How to Develop a Sustainable Meditation Practice

Greetings,

Welcome to the Develop a Sustainable Meditation Practice course.

For over a decade I have been counseling people on their meditation practice and I have heard the same difficulties expressed again and again. "I have no time. I am not 'good' at meditation. It doesn't work for me." Etc. Etc. And because I try to practice meditation myself every day, I KNOW...it is not easy!

However, if we know what to expect, and we anticipate the things that usually confuse and discourage, then we can rise above them and be successful at a practice that makes a profound and positive difference in our lives.

I designed this course to encourage you in three ways.

1. Help you to get clear about why you are practicing meditation.

2. Teach you to feel confident in what you are doing while you are sitting.

3. Inspire you to dig in deep to a dedicated daily meditation. 

Daily deposits

The most important thing to remember about developing a sustainable meditation practice is that, just like growing a solid bank account, regular deposits are essential. We can’t expect to have the security of savings there when we need it if we don’t put in some effort on a regular basis. The same is true for meditation. Even the littlest bit, 5 minutes per day, adds up to be a significant investment in your future ability to stay calm when stressors arrive in life. A small daily deposit grows a big nest egg of self-awareness and self-control over time.

The best antidote for anxiety 

We live in a particularly challenging time of external stress. The rapidity of our world contributes to our inner anxiety and meditation is the best antidote for this, and it is FREE! Through daily sitting, we literally train our brains to be calmer and less reactive to people and situations around us. This in turn develops empathy and compassion in our hearts, for our own struggles and those of others, a necessary perspective to hold in our interconnected world.

Be gentle with yourself

As you begin developing your regular practice, it is normal to have ups and downs, times when you feel inspired and times when you feel discouraged. Keep going!! This is essential. It is in the very moments of resistance to practice, that when you do practice, you build the muscle that will keep you coming back. Like working out in the gym, we all need resistance to get stronger and grow. It is part of the process.

It is helpful to pick a time in your day that makes sense for your schedule and to stay consistent to that. However, don’t miss a practice if you have to do it at a different time than usual. It is okay to be flexible. Also pick a reasonable amount of time to begin with and commit to that, but don’t be surprised if pretty soon, you just want to sit longer!

Relax and enjoy

This might be the most important tip of all, because it is actually through deep rest that amazing new things can grow. Meditation is your time to let the mind and body relax and enjoy a respite of stillness from the busy outer world. Yes, utilize the techniques offered, to help focus the mind and quiet the body, but don’t forget to just relax and enjoy yourself. Meditation is fun!

Enjoy the video practice and I wish you lots of success in developing your personal, sustainable meditation today and every day from here on out!

Namaste,

Jennie Lee