Is Meditation a Waste of Time?
Especially when you’re busy?
If you’re used to being busy all the time, sitting still and focusing on your breath, a mantra or a candle flame can seem like a waste of time.
But is meditation really a waste of time?
At First, Meditation Can Seem Like a Waste of Time
When I first started meditating, my mind was often filled with a list of things that I could or should be doing instead.
I wondered why I was sitting down, doing nothing, and wasting time.
Then, guilty feelings came up.
Sometimes my mind was so overrun with thoughts, it was difficult to focus on my breath for more than one breath!
But When You Continue to Meditate, Things Start to Change
However, as I continued to practice meditation most days despite all the obstacles, I began to feel calmer while I was meditating.
I started to find it easier to let my thoughts go. I didn’t take them as seriously as I used to. I realized they were just thoughts that come and go. They may or may not be helpful.
At the same time, I found that I could concentrate on my breathing, my mantra or the candle for a bit longer — perhaps 5 to 10 breaths.
The Benefits of Meditation in the Rest of Your Life
Then, I noticed the benefits in the rest of my life. I was able to concentrate on my work better and I became much more productive.
In conversations, I could listen to what the other person was actually saying, rather than getting distracted by my own thoughts while the other person was talking.
I didn’t react as quickly as I used to in difficult or stressful situations. I would either take a few moments to breathe and then respond calmly or I would walk away.
Meditation Increases Productivity
I still have times when I think, “I’m too busy to meditate today. I need to start work straight away because I’ve got so much to get through.”
If I give in to this thought and start work immediately, I often feel that I’m pushing myself to work and dragging myself through the day.
By contrast, when I meditate first, work seems less of an effort and my self-defeating thoughts have less power over me.
Make Meditation a Priority in Your Life
Mahatma Gandhi said:
“I have so much to accomplish today that I must meditate for two hours, instead of one.”
He definitely knew that the way to leading a successful life is meditation first, followed by work second!
