Don’t Worry! Just Practice!
Periodically, take time to review your practice. Note what works for you and what doesn’t. But remember, it’s not about judging what is happening, but simply noticing what works and what doesn’t and what your personal preferences are.
If you don’t like something, you’re not going to want to do it. On the other hand, if something speaks to you, or you notice positive outcomes as a result of doing it, you are going to look forward to your practice and you’ll readily consider it time well spent.
Observe subtle differences or changes in you that may become more pronounced as time goes by. You may notice that you are less reactive about things. Buttons don’t get pushed as hard or as often, and if they do, you quickly notice what is happening and may realize it’s not worth your time or energy.
Maybe you might find you are smiling more – and enjoying the simple things in life more frequently. You might find that you are kinder, willing to help others more quickly, and you might be moved in ways you didn’t notice before. You may be more sensitive to those around you and whatever may be affecting them as well. You might become more empathic.
In fact, you might be aware of details in a way that you previously hadn’t been. You might notice the individual beauty of certain plants, and vibrant colors around you, a beautiful cloud formation, a particular bird in your garden. You might even notice that animals you encounter on a walk may come closer to you, or approach you, or not run away frightened. You may just find yourself being more AWARE, more present, in the moment – or mindful. Enjoy all these moments, for they truly are gifts of the practice.
As you review your practice, make whatever adjustments are necessary – maybe changing the time of day you originally designated for meditation because it might not be working as well as you thought it would – or changing the place where you do it. Experiment with spending less time with the breath awareness exercises, and increasing the time spent with the mantra – or in the time you spend in quiet. For each person a different formula will work better. Just be willing to make the changes necessary to make everything more meaningful to you, even if it means you only stick with one thing.
Over the years I’ve made many changes to my practice – from where I sit to what techniques I use. At least a couple of times a year I may morph in different directions, which comes from an inner prompting of my spirit. Overall, everything has become much simpler for me. Less is truly more.
However, I also followed certain practices without any changes for years as they were taught to me in various traditions. I felt that was important for me, and that is why I am sharing with you what I learned so you don’t have to go through years of digesting a lot of information and investing the little time you may have trying to figure it all out.
Simply review the practice from time to time and make whatever adjustments are needed. Remember your practice is not good or bad. It simply IS! It is YOUR practice, so make it your own. And enjoy it! If you aren’t enjoying it, it means it isn’t working for you as it is.
Reflection/Journaling Questions:
What are you enjoying the most in your practice right now? What technique speaks to you the most and why?
Is there anything you already adjusted? How is that adjustment working for you?
NEXT
Periodically, take time to review your practice. Note what works for you and what doesn’t. But remember, it’s not about judging what is happening, but simply noticing what works and what doesn’t and what your personal preferences are.
If you don’t like something, you’re not going to want to do it. On the other hand, if something speaks to you, or you notice positive outcomes as a result of doing it, you are going to look forward to your practice and you’ll readily consider it time well spent.
Observe subtle differences or changes in you that may become more pronounced as time goes by. You may notice that you are less reactive about things. Buttons don’t get pushed as hard or as often, and if they do, you quickly notice what is happening and may realize it’s not worth your time or energy.
Maybe you might find you are smiling more – and enjoying the simple things in life more frequently. You might find that you are kinder, willing to help others more quickly, and you might be moved in ways you didn’t notice before. You may be more sensitive to those around you and whatever may be affecting them as well. You might become more empathic.
In fact, you might be aware of details in a way that you previously hadn’t been. You might notice the individual beauty of certain plants, and vibrant colors around you, a beautiful cloud formation, a particular bird in your garden. You might even notice that animals you encounter on a walk may come closer to you, or approach you, or not run away frightened. You may just find yourself being more AWARE, more present, in the moment – or mindful. Enjoy all these moments, for they truly are gifts of the practice.
As you review your practice, make whatever adjustments are necessary – maybe changing the time of day you originally designated for meditation because it might not be working as well as you thought it would – or changing the place where you do it. Experiment with spending less time with the breath awareness exercises, and increasing the time spent with the mantra – or in the time you spend in quiet. For each person a different formula will work better. Just be willing to make the changes necessary to make everything more meaningful to you, even if it means you only stick with one thing.
Over the years I’ve made many changes to my practice – from where I sit to what techniques I use. At least a couple of times a year I may morph in different directions, which comes from an inner prompting of my spirit. Overall, everything has become much simpler for me. Less is truly more.
However, I also followed certain practices without any changes for years as they were taught to me in various traditions. I felt that was important for me, and that is why I am sharing with you what I learned so you don’t have to go through years of digesting a lot of information and investing the little time you may have trying to figure it all out.
Simply review the practice from time to time and make whatever adjustments are needed. Remember your practice is not good or bad. It simply IS! It is YOUR practice, so make it your own. And enjoy it! If you aren’t enjoying it, it means it isn’t working for you as it is.
Reflection/Journaling Questions:
What are you enjoying the most in your practice right now? What technique speaks to you the most and why?
Is there anything you already adjusted? How is that adjustment working for you?
NEXT