Recently, a few people have asked me about my meditation
practice. How and when I got started? How long did it take to start
feeling the benefits? How much time do I dedicate? How do I keep my mind
from wandering? I never feel like I can fully answer these questions
because even though I started meditating regularly about 8 years ago, I feel
like I still am just getting started. There is so much more to meditating
then I could ever explain in any amount of words. This practice has
fulfilled me in ways that has created an essentially magnificent transformation
internally and a sweet and softer existence externally.
I wanted to dedicate some space here to offer somewhat of an
answer to these questions since I have been asked. I would love if my
experience had even the smallest bit of impact on someone else’s. My teachers have given me so much and spreading that light is so
important to me.
When did you begin mediating?
As I’ve said, I began meditating about 8 years ago. It
began sporadically and then became more of a regular daily practice. I
would go through waves of consistent practice but would certainly fall into the
excuses of not having enough time. Recently, the change I have made is
that it is no longer negotiable when it comes to time, and it is not an
obligation but rather part of my existence. Without a daily practice I
move further away from my Self and entangled in the ever existent web of maya. I think it is important to not put too much stress into the beginning or the end, but rather the fact that any effort does not go to waste. I recommend starting small, being consistent, and allowing yourself to allow the practice to be set with intention.
How long did it take for you to see the benefits?
Unfortunately, for me when I began meditating it was not a
good experience. I wish I could say something differently here. I
have at times debilitating anxiety and when I first started meditating it would
only increase my anxiety. I would have very intense panic attacks throughout
my meditation only to be interrupted by tears and “why me” statements. A
steady practice over time broke the constriction of my anxiety and I began to
relax into the process. So I could never answer this question with a
statement that would make someone want to begin meditating. What I would
offer is that all of our experiences are different, and what is mine, may not
be yours. I believe that even when it does not feel necessarily good the benefits should still be considered. But rather, what acknowledgements are being brought to the surface and what are you to with them.
How much time do you dedicate?
How much time I dedicate now is certainly different from
when I started. When I began I would try to meditate at least 20 min a
day. I never set a schedule as to when this would happen and I would
always fall into the reality that it got pushed out for the “more important”
things. Changing this mindset was the most important change I have made
to my practice thus far.
Every morning I wake up at 5am to begin my
meditation. First I complete japa meditation for about 30-40 min (usually
about 4 rounds on the beads) and then I read part of sacred texts (right now
the Bhagavad Gita) to begin a quiet sitting meditation. I use the text as my tool for when my mind wanders. When it wanders I pull it back to the verse(s) that I read to focus my intentions for the day.
Does your mind wander?
When it comes to answering the question regarding, how do I
keep my mind from wandering, the answer is that I don’t. I am more
accepting now to this process than ever before. Your mind will wander and
this is okay. Being able to bring it back is the practice. The more
you practice the easier this becomes. Some days it is easy, some not so
much. I do find that mantra and intentions are very instrumental in
cultivating focus.
I hope this is helpful to those that have asked and to those
that are interested in a meditation practice. If I can offer any advice
to this practice is that becomes a joyful constant rather than an obligation
and that you hold it closely as entirely yours.
