If you sense that it’s not effective, that doesn’t imply there’s no possibility left.
Over the past four years, I’ve embarked on a path to enhance my mental and physical well-being. It is a convoluted journey at times, yet I have made substantial strides recently. My approach has varied, incorporating everything from cognitive-behavioral therapy to meditation, yoga, and physical activity.
At times, it requires significant effort to prioritize your mental and physical well-being. I primarily focus on meditation for its mental health advantages, but it also offers numerous physical health benefits that have been scientifically validated as helpful. When you’re not in an ideal state, beginning can be challenging. Regardless of your motivation to try meditation, you might encounter some difficulties during the initial phase. Not everyone can effortlessly sit in a peaceful environment with an erect posture and instantly engage in meaningful meditation.
Meditation is profoundly individual. We each have different methods, and we come from various perspectives. There isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” meditation method that suits everyone. If you find it difficult to meditate, it’s vital not to immediately hold yourself accountable for it.
Before you start meditating, be open to the concepts of self-acceptance and mindfulness.
“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.”
― Amit Ray
When I initially began practicing yoga and attempting meditation, the messages didn’t resonate with me. They seemed insincere and disconnected from reality. All the “forgive yourself, accept yourself, and love yourself” messages appeared merely idealistic at first.
I believe part of that perception may stem from my upbringing. Growing up in a tiny community in suburban America, being different felt like a crime. If you stood out, your family and neighbors would gossip. I feel like my small town, with under 2,000 residents, is akin to stepping into a time capsule from 50 years ago. Unfortunately, that also signifies that many residents are not particularly progressive.
In that context, even yoga and meditation were perceived as peculiar activities, deserving of judgment. This contributed to my difficulty in starting — I feared being evaluated for my differences.
Regardless of your motivations, if you’re finding it tough to begin, it might be necessary to engage in some self-reflection and delve deeper into what might be obstructing your progress. There could be elements in your subconscious that make it challenging to accept these positive affirmations. It might relate to your background, similar to my experience.
Trial and error is essential to finding which meditation methods suit you best.
Another factor that has significantly aided me in maintaining a consistent meditation practice with genuine mindfulness is understanding that not every meditation technique is suitable for me. If certain methods aren’t resonating with you, that’s entirely fine. We are all unique. We possess different learning preferences and styles. While there is beauty in that diversity, it also implies that some practices will resonate with you while others will not.
If you’re eager to explore meditation but find it difficult, experiment with different techniques and methods. Guided meditations can be particularly beneficial. In these sessions, an instructor will guide you through the stages of beginning your meditation, enhancing your breath, and calming your thoughts. These gentle prompts can be invaluable if your mind begins to drift. Furthermore, learning from compassionate meditation instructors who encourage you to return to a state of mental calmness after recognizing your thoughts can help you treat yourself more kindly when you become distracted.
It’s crucial to investigate various meditation methods.
· Guided meditations
· Sound healing meditations
· Visualization practices
· Body scans — concentrating on a different body part with each breath
· Attuning to your surroundings without active thought
· Counting the duration of your inhales and exhales
· Alternate nostril breathing
· Meditating with music
· Breathing in sync with meditation tunes
There exists a multitude of approaches and techniques for meditation. If you’ve tried a few and haven’t found any particularly appealing, continue to experiment. You never know what you might unearth. Personally, counting the duration of my breaths greatly assists me; it provides my mind with a task while I attempt to quiet my thoughts. Although there remains some degree of activity in my head, it aids in calming me down and focusing on being present in the moment.
Always bear in mind that meditation is a skill that flourishes with practice.
“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh
When you face challenges in meditating, consider another