Common Meditation Challenges
Everyone knows the benefits of meditation. Reduced stress, clear mind and calm overall wellbeing are the primary benefits. But to actually get quiet and sit in a dark room or a get up early in the morning is a difficult task. I will present two challenges of meditation and I will also outline solutions to these obstacles.
Empty Mind
One of the first steps to an effective meditation session is to begin with an empty mind. I don't know about you, but the first moment I try to “empty” my mind, my brain begins to flood with thoughts of any and everything. It is almost like that first step is a joke. Initially, I have great intentions and the lights are low and the candles are lit. Unfortunately, before I can count to five, I am making grocery shopping lists, planning my son's birthday and reworking arguments that I had with my husband earlier in the day. The clearing out process seems impossible.
However, believe it or not, there is a solution to this problem. Or better, a workaround. You as a new member to the meditation circle should first and foremost understand that a lot of people, if not all people, experience this type of struggle at the beginning.
The key to overcoming this specific challenge is to know that if you stick with daily meditation (or weekly, or monthly), you will find that this task of removing thoughts gets easier over time. Just dont worry about the fact that your mind wanders. When you drift off to chaos, try to bring yourself back to the quiet empty and stay there for as long as possible, even if it it just one second. Keep practicing and the time spent with an empty mind will grow longer and longer.
Finding Time
Another obstacle to meditating is finding the time to get quiet. Everyone is busy nowadays. We all have work or school. Many people have the daily responsibility of taking care of children, elders and pets. These responsibilities often leave us feeling tired and when there is a moment in our day in which we can meditate, we often opt to instead relax and watch television, read books or do something else that we consider low energy but restful.
The best solution to this problem is knowledge. Once we realize that meditating is not a chore, but it is in fact a type of relaxation, we will find more time in our day to incorporate the practice. We are not Monks living in the Himalayas. There is no need to dedicate more than a few minutes a day toward meditation to reap ultimate benefits. Once we accept this, it will be easier to both enjoy our hobbies and to also find a few minutes a day to get quiet and let our brains rest in our waking hours.
Do you personally meditate? What are some challenges that you face? Please leave a comment and share your story.
