Meditation
Meditation. I told you we were going to visit this subject. Settle in; we’re going deep.
Have you started your practice yet? I have started and restarted a million times. But I think I’m finally into real practice now. These are the mountains I have scaled to find the perfect valley of peace. See what you think.
Yes, it will take some rearranging of your day, and yes it will take some rearranging of your mind.
Pick a time you believe will best work for your schedule. Sounds so trite and flippant, huh? Because you have soooo much free time in your day. None of these steps can be taken in a rush or are set in concrete. They are steps, not hurdles. Pause several times in your day and think, “could I put in a 10–20-minute meditation session right here?”
Second, pick a place where it will best work for your body. Chair, floor, couch. The bed won’t work, and the shower won’t work. I’ve tried them. Where in your home is a low energy place where you feel comfortable and safe? By safe I mean safe from distractions or interruptions. Under the coffee table? It’s a start.
Third, tell your people. Don’t be embarrassed or self-conscious. Don’t try to sneak around to get it done. This is called self-care and boundary setting. “Hey (husband, child, parent, pet), I’m going to take a few quiet minutes to start my day (end my day). I’ll be in the (basement, bedroom, garden, office). Can I get you not to interrupt me and I promise I’ll let you know when I am done? Do you have any questions for me before I slip away?”
Here are the landmines…. Your tribe will not be able to resist, they will have to interrupt you once or twice. They are looking to see how committed you are to this new activity that doesn’t include them (OMG! Whaatttt???) They will feign innocence, “Oh I forgot you were doing this…Oh I just need this thing out of this space right now”. This is where grace and compassion will play a huge role…. for yourself and for them. It’s new, and you are not acting right.
You will change your place. That chair was not comfortable enough, there was a draft on the floor, you are truly in too much of a high traffic area of the house, the sun was in your eyes. Keep searching.
You will change your time. If you chose a morning time slot you find that you fall asleep that early in the day. If you chose an evening time slot, you back down in deference to end of day commitments. Don’t stop now.
You got this, hang tough. These are mind games that have been ruling your life for so long they almost seem real. They are not. Your body knows the answers. If you will sit, you will learn.
I struggled for years before landing a comfortable practice that works for me and Terry. I began in my office. The chair was comfortable, but there were too many distractions. I knew my calendar was right in front of me, I have a TV in that room (even though I never turned it on, the temptation was there), Terry was usually stirring around, and I have large windows at my desk. I tried another chair in that room, but it just wasn’t right. I tried the couch, but I was still downstairs in the flow of others. I finally settled in the yoga studio upstairs. OK, don’t judge me, I know that seems perfectly logical, but it was all the way… up…. the… stairs. Know what I mean?
One day I just tried it. I prepared myself a cup of coffee in a travel mug (I didn’t want to spill it and needed it to stay warm.) I had a scarf in case I got cold, box of tissues close by (stuff comes up in meditation, more on that later), my cell phone and ear buds. I was ready and it was perfect. Best meditation session ever and I have not changed since. Not quite ready to try it alone? Join me in one of my recorded videos for a session. You are not alone, I am here for you.