Meditation is referred to as a practice for a reason! It takes time patience, and consistency in order to see the incredible life changing results.
These are the 5 mistakes we recommend avoiding when it comes to meditation...
1. Expecting Immediate Results
We unfortunately live in a world where everyone wants immediate results. And whilst it's true that you WILL see and feel the benefits from meditation immediately the real impact comes from long-term practice. Think of it like working out. You'll feel great after your first exercise session, your endorphins will be flowing... but you won't have the muscle definition you're after from just one session. Meditation is a lot the same, except we are exercising the mind.
Don't expect immediate results. Meditation is a gradual process that takes time, patience, and consistent practice.
2. Getting Distracted
If you get distracted. Acknowledge any thoughts or outside noises that come up and gently guide your attention back to your breath or mantra. It's a common misconception that you must focus in order to meditate. The way in which we teach here at Flow States Collective is to create the best possible conditions for the mind to move into a place of rest, whilst allowing thoughts and other noises to be present in the background.
3. Sitting Too Long
For a lot of people, sitting is an uncomfortable activity. Your hips might be tight, your back achey... So we always encourage our students to sit comfortably. Use 100 pillows if you need to or if it's agony to sit, you can resort to laying down. We want to create ease and comfort in the physical body so we can allow it and the mind to rest, we are't looking to push through discomfort. If you find sitting for 20 minutes uncomfortable, then start with shorter sessions and gradually increase the duration as your body adapts.
4. Forcing Relaxation
Forcing yourself to relax is like being told to 'calm down' when you're in a heightened state mid argument. It's not going to go down well for your nervous system.
Try not to force yourself to relax. Rather create the conditions for relaxation to occur. Focus instead on being present, observing your thoughts and noticing sensations in your body. This will naturally help you let go of tension.
5. Not Consistent
Work on establishing a regular practice, even if it's just a few minutes a day, to experience the full benefits of meditation. This is much easier with the support of an experienced teacher in your corner. Just like anything else you do, the more you do it, the easier it becomes
Take notice of changes that occur in your life when you are not meditating.
Remember, meditation is a journey, not a destination. Be kind to yourself and enjoy the process!
Ready to learn to meditate with passionate and experienced teachers? Check out our Free Your Mind Meditation Course