating at the edge of your hearing. Stay in the meditation. You’ll be glad you did.
- If #2 fails, just return. Don’t make a big deal out of it. Don’t get frustrated or angry. Just go back in. You will be almost right back to where you were, if you managed to keep your cool.
- Set the scene. Some meditative practices work at any time of the day or night. You can be folding laundry, or filing papers, and you can be using those techniques. Others require that you sit still for a while, with your eyes closed. Others are somewhere in-between. In each case, one thing remains the same: Set yourself up to succeed. See if you can cut the chaos. There is no reason to do it the hard way.
- Take notes. One thing that has really helped me is writing a few notes. It doesn’t have to be long or involved. Just write down any new ideas. Seeing things differently now? Write it down.
- Keep going. One of the reasons I did this challenge was because I had never been able to be truly consistent in my meditation practice. Now that I am (and approaching the halfway mark), I can say with certainty that there is a very powerful truth in making sure that you keep going. It won’t be easy, and not every meditation will be what you expect. But, the benefits keep adding up.
- Have fun. Last, but not least, as they say. If you aren’t enjoying your meditative time, then you won’t be able to force yourself to keep going. Learn to enjoy the time within.
Do you have any lessons you’ve learned in maintaining meditation practice? Please share them in the comments!
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***The November 2007 Challenge***
This is the badge for my two goals. There are two “points”: One for each piece of the challenge. (Living up to the “Blogging Promise” at right and maintaining a good, consistent meditation practice each and every day.) The challenge began 11-9-2007 and ends 12-9-2007. Comments, suggestions, and feedback welcome!
