If you think it’s not effective, that doesn’t imply there’s no possibility.
I’ve been on a path to enhance my mental and physical well-being for the last four years. It’s sometimes a twisted journey, but I’ve achieved significant strides over the past few years. I’ve explored this from multiple angles, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, meditation, yoga, and exercise.
At times, it requires considerable effort to do what’s best for your mental and physical well-being. I’m primarily focusing on meditation for its mental health advantages, yet it also provides numerous physical health benefits that have been scientifically validated as effective interventions. When you’re not in an ideal place, initiating the process can be challenging. However, regardless of your incentive for attempting meditation, there may be some initial discomfort when beginning. Not everyone can simply sit in silence with a straight spine and instantly attain meaningful meditation.
Meditation is deeply personal. Each of us has our own distinct methods and perspectives. There isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” meditation method that suits everyone. If you find it difficult to meditate, it’s essential not to immediately hold yourself accountable for it.
Before meditating, it’s vital to embrace the foundations of self-acceptance and mindfulness.
“When I initially began my journey with yoga and meditation, the messages didn’t resonate with me. They felt insincere, almost unreal. All those proclamations about “forgiving yourself, accepting yourself, and loving yourself” seemed like idealistic nonsense in the beginning.
I believe part of that sentiment might derive from my upbringing. Growing up in a minuscule town in suburban America, being different felt like a crime. If you stood out, your family and neighbors would gossip. I often feel as though my small town, with a population under 2,000, is a time capsule from 50 years ago. Unfortunately, many people there aren’t particularly forward-thinking.
Given that background, even yoga and meditation were perceived as odd, subjects to be critiqued. This perspective likely contributed to my initial struggle — I was apprehensive about being judged for being different.
Regardless of your motivations, if you’re finding it difficult to begin, you may need to engage in some self-reflection and examine what may be causing those hindrances. There might be something within your subconscious that obstructs your ability to embrace these positive messages. Perhaps it’s rooted in your upbringing, similar to my experience.”
It takes trial and error to identify which meditation methods suit you best.
Another factor that has significantly helped me maintain regular meditation and practice mindfulness genuinely is acknowledging that not every meditation technique is suitable for me. If you find that certain methods don’t resonate with you, that’s entirely understandable. Each person is unique. We possess various styles of learning and different personal inclinations. This uniqueness is beautiful, though it also indicates that some methods will appeal to you while others won’t.
If you wish to dive into meditation but encounter difficulties, experiment with various techniques and approaches. Guided meditations can be immensely beneficial. In these sessions, a teacher will guide you through the phases of initiating your meditation, deepening your breath, and quieting your mind. These gentle prompts can aid significantly if your thoughts begin to stray. Moreover, learning from compassionate meditation instructors who guide you back to mental stillness after recognizing your thoughts can help you be more forgiving with yourself when distractions arise.
Exploring different meditation methods is crucial.
· Guided meditations
· Sound healing meditations
· Visualization techniques
· Body scans — concentrating on a different body part with every breath
· Awareness of your surroundings without judgment
· Counting the seconds of your inhales and exhales
· Alternate nostril breathing
· Music-assisted meditation
· Breathing in sync with meditative music
There are countless approaches and techniques within meditation. If you’ve experimented with a few but didn’t find any particularly appealing, continue to try new things. You may stumble upon something that resonates with you. For me, personally, counting the duration of my inhales and exhales proves very helpful; it provides my mind with a task while I attempt to quiet my thoughts. Although my mind remains active, it aids me in relaxing and concentrating on being present in the moment.
Always keep in mind that meditation is a skill that improves with practice.
“When you’re finding it tough to meditate, consider another skill you possess. Did it simply appear out of nowhere? Or was it a skill that you developed through dedicated effort? It can be any skill — the ability to grasp complex software, the knack for sorting laundry in a