I used to to think I was an utter failure at meditation (cue the sound of a thousand meditation teachers shaking their heads sadly) because I couldn’t keep my mind clear for any length of time. But when I read some of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s work I found out that I should be taking the word ‘practice’ in meditation practice more literally.
Kabat-Zinn says (and I’m paraphrasing here) that it is okay to struggle with focus and to have to bring yourself back to the contemplative state over and over again. You will find it easier sometimes and harder at other times, but there is no point in beating yourself up because thoughts occur to you while you sit in meditation.
Minds generate thoughts, it’s their main work (I think he likens it to the ocean producing waves), but you can learn not to get caught up in them. But even if you do, bringing yourself back to a gentle focus on your breath (or whatever you have chosen to focus on) is part of the practice.
Aside from learning to accept thoughts as part of my practice, I have also learned to accept that I do not need to do a long practice in order to benefit from meditation.
For the last 45 days, I have done a short meditation (5 minutes or less) each day and it has made a big difference in my daily life. I feel like I am a little more grounded and I have a little more patience to drawn on.
A little more patience is a great thing when you have to help two kids navigate their days and I found mine on Youtube.
Yes, in addition to videos of people behaving like idiots, Youtube has a huge selection of meditation videos. Just search for the type or length of meditation you want to do, find a comfortable spot, and begin your practice.
I’ve even gotten away with meditating at my kitchen table, wearing earphones, while my sons play in the living room. Sure, it’s not ideal, and it’s probably not going to lead to enlightment, but I am not seeking enlightenment at the moment, I just want to quiet my mind a bit.
Hopefully, the time will come when sitting for longer practices will be possible, but in the meantime, five minute practices are helping a lot.
