While meditation is straightforward, inexpensive, and highly effective, this does not mean it is simple. And, to be candid, it is pretty easy; it is just not what people seem to expect.
When beginners meditate, they face various difficulties, but most of them are minor and fixable. Beginners' complaints are a natural part of the meditation process, ask any practitioners, and they will tell you about their struggles when they first started.
Meditation is effective for anyone who invests the necessary time and effort.
Are any of these obstacles impeding your progress?
1. Your mind is excessively active.
We call this 'Monkey Mind.' It takes practice for the mind to quiet down, and it is rarely silent even after years of practice. It takes approximately 10-20 minutes for experienced meditators to notice the slowing of the chatter in the mind.
Having a monkey mind is not a significant issue. One of the purposes of meditation is to understand how your mind works.
Bring your attention back to your breath.
2. Your mind will roam.
It's not uncommon to awaken from a five-minute daydream. The solution is identical to that for the preceding issue. Bring your attention back to your breath and carry on.
3. Inconsistency.
Daily meditation is required to reap the most significant benefits. Additionally, it must be done daily to achieve a high level of proficiency. You cannot develop mastery in something you do not practise. Practice as much as possible, even for 10 minutes a day. The key is to be consistent!
4. You doze off.
It's difficult to fall asleep with a proper posture. You will almost certainly lose your balance and fall over with the appropriate posture.
Sitting up straight is the optimal position for meditation. If you lie down, you may have difficulty staying awake.
5. Musculoskeletal pains.
Maintaining a single position can be taxing, especially if you're new to meditation. Don't be too concerned with this because your aches and pains will largely subside over time.
It is preferable to maintain a state of stillness. Changing your position will only provide temporary relief, at which point the process will begin again. No matter how much it hurts, the pain will eventually fade away and relocate if you remain still.
Itches are also included in this category. Observe them and leave them alone.
6. Boredom.
Yes, meditation can be tedious, mainly if you're accustomed to a higher level of stimulation. Acquire the ability to remain still and observe your boredom. Boredom can be more fascinating than you believe.
7. Convincing yourself to quit.
"This is a waste of time" is a frequently expressed thought. "How did I get here?" "Is this the extent of your knowledge?" Again, sit and observe your thoughts. Each thought is entirely meaningless.
Acknowledge that what is causing you distress is your discomfort with stillness. You'll soon realize that a great deal of what you do in life is to avoid experiencing this sensation. This includes staring at the television, scrolling on social media and overeating.
8. Timing.
Despite being a common excuse, it is hardly an acceptable one. Add twenty minutes to your night routine and take a seat in the corner of your bedroom. Alternatively, you can wake up twenty minutes earlier. The reality is that with some practice, you can even meditate at your desk or on the bus.
If you had time to watch Netflix, scroll Facebook, or play video games on your phone today, then you had time to meditate.
9. Optimism.
Although perfection is unattainable in meditation, you do not have to be perfect. Make a concerted effort to put in the time. All that is required is from you is to put in your best effort.
10. Managing expectations.
Rarely does meditation result in earth-shattering revelations. Meditation is a gradual process that will help you understand your mind and body over time.
The issues raised above are not, in fact, problems. They are merely misconceptions about what occurs naturally during a meditation session. Persevere and believe that everything is as it should be.