Is your meditation practice turning into an obstacle course? Are you wondering whether you should even be having any thoughts at all? Are you feeling more stress now that you've started meditating? It's very likely that your original reason for seeking a meditation practice was to reduce stress, not to increase it!
As a meditation instructor I've had students comment on the many obstacles they've encountered, the stressful feeling of not knowing if they're doing it right or even wondering if they'll gain any of the benefits at all. Well, that sounds pretty stressful to me. In order to experience the benefits of a meditation practice you must be willing to work through some obstacles and having an idea of what those obstacles are, can make a big difference in your approach to find solutions.
Following are some common obstacles you may encounter and some solutions that could work for you (obstacle: solution).
Obstacle: I don't have enough time!
Solution: Make meditation a daily practice. Placing your meditation practice on your daily to-do list must be a priority. Don't meditate just when you feel like it or when time allows. Meditation is a discipline that takes practice and when the benefits start showing up, they'll reinforce your practice.
Obstacle: My mantra is too long/too short!
Solution: Remember that your mantra is just a vehicle for transport, don't analyze it or wonder if it's working. It's like a taxi that takes you to the airport, then leaves. Your mantra is a faint idea that will disappear once it serves its purpose.
Obstacle: I'm having too many thoughts!
Solution: Accept that your thoughts are part of the meditation process. The nature of your mind is to think, so that means that you'll have many, many thoughts. Your thoughts will come and go, don't analyze them, just observe them and let them go.
Obstacle: I want results now!
Solution: Let go of any expectations you may have regarding your meditation results. If you're expecting to change overnight because you've been meditating for a week, it's not going to happen. Meditation is a process like baking; you gather, you mix, and then you bake. Your goodies will turn up, so just keep at it.
Obstacle: I'm too tense!
Solution: Relax and practice effortlessly. Be gentle with yourself because meditation is a time for non-doing. If you stress over your meditation practice, you defeat the whole purpose of meditation. Meditation should never be forced. If you force yourself, you will struggle.
You may think these solutions are easier said than done, however, the results you get will be determined by your willingness to reap the benefits of meditation such as stress-reduction, finding peace with yourself (and others), and most of all, living a healthier life.
It's your meditation time, so don't allow it to turn into a stress-related obstacle course. Wonder no more whether you should be having thoughts or not; just look forward to enjoying the benefits of stress-reduction and your original reason for wanting to learn a meditation practice. Remember that your commitment is to yourself and no one else.
Krystalina Soash is a published author, meditation instructor, and translator. She has two published works, "Your Positive Potential: Action Steps for Self-Empowerment" and "Writing Tips for Student Projects and New Freelance Writers."
You may visit Krystalina at http://www.writingforyounow.com/
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