Meditation and Mindfulness Are Not as Simple as They May Seem in Theory

Underestimating the substantial mental energy and effort needed could lead to disappointment and potentially quitting these valuable practices.

Meditative and mindfulness practices are the path to peace, mental clarity, and cognitive performance, which are surely appealing. Theoretically, it is as straightforward as sitting quietly and closing our eyes, but the reality can be more like trying to lift a super heavyweight or facing extreme cold without the right gear when you have never done it before.

Much like someone unfamiliar with weightlifting or cold weather needs time to adapt, beginners in meditation may encounter initial challenges. These obstacles are entirely normal and shouldn’t discourage newcomers from working towards their goals.

But here’s the fascinating part: just as we can adjust to the cold and conquer heavy weights with patience and practice, meditation can become a potent tool for strengthening our mental resilience, sharpening the thinking brain, and taming the limbic system (emotional part).

Meditation doesn’t promise instant results, but it offers a path of gradual progress, helping us fortify our minds and discover inner peace. Those initial challenges are like stepping stones on the way to a calmer, clearer, and more resilient body and mind.

So, if your mind tends to wander and you feel uneasy or uncomfortable, please don’t be disheartened. Your journey toward mental clarity and serenity is worth your time and effort for many good reasons.

Meditation goes beyond being a mental exercise. It profoundly affects our physical brains. As I have pointed out previously, meditation has the remarkable capability to reshape the structure of the brain and continually influence its chemistry with significant empirical evidence, as I documented in the attached story.

In essence, the key to successful meditation lies in understanding that, similar to physical workouts, it requires time, patience, and the capacity to adapt to the chemical and structural changes happening within the brain and the nervous system.

So, where do we start as beginners?

Well, let’s begin by setting some realistic expectations. Think of meditation as a skill, like learning to play an instrument or hitting the gym.

You wouldn’t expect to play a symphony on your first day of learning the piano, right? Similarly, we cannot anticipate immediate tranquility when we start meditating. It’s like expecting an untrained body to lift heavy weights effortlessly.

I remember when I began my meditation journey decades ago. I took it slow and steady. I started with short, manageable sessions, just a few minutes daily.

It was like starting with the smallest weights at the gym and gradually progressing to heavier ones. With each session, I felt my mind becoming more resilient, just like my muscles with consistent workouts.

Now, I can meditate three times daily, at least 20 minutes for each session. Sometimes, I can do up to three hours during weekends or holidays, taking me to an altered state of mind.

Apart from the usual quiet place of meditating by sitting on the floor, I can meditate while standing up, walking, swimming, planking, or lying down. But these are for advanced meditators and are not recommended for beginners. It took me thousands of hours to achieve these goals.

Creating the right environment is crucial for beginners. In the beginning, I found a quiet, comfortable place to meditate, free from distractions. It was my sanctuary, where I could focus and find peace. Imagine it as our own private gym for the mind.

Mindfulness is at the heart of meditation. Therefore, I embraced it fully. Techniques like observing my breath or body sensations became my anchors to allow thoughts to come and go. They helped me stay rooted in the present moment, just like how the beat of a metronome guides a musician.

Naturally, in the beginning, my mind wandered quite a bit, and I often felt a tad uncomfortable. Even now, my mind tends to wander at times.

But here’s the crucial point: it is entirely normal. We can’t completely halt our thoughts, contrary to some myths. However, what we can do is intentionally manage our thoughts and minimize their impact on our body and mind, which lies at the heart of meditation and makes it so valuable.

Even Zen masters, like my friend Brendon, experience clouds of thoughts during meditation. The distinction lies in their ability to skillfully manage those thoughts, gently releasing them as they redirect their focus to their breath, bodily sensations, and mantras.

Instead of feeling frustrated and considering giving up during those initial moments, I viewed the wandering mind as an opportunity. Every time my thoughts veered off course, I used it as a chance to gently steer them back to my chosen focal point of meditation, which strengthened my neo-cortex.

When my mind wandered during meditation, I had a unique approach. I pictured my practice like a lost traveler, gently finding their way back home. It was a kind and compassionate perspective as if I were helping a lost friend. This mindset helped me recenter and continue with my meditation.

Additionally, I discovered the importance of understanding the brain’s default network, as I explained in a previous story, within the focus and attention context.

Awareness of the default network is like a hidden key that unlocks creativity and reduces cognitive load or mental burden. Just as a map helps a traveler navigate, knowledge of our brain’s inner workings can guide us to a more creative and mentally efficient state.

The meditative state of relaxed attention, activating the default mode network, allows the brain to make novel connections, generate creative insights, enhance intuition, and solve problems more effectively.

One key takeaway is that I didn’t start this journey in solitude. Meditation, although personal, became richer when I sought guidance from experienced practitioners or joined a meditation group.

Working with others was like adding a new layer to my practice, filled with support, insights, and motivation. It is akin to having personal trainers at the gym, guiding us as we put in the personal effort to reach new heights together.

I adore group meditations by the beach, where the soothing sounds of the waves function like a metronome, gently slowing down our brain waves.

Concluding Remarks

No matter where you are on your meditation journey, whether you are just beginning or have been practicing for years, it is a path filled with continuous lessons and endless discoveries.

Meditation is a lifelong learning process for the brain and the mind, without a fixed destination but with boundless potential for growth and insight.

Meditation and mindfulness are like regular workouts for the mind. By approaching them with the right mindset and a sprinkle of patience, we can build mental strength, clarity, and inner peace.

It’s important to recognize and accept that just as physical exercise transforms the body, meditation, and mindfulness have the power to reshape and refine the mind.

Through consistent practice, we unlock the incredible benefits these techniques offer. From less stress and clearer thinking to heightened focus and improved memory, the rewards gradually reveal themselves. It’s a journey of self-discovery and growth.

So, let’s approach our meditative and mindfulness practices with patience and persistence, and soon, those once-daunting mental weights and frustrations will feel lighter and more manageable.

Meditation is one of the ten ignored and tiny habits that have a big impact on my health, happiness, and life satisfaction. I hope you benefit from it, too. Just like with meditation, adapting to cold showers took me a while. Just as our thoughts never cease, our bodies don’t quickly acclimate to cold exposure to maintain homeostasis.

Naturally, demanding practices such as meditation, cold showers, fasting, and intense workouts aren’t suitable for everyone, especially those with underlying health conditions. In such cases, it’s crucial to seek guidance and support from qualified healthcare professionals.

Thank you for reading my perspectives. I wish you a healthy and happy life.

To inform my new readers, I wrote numerous articles that might inform and inspire you. My topics include brain and cognitive function, significant health conditions, valuable nutrients, ketogenic lifestyle, self-healing, weight management, writing/reading, and humor. 100+ Insightful Life Lessons from My Circles for the Last 50+ Years

I publish my health and wellness stories on EUPHORIA. My posts do not include professional or health advice. I only document my reviews, observations, experiences, and perspectives to provide information and create awareness. Be Your Own Therapist in 10 Steps.

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