Tips for great meditation
I want to get better at taking the time to meditate and really getting in touch with my body, but it can be hard to find the time and stay focused. How can I get better at being in the moment and diving deeper into my mind?
To answer this question, you must be logged in.
Already have an account? Login.
By Signing up, you indicate that you have read and agree to Sage's Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
Answers ( 1 )
A great many assumptions are made about the nature of meditation, and the benefits of meditating. Most of us find it difficult to step out of daily life habits to sit still and so-to-speak stare at our navel and meditate to go deep into a meditative state. Truth is, you don't need that kind of deep experience to find meditation helpful.
As humans, we naturally have active minds and for a practice of stopping daily life to shift into another gear of consciousness is like screeching life to a halt to try and take the mind for a rest. It's difficult for anyone to do that. What I can suggest is that for a satisfying experience that you try not to go to that far or deep place of meditation. That works well for people who aren't living ordinary lives, but if you are, then you'll be battling the need to be active, and you'll be hitting a wall that feels unsatisfying.
So, a suggestion is that in whatever meditation form you choose to practice, allow that part of your mind to run, and when you are sitting trying to contemplate, and you realize you aren't focusing, then notice that, become aware of your mind traveling, and then you can bring your thoughts back to the meditation. Just like a child running loose, grab them and bring them back into your care. Don't worry that you are not going deep enough, get your body and mind used to the idea that it will run on its own, just bring it back to the task at hand when it goes wandering. Don't aim for that deeper experience, aim for the restful nature of meditation, and the understanding will come. Don't force anything, that works against your experience. Don't think hard about it, allow it to be.
Being in the moment is hard for many of us to do, our minds being as full and active as they are, so when your mind strays, take note of it, and just in taking note of what's happening, you become more with that moment. Think of that child off wandering - you may give them a certain amount of play before calling them to come back. Allow your natural behavior, just be aware of it, and bring it back home when you see it.