I’ve been interested in meditation all my life and made dozens of false starts but never stuck with anything. At the beginning of the pandemic I took a TM class, which advises two 20-minute sessions per day. That seemed like a lot for someone who had struggled with even a single short session in the past, but I stuck with it and made it a daily habit. Recently I switched from TM (which is mantra based) to following the breath/open awareness. Happy to report the skill transferred! It’s definitely one of the most important things I do for myself. 🙏
“to an anxiety provoking possibility that might never come to pass.” I’m the master of this one. I’ve oddly found Pickleball of all things grounds me in the present. For 2 hours I think of nothing but my next shot and my opponents likely next response. It is fast moving enough that there is no time to be anywhere but in the present moment. I come out so mentally refreshed it took me awhile to figure out why. While I love tennis too, I do not come away mentally refreshed. Too much time in between points to ruminate on the past or worry about the future. Other more profound things work too to keep me in the present. Reading a book I’m engrossed in, listening to great music, being in a great conversation where you can be yourself with people who laugh easily, watching nature, etc
Pickleball sounds like an activity where you can find “flow”, I get that from hiking. I don’t think, I just climb. If we can find those activities that produce the meditative quality of absorption, it gives us that present moment awareness and mental refreshment you talked about. Thanks for reading and commenting, Scott!
I’ve been meditating since 2014 but only got really consistent with a daily practice in the last several years. These past several years, especially since the pandemic, have been pushing me to deepen my practice and meditate more frequently. Unfortunately I’ve been resisting that push. Thank you for this piece and the nudge.
I’m glad to hear you’re ready to answer the call! With ten years of practice under your belt already, I imagine a deepening of your practice will bring surprising change. Thank you for sharing.
It took awhile, but it finally occurred to me that meditation wasn’t about acquiring, or going somewhere, it was about releasing, and coming back.
I like the way you framed that. I think you’re exactly right.
I’ve been interested in meditation all my life and made dozens of false starts but never stuck with anything. At the beginning of the pandemic I took a TM class, which advises two 20-minute sessions per day. That seemed like a lot for someone who had struggled with even a single short session in the past, but I stuck with it and made it a daily habit. Recently I switched from TM (which is mantra based) to following the breath/open awareness. Happy to report the skill transferred! It’s definitely one of the most important things I do for myself. 🙏
That’s cool, Matt. Yeah 20 x 2 would be a big hurdle for most of us. Good on you for sticking with it! I’m sure it’s transformative.
“to an anxiety provoking possibility that might never come to pass.” I’m the master of this one. I’ve oddly found Pickleball of all things grounds me in the present. For 2 hours I think of nothing but my next shot and my opponents likely next response. It is fast moving enough that there is no time to be anywhere but in the present moment. I come out so mentally refreshed it took me awhile to figure out why. While I love tennis too, I do not come away mentally refreshed. Too much time in between points to ruminate on the past or worry about the future. Other more profound things work too to keep me in the present. Reading a book I’m engrossed in, listening to great music, being in a great conversation where you can be yourself with people who laugh easily, watching nature, etc
Pickleball sounds like an activity where you can find “flow”, I get that from hiking. I don’t think, I just climb. If we can find those activities that produce the meditative quality of absorption, it gives us that present moment awareness and mental refreshment you talked about. Thanks for reading and commenting, Scott!
Consistent meditation offers so much stabilization which allows us to deal with life in a healthier way. Appreciate your insight! Spot on.
Thanks for reading, Beth! Sounds like you must be a practitioner.
I’ve been meditating since 2014 but only got really consistent with a daily practice in the last several years. These past several years, especially since the pandemic, have been pushing me to deepen my practice and meditate more frequently. Unfortunately I’ve been resisting that push. Thank you for this piece and the nudge.
I’m glad to hear you’re ready to answer the call! With ten years of practice under your belt already, I imagine a deepening of your practice will bring surprising change. Thank you for sharing.
Another great writing. Thanks for sharing this. I definitely need to start meditating. 🙂