A few months ago I began meditating. I have read so many books and listen to many podcasts that talked about meditation in their daily routine. I was intrigued. In the past, I also thought meditating was a foreign concept that only very spiritual people or hippies did. I knew I couldn’t do it alone, so I purchased an app on my iPhone, “Simply Being.” It is a self-guided meditation that allows for 5-30 minute sessions with different background music and volume settings. My goals for meditation were:
- Regain focus and boost energy.
- To give appreciation for my life and what I have in it.
My goal was to set time aside each day, whether that was in the morning before work, on my lunch break or after work. In the beginning, I started with 15-20 minute sessions; I would get in a comfortable position, close my eyes and let the app take over. I would get so relaxed I fell asleep most of the time. So, I had to also set my alarm so I didn’t oversleep (especially on my lunch break). When I woke up I felt amazing! I repeated this for a month until I came to a realization about this new routine I was doing each day. Was I truly meeting my goals? Was I quieting my mind, re-focusing and taking the time to appreciate what I have in my life? NO. I was taking a power nap.
Was I truly meeting my goals? Was I quieting my mind, re-focusing and taking the time to appreciate what I have in my life? NO. I was taking a power nap.
Was I quieting my mind, re-focusing and taking the time to appreciate what I have in my life? NO. I was taking a power nap.
NO. I was taking a power nap.
I reevaluated my plan and decided I am going to follow deliberate practice methods (10,000 hours and/or 10 years of practice) for this task. I started with 5-minute meditation sessions. I put myself in a comfortable position (but not one I would fall asleep in) and truly listen to the words. I focused on my breathing and let my mind focus on the task at hand. I let thoughts it but didn’t follow them. I stayed focused in the moment at the task in hand for 5 minutes. At the end of each session, when the recording said, “you may open your eyes when you are ready.” I would say to myself, “thank you for today, life is good.” I spoke these words to myself; to remind myself that life has challenges and you may get beat down again and again, but how you react is what truly matters.
I have now worked up to 10-minute sessions and will be in this range for a while. This is a journey within my journey and it will take time. I always tell my clients when working with them that you cannot jump over the river in one jump. You must place stepping stones to get across. It’s not about the end result but the journey within. Small task (steps) will lead to big accomplishments (miles of steps).
-Sean C.
rawrlearning.com 