Last night there was a great turnout for an introduction to VISUALISATION meditation techniques, as part of a Exploring Meditation Series I am running. Before the session, I covered a few things to keep in mind when you embark on your meditation journey. Even after years of practice, it often still pays to come back to these little guidelines when you get stuck!
I’ve outlined these four tips for meditation below, I hope you find them useful and if so, please feel free to share with anyone who might be starting their own journey!
No Outcome
Meditation is a state of a relaxed mind, or no-mind. If we go into a meditation session, or our meditation journey as a whole with a result-based mindset, we are always looking for a certain outcome. Having goals like this is common with our modern way of thinking – we do it with our jobs, our hobbies or our sports. However, this is hugely counter-productive in meditation! Meditation itself cannot happen when the mind is active and we are looking for an outcome. Expect nothing and only then can the shifts begin to take place!
Learn to Love the Lapses
When our mind is clear, our awareness can be heightened dramatically. However, there are always times in our practice (often it feels like it might be the whole time!) when we “get lost” – when we lose awareness and thoughts take over. It might be what is happening later that day, something hanging over your head from work, or a relationship issue. Often when awareness “returns” and we realise that we were drifting away, we have a certain judgment for the lapse. Love the lapse! Sure, full clarity and awareness is beautiful, but when we lapse, we have the opportunity to come back. Like the fluctuation between night and day, a never-ending state of awareness is not realistic, so we learn to appreciate all states. Don’t judge yourself when thoughts come in and take over for a few moments!
Be Patient
There are many methods of meditation. However, one common thread to all of them is patience. Whether we are looking at an individual session on the mat, or our practice in general, we need to watch out for impatience. Can we cultivate a dedication to our practice – meaning that we create the time for meditation regularly – without struggling within each session if we don’t “get where we want to be” quick enough? Committing to meditation is enough – you have started the journey. Now, having patience can be your most powerful ally.
Be Playful
When I look around today, all things meditation seem to be something serious! It is either pitched as a way to fix a problem (your busy mind, stress, etc), or something for the serious, intellectual person. This is conditioning and it’s ridiculous! On the contrary, with meditation comes relaxation and with relaxation in life, we can see things with a less serious face.
Through meditation, many “problems” that we come across can lose their grip on us. We become more chilled. Without any conscious effort, this allows a playfulness to emerge and we get to enjoy more of life each day. So, in both your day to day practice as well as on your meditation journey as a whole, let yourself relax. Let there be a playfulness and see where you can encourage this.
There is enough seriousness out there already, let’s allow meditation to lighten things up!
If you would like to come check out my Exploring Meditation Series, these are happening monthly at Workshop 3101 in Kew, VIC as well as possibly some other locations. These are free events!
For more info email me at: john@johntmarsh.com.
