The chances are, once you have the idea that meditation requires commitment is in your mind, you will never get started. The task looks just too big.
Which is why I suggest 5 minute meditations!
Life always seems so hectic that you just don’t feel that you have the time. That’s why I suggest 5 minutes. It’s nothing in the scheme of things and a 5 minute meditation often makes you feel better about the rest of the day.
You will feel that there is more of a flow to the day and often you will find you have more control over the events that happen each day.
I prefer to reframe these behaviours rather than beat myself up about it.
I say: “What is the best thing that could happen if I meditate for 5 minutes?”
“What happens when I have the time to meditate?”
“How does it make me feel after I have meditated for 5 Minutes?”
Simply getting started should make you feel good, and it is only 5 minutes after all.
Another way to block your approach to taking up meditation is to say to yourself that it all sounds too simple.
Just sitting on a cushion following your breath…
How is that going to work then?
This also creates an obstacle to getting on the cushion.
When things appear simple, we tend to think of them as less effective when in fact the simpler the approach, the better the results in many cases. Why should something be better simply by being more complicated?
We have all had teachers who are brilliant at teaching because they could simplify a topic.
‘Keep it Simple Stupid’ has always been a saying of mine. Whenever I am teaching I break things down to their simplest components.
Meditation is simple as a technique… Making it over complex is the complete anathema of the act itself!
So, get rid of this idea that if it’s not complicated, it’s not good. You should be overjoyed that it is so easy to do.
There is also this idea that you might not have a natural ability to do it.
What? Sitting on a cushion and following your breath?
Come on! What could be easier?
I think the toughest objection to deal with is if you live in a busy household with lots of distractions, like kids and animals or noisy neighbours. That can be tough.
However, there is always a time when the kids are in bed. I find my dog settles down anyway when I meditate and joins me on the cushion. If you make a commitment to sit, it will start the ball rolling and once you get into the habit, it gets easier.
If I am having a tough day and unable to meditate at my regular time I will do it while waiting for a kettle to boil, or when I am in the bath or in the loo.
If you have the will, you will find a way.
Remember, if you don’t want to sit, that’s fine too. Just ask yourself why you wanted to start in the first place!
With this in mind, I have decided to run a one off online seminar – “Commit To Sit” on Saturday 13th June at 2pm.
Its ONLY £15 and will last about 2 hours + (well, you know me… I always over deliver and give added value).
This will give you the opportunity to learn how to do meditation and get in the right state of mind to set up a regular practice.
I will guide you through the fundamental techniques that will help you achieve control over your emotions and the problems these reactions can have.
At the end of the seminar you will have a handy toolbox of mental techniques to help you navigate effectively through life
So come and join me on the cushion!
Click here to register for the ‘Commit To Sit’ meditation seminar
Inmo Bob