I struggled with meditation forever.
Part of the practice for me is actually noticing the discomfort or whatever else is going on -- the traffic outside, the garbage truck, the bills on the desk, etc. -- and letting them EXIST, not letting them "go" exactly. It is beyond hard for me, but it is a powerful practice when I do it. {seventeen Yes, that is a big stack of bills and work over there. Well spotted! sixteen}
Try the activity below and let me know if it works or helps at all. I found my way into meditation through this little numbers game, and I still use it to center myself when I'm getting scattered or anxious:
This worked for me, and I like to use it when I have to be present for the activity (a board meeting, a court hearing that I can't stand, etc.) but not participating (listening and not falling asleep). Caveat: I did once start a sentence with "seven," but that was only one time and I was pretty deep in the headspace, having been in it for over an hour in a court hearing while I listened to lies about me as a bad parent and was supposed to not crack so much as an expression. It's not a BIG danger, but it could happen. :)
Best of luck with the practice!
If you make one intentionally positive action today, every day, you won't believe the beauty that your world will be in a year.
Part of the practice for me is actually noticing the discomfort or whatever else is going on -- the traffic outside, the garbage truck, the bills on the desk, etc. -- and letting them EXIST, not letting them "go" exactly. It is beyond hard for me, but it is a powerful practice when I do it. {seventeen Yes, that is a big stack of bills and work over there. Well spotted! sixteen}
Try the activity below and let me know if it works or helps at all. I found my way into meditation through this little numbers game, and I still use it to center myself when I'm getting scattered or anxious:
- Sit or lie comfortably, or as comfortably as you can for whatever is going on.
- Lower your shoulders.
- Be aware of your breathing.
- Count backward from 20, with a breath on each number if it makes sense to do so -- when I'm in the board room, it's sometimes difficult to get this to line up at the beginning, but it frequently happens once I think of it and then forget about it again.
- If you lose your spot in the count, it doesn't matter; pick up with the last number you remember.
- Lower your shoulders whenever you think of it, if you think of it again.
- Be as comfortable as you want, physically -- I do small adjustments and never worry about it.
- Count to Zero.
- If you get to zero and still have time for more, start over. :)
This worked for me, and I like to use it when I have to be present for the activity (a board meeting, a court hearing that I can't stand, etc.) but not participating (listening and not falling asleep). Caveat: I did once start a sentence with "seven," but that was only one time and I was pretty deep in the headspace, having been in it for over an hour in a court hearing while I listened to lies about me as a bad parent and was supposed to not crack so much as an expression. It's not a BIG danger, but it could happen. :)
Best of luck with the practice!
If you make one intentionally positive action today, every day, you won't believe the beauty that your world will be in a year.
