We’re taught that the more we do, the more we’ll have. The presumption is that possessing more will bring us pleasure and happiness, even if we all know this isn’t always the case.
There is a constant focus in our culture, both individually and collectively, on going forward, doing more, becoming more, having more, and ultimately, being busier.
Meditation is filled with moments of success
A monk named Gelong Thubten gave the advise. He had several realisations after spending years secluded on a Scottish island focused solely on awareness. His meditation advise is straightforward: realising that your mind have wandered is a moment of triumph, not failure.
While there are many various ways to meditate, they all have the same purpose in mind: to calm the mind and achieve inner stillness. We want to get beyond the surface and let go of the small thoughts that disturb us during the day. When our minds wander, however, we are dissatisfied, feel worse, and eventually give it up. After all, the thinking mind is addictive, with hard-to-break habits.
If you struggle with meditation you aren’t alone
According to a number of studies, most people find sitting still for even short periods of time uncomfortable. According to one study, most respondents found it difficult to spend merely 6–15 minutes alone in a room with no distractions. The discomfort was so intense that many people shocked themselves to relieve boredom. During a brief period of time, one man shocked himself 109 times.
Personally, I’ve always found meditation difficult, preferring laughter over attention (something I still view as an essential tool). However, I’ve recently rediscovered meditation. One piece of advice considerably influenced the outcome.
