The first time I tried meditation — I hated it. Looking around, I was the only one in a group of 20 who felt worse after the class. So how did I become an advocate of meditation today? Let me share the quick story of how it began, because if I can do it and reap the benefits, then surely, so can you.
How I started (unsuccessfully)
Similar to people who like the idea of working out (but don’t actually do it), I always liked the idea of being able to meditate. Many authors, CEO’s, athletes, motivational speakers, and mentors I look up to credit meditation as being a key factor in their overall success and happiness.
I tried a few times from home (unsuccessfully), and after not knowing what to think about other than work duties and grocery lists I came to the conclusion that some things aren’t for everyone and gave up.
I put off meditation for the next year, telling myself that I gave it a go, but it just wasn’t for me. Fortunately for me, a page in Tools of the Titans by Tim Ferris, helped changed my outlook on meditation and how I defined what successful meditation would look like so I decided to give it another go.
I’m hoping to have a similar effect for you today.
If you’ve tried and failed, even multiple times — don’t give up. There are some things that are better to save your energy and move on from, meditation, I can assure you is not one of them…
My first meditation class
Somewhere around 2014 when I was leading a team of coaches, consultants, and nutritionists at a higher end health club, the perfect opportunity to finally succeed with meditation arose when we organized a team meditation class to be lead by a qualified instructor in a beautiful little yoga studio.
Not only was it the perfect setting, it felt like the right timing for me.
Due to my reaction to circumstances at work and in my personal life (which there really is no difference– work life and personal life are both part of the same: life…) I was constantly under stress.
My body was not recovering properly from my workouts, and it was like my immune system was no longer existent as I was sick on a near weekly basis. I thought to myself, this is it, this is my time to de-stress, feel better, and succeed with meditation.
Work life and personal life are both part of the same: life.
— Coach
During class, while others were lying down, seemingly in a state of relaxation, I was again focused on upcoming grocery lists and work projects and for a few minutes picturing monkeys in the amazon (I was really into watching planet earth at the time, so this is not an exaggeration).
When we sat cross legged, my hips bothered me, and when we lay down, I would fall asleep for a moment, then cough, sneeze, or twitch and nearly end up kicking the person beside me. I remember being more stressed out as I started to feel like I was ruining other’s Zen by even being in the room.
When the class was over, I remember others talking about how much better and more relaxed they felt– and I could see it; how the meditation had worked so well for them. Since the class didn’t have the same effects for me, I concluded that I had done my part by trying multiple times and that meditation just wasn’t meant for some people.
If you feel like you struggle to slow down, to be more present, and you are being consumed by stress or are that your time is too limited to fit in a meditation session — these are likely the same reasons why making time for meditation is exactly why you will benefit the most from it.
What went wrong
Looking back, there were a few reasons my first attempts at meditating were bound for failure.
First and foremost, similar to many who strive to learn a new skill or develop a new habit, my expectations were unrealistic. If I was to meditate for 30 minutes, I expected 30 minutes of peace, Zen, and clarity– that’s not quite how things work.
Another reason I failed at recognizing the benefits of meditation early on was a simple challenge, often overlooked, but in my eyes, wildly important: I was physically uncomfortable.
For me, sitting cross legged after a few minutes with no support behind me starts to shift my focus from my breathing towards my discomfort. The last reason for my challenges early on that come to mind is the fact I was shallow breathing.
Shallow breathing is something we do all day and oftentimes when we’re under stress. Breathe deep, breathe fully, breathe through your stomach as well as through your diaphragm.
What went right?
Early on in my meditation practice, there was really only two positive things going for me:
I knew why I wanted to make this a habit
I didn’t give up. I kept trying.
If you have the same two driving factors for building any habit you can be successful– especially if you seek out the right strategy as early as possible— man that would have saved me a lot of my efforts…
Closing:
So there it is, now you know the story of how I started my journey of mediation myself.
At the time I wrote this article, I was still early in my practice. Since this time, I’ve been able to make meditation a key part of my morning and evening routine and reap the benefits.
As for the actual tips on how to succeed on meditation, now that you know my struggle with it early on– check out:
5 Tips to Start Meditation or another one you may enjoy on 5 Steps on How to Wake up Early
The time is now. The present moment is all there is as everything we do happens in the now…
Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now