One of the most important things you can do when creating a new habit, is to enlist moral support. By telling people what you want to do, it allows them to help you and encourage you.
We’ve all got them.
All the reasons why we can’t meditate.
We don’t have time.
We’re too tired.
There’s too much to do.
It doesn’t “work” for us.
But what if we could see meditation as a solution, to help us get more done, rather than an obligation that takes up time?
It is said that meditation and prayer are two sides of the same coin.
When Archbishop Desmond Tutu was asked how long he prays every day, it is said he answered:
“I am so busy, if I want to get everything done, I cannot pray for less than 2 hours per day.”
This one stopped me in my tracks.
I’m guessing that, although I feel I’m really busy, someone like Desmond Tutu might be just a teeny bit busier?
And he says he can’t get it all done, without that meditative prayer space?
Time to review my excuses!
The 3 stages of meditation help us see how meditating more could achieve the results implied by Desmond Tutu’s answer.
Relaxation
If we’re tense, we can’t meditate.
Being more physically, mentally and emotionally relaxed helps us think more clearly and – surprise, surprise- get more done.
Concentration
Meditation is about being able to hold our focus on something (or nothing!), while the mind does whatever it likes in the background. That’s how we can come to a place of inner peace, when the world around us is full of noise and busy-ness.
Being focused helps tame our distractable, “grasshopper mind” to pay attention to the present moment. Being aware, concentrating and focusing on what we’re doing dramatically cuts down the time we waste, without realising, every day.
Meditation
The act of meditating brings us back into the present moment.
It helps us connect with our inner wisdom.
It helps us release attachments and dissolve denial, so we can see the Truth of a situation, rather than our projection.
It gets us back in flow with our Higher energies and helps life unfold before us, with less effort and less pain.
Easy to see how this could help us get more “done” with less “doing”.
So I’m off to practice “being” for a while, whilst this message settles for me.
Then I’ll see how much more I achieve today!
You don't have to turn your legs into a pretzel, to be able to meditate
What are your favourite meditation excuses?
How could you perhaps find the time to slot in a little more space to “be” today?
What would it take for you to make that commitment to yourself?
Is there support you need? Who might you ask for help?
