Meditating can be daunting. The common misconception is sitting on the floor cross-legged ohm-ing for an hour. Most people can’t do that. Frankly, it’s not necessary.
Meditation is simply the act of removing your mind from the outside world. Period. As such it can be done many ways such as passively or actively. Passively is sitting on the floor or lying in bed not doing anything physically. Actively is engaging in an activity like a form of exercise or even chores. Buddhist monks have the saying, “Chop wood, carry water” meaning they can clear their mind while doing mundane tasks.
Let It Be
It’s not possible to completely clear your mind of thoughts. It’s just not. Therefore, that is not the goal of meditation. The goal is to not engage with your thoughts, don’t attach to them. Meaning, don’t think about your thoughts, don’t ruminate on them, don’t get emotionally caught up in them. Simply see them as clouds floating by. “Oh, look, there’s another cloud [thought]! That’s interesting. How pretty!” Or use any other analogy that appeals to you. Let them drift in and out of your mind. Don’t stop to analyze them.
The reason people meditate is to calm themselves and/or to get insights. It’s tempting to start reflecting. Reflection is thinking about the past or experiences and analyzing them. Don’t go there. That involves active thought.
Introspection, on the other hand, is examining your thoughts, feelings and motivations. Don’t dwell on them either. Rather ask for insight about them. If something is bothering you, acknowledge it, get quiet and ask for insight on it. The answer will come. Like Paul McCartney said, “Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.” Let go of your expectations and let the whispers appear.
Don’t Have Expectations
Expectations are what hangs people up about meditating. All the time I hear things like, “I’m not doing it right!” or “I never get insights.” There is no right or wrong except follow the guidelines: Let your thoughts go as best as you can, don’t attach to them, get quiet and ask for guidance or insights. That’s it.
Sounds simple, right?
It seems the simple is often found in the most profound. That’s why meditating can take time to perfect. Many of us have busy brains so we can’t slow down enough to get quiet. That’s why it takes practice to cultivate that. Do whatever you have to do to calm the monkey mind. Do a guided meditation, drink some relaxing tea like chamomile, put on soothing music. Whatever you have to do.
Realize that you may not get your answer right away. Many people get disappointed because they sat down and meditated and nothing happened. It’s highly unlikely the first time you do it you’ll have success. That isn’t meant as discouragement, but that’s what often happens. We have to get used to being calm and letting go of thoughts, not attaching. We have to get comfortable with what this feels like. It’s training your mind and body. It’s a new way to be and let go.
It could take days, weeks or even months to get what you are looking for. Don’t give up. All good things take time.
It Can Happen When You Least Expect It
Dwelling, ruminating, fixating or trying to work out a problem is like forcing it. Turning it over in your mind over and over again is putting you down in the weeds. It doesn’t happen then because you can’t see the forest from the trees. When we let it go, is when the solution can appear.
Pushing doesn’t work. The best advice when approaching a cat, dog or child is to hang back, let them get a sense of you and then they’ll approach you or allow you to approach. Treat meditation the same way – don’t approach rapidly or aggressively.
Let the answer come to you, vs going to look for it. It will come. And often when you least expect it.
Sometimes things randomly pop into our head when we’re doing nothing or something like driving or in the shower. When the answer appears, it could be the result of trying to work out a problem. Then the solution trickles down from our subconscious into our consciousness. That’s the download.
When I started my business twenty years ago, I meditated for a while before being struck with the answer to my question right as I was walking in the Old Navy parking lot! The inspiration hit that quickly and vividly that I can still recall exactly where I was. Inspiration can hit just like that, in a flash! Remember that. It can happen to you.
When you zoom out you are letting go of the details, allowing the picture to take shape. It is coming into focus. vs hyper focusing. Let this big picture happen and stop focusing on details to give a different perspective. Step back and observe, don’t fixate on the details. The more you are honed in on details, the less likely you are to see the big picture. Don’t look with the magnifying glass. This is a way of clearing your mind to let in what you need to see.
Start Slow and Easy
It’s often recommended to set the mood by lighting candles, putting on soothing music, maybe even holding or using a crystal or stone. That can be good or it can lead to expectations because you did it all “right” but nothing’s happening. If you think that may be the case for you, then don’t do this until you are more practiced.
Start with easier ways where your body is busy but your mind can let go. Things like watering the grass, mowing the lawn or washing the dishes – nothing complicated which requires focus like tackling an organization project. Going with the candles and mood music could be building it up in your mind into this big ordeal. It can be distracting or disappointing to have a ritual, expecting it to happen and it doesn’t. If the ritual works for you and works for you right away, then do it. If not, start slower and easier.
Good things come to those who wait. Be patient. It will happen. Don’t give up.
Why is meditating so important? It allows us to connect with our best friend, our INTUITION!
If you want to learn how to listen to your intuition, how to talk to it and how to trust it by CLICKING
HERE.
Once you start listening to your intuition, you’ll be amazed how much your life clicks into place. Then you can truly start enjoying yourself. CLICK HERE to find out more!
