Meditation is not hard. It’s sitting down to be with yourself. There’s lots of different methods and practices – if you’re in the Bay Area, then you can check out one of our Intro to Meditation classes to learn a specific fun way to do it. The hardest part about becoming someone who meditates every day is the beginning.
Getting started with a regular practice of meditation is easy if you let it be – or it’s the place where you’ll go off the rails before you even begin
Many people wander into a meditation class and walk out inspired… and then don’t take action to make meditation happen in their lives. If you find yourself interested in topics of meditation and spirituality, then that’s the critical first ingredient, but you need to take action to MAKE YOURSELF a spiritual being.
Sure, all of us are spiritual, but how much you embrace that side of your being – versus letting the thick human aspects govern – will dictate how quickly you evolve.
Getting started with a daily practice of meditation means you have to get started.
I realize that this is circular and less than useful. 🙂 What I mean is that you need to make it a priority.
It takes three weeks to start any new habit. If you’re interested in starting a practice of meditation, then commit to yourself, here and now, that you’re going to do it. Decide to do it and you’re more than halfway there.
This is called “setting your intent” and it’s a critical part that many people overlook. Being inspired often doesn’t carry us far. The next state of mind rolls in and we forget how important the thing is; it gets overwritten by the next drama or life crisis.
If you go to a meditation class or experience a teaching or are otherwise blessed by exposure to the dharma, and meditation isn’t a regular part of your life, then take advantage of the luminosity that has touched you and take action on it. DECIDE that you will meditate — not for the rest of your life, but simply TOMORROW. While you’re still in a state of excitement around whatever truth you’ve experienced, look at your schedule for the following day and figure out when you’ll be able to fit in the meditation. Can you carve out some time in the morning? Make a plan. Set the alarm on your cell phone right now for what time you’ll need to get up.
By taking action in the immediate term you can begin to create the groove in your life that will help carry you further.