#343 Challenges to Accept & Transcend when starting Meditation Practice

     Nothing worthwhile is ever simply handed to us, we have to EARN it: commitment in time, effort & energy. When we're sufficiently interested in meditating, we prioritize it, and we start.
     I myself READ about it for 30 YEARS before I actually sat down & began meditating - so I know all about inertia. But the profound benefits of meditation arise ONLY THROUGH PRACTICING meditation.

     “Meditation is not for the faint-hearted, nor for those who routinely avoid the whispered longings of their own hearts.” Jon Kabat-Zinn
 
Initial Challenges we learn to Accept & Transcend in Meditation Practice:
     "Difficulty Maintaining Cognitive Focus, Mind wandering, thinking too much. e.g., “Getting past a wandering mind,” “Doubting my ability to stay focused and clear my mind.” 
     Physical Issues Pain, feeling tired, difficulty sitting still. e. g., “How can I explore different body positions in hope of being generally more comfortable,” “It’s hard not to fall asleep. It makes me tired,” “Lack of willingness to sit still.” 
     General Difficulties During Meditation e.g., “Just hard to do,” “Will meditation ever be easy?” 
     Finding Time to Meditate Outside of Class e.g., “Making time for my formal practice,” “That I don’t have enough time to do it frequently.” 
     Finding Motivation to Meditate Outside of Class e.g., “When am I ever going to feel the urge to sit and meditate by myself?” “I’ve wondered how to find the self-motivation to meditate on my own.” 
     Does Meditation Really Work? Questions about whether meditation is beneficial, expectancy violations for experi- ence during meditation compared to misconceptions about what mindfulness is. e.g., “Is it really that beneficial?” “Whether nor not it works,” “Why doesn’t it instantly transform me?” “It doesn’t always make me happy.” 
     Am I doing it Right? Questions about one’s own ability to do meditation. e.g., “That I’m doing it right,” “That I’m just not getting it,” “Not getting it.” 
     Other e.g., “Why my path is what it is,” “Is skiing and climbing meditation?”"

     Sears SR, Kraus S, Carlough K, Treat E. Perceived benefits and doubts of participants in a weekly meditation study. Mindfulness (NY), 2011, 10.1007/s12671-011-0055-4.  

 

SERGE333   www.dpreview.com

#322 Immediacy of Experience vs Avoidance & Procrastination

     There's a very strong tendency to erect barriers between ourselves and living a better, more meaningful life. It's sooooo much easier to admire, even idolize teachers, than to actually follow their instructions.
     The fact is, if the teachers are able to do it, so can we - as long as we persevere, and work away at it patiently, continuously, for life. If they didn't think we could do it, they wouldn't intentionally frustrate us.
     Good teachers neither need nor want praise & adulation. What makes teachers happy is seeing their students flourish by learning to live more wisely.
     Mindfulness instructions are NOT a list of "shoulds" or "commandments." You're not "bad" if you don't follow the instructions, or if you follow them half-heartedly. You won't be punished in the future.
      Mindfulness instructions are practical suggestions on how to live well, most meaningfully, moment-to-moment. Feedback occurs immediately, in real time - as you do, or don't, follow the instructions. It's direct experiential learning - do more of what works to improve your deepest quality of life, and do less of what doesn't work.

Gerry Frederick   www.dpreview.com