subject: Tips For Successful Meditation [print this page] At times we can find meditation difficult and experience it as stressful instead of relaxing. This article is a guide to help those who sometimes struggle with meditation and aims to give pointers to help make the practice more of a pleasure than a pain.
Start with one step at a time. If your a beginner build your practice up slowly over time. Don't try and sit for long periods straight away but increase your sitting in small steps, try adding a few minutes each time.
Try and sit with the right attitude. If your forcing yourself to do it and you hold a lot of resistance your going to find it very difficult and become irritable. Perhaps consider why you want to meditate and what the benefits are before you sit. When you feel inspired then sitting will be easier.
Do not hold expectations about the results you think you may or should achieve. You will become frustrated if they do not seem to be coming and your frustration will disturb the meditation. Try not to use meditation as a tool to get something but more as a way of allowing things to fall away.
Movement made towards a future state will be a movement away from the present moment. The present moment holds our hearts desires, it's now or never.
Be present to what is without judging it good or bad.
Be willing to embrace whatever arises during the practice. Whatever arises is perfect as it is, it's the way it's supposed to be, because it is happening now.
Stop trying to manipulate the moment to be how you think it should be. Relax into what is happening now, whether you would normally consider it good or bad, right or wrong. Allow emotions, thoughts and sensations to be as they are, do not try and change them. Give up control and let what is be as it is.
Your meditation will be come easier if you can keep a wakeful state of mind throughout the day and give yourself a few minutes every hour to practice as you do your daily tasks.
I hope you have found this article useful and your meditation practice is easier as a result.
