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| Image: Flickr User Last Zolex |
I actually meditated every single day this week! Here are a few things that I noticed:
1. Since I’m new at this and easily distracted, it’s easier if I face the wall. That way when I can’t stand it any longer and I have to peek, all I will see is a white wall. If I peek and see something shiny or colorful … it takes a lot longer to recover and go back to my meditation.
2. Five minutes is a really REALLY long time sometimes–like when you’re 5 years old or learning to meditate. Just think of all the precious five-minute spans I waste staring into a computer screen every day… It’s kind of appalling.
3. I have felt happier this week than I’ve felt in a long time. I don’t know if it’s the placebo effect or what (I’ve been reading a lot about the magical benefits of daily meditation lately… but five minutes a day for a week hardly seems like long enough), but I’ve decided not to question it.
Next week, I’m meditating for eight minutes daily. My goal isn’t to sit for long spans of time, but instead to notice the impact of a daily seated practice. However, it seems like five minutes is just long enough for me to get settled.
If you meditate, how long do you sit? Is your goal to sit longer?
I sit somewhere between 15 – 20 minutes and I use my mala of 108. I find if my mind is restless or I'm feeling coldy I use tratak meditation gazing at a candle flame.
Ok, I think it's funny you to sit facing the wall, like you're in time out or something ♥
When I meditate I just sit for however long it takes I guess. On really "off" days I call it good after 5 minutes. 5 is kind of my bare minimum… on average I sit for around 20 minutes… and on fabulous days I go 30+ minutes. I usually look at a clock after the fact out of curiosity of how long I sat. But I definitely think that 5 minutes is the perfect amount of time for beginners.
I like to sit facing my altar – like I can kinda "feel" Ganesha sitting there staring back at me… like he's gonna disapprove if I peek.
Good for you! I, too am a beginner, so I've been following Harshada on yoga glo.
I also am a beginner and I tried too quickly to up my time to 15 minutes and then I found I was really stressing over it–sort of defeats the purpose, so I'm back to doing 5 minutes each and every morning and for the moment that seems to be working well. Oh, I love the frog on this post!
I started the One-Moment Meditation Program this week and am with you in not knowing if it's a placebo effect or if I'm really that much happier (and I'm only doing a minute a day!).
Once I'm done with the program, I'm going to start shooting for 5 minutes a day.
This post made me smile! I sit for 10 minutes, kind of a beginner too. Sometimes it flies, sometimes I it can be long. I couldn't imagine it would be so hard to quiet my loud monkey mind, but when I do.. its bliss!
I can so relate to this post! 5 minutes can feel like a lifetime some times! I usually try to sit for at least ten, but it varies for a variety of factors.
"Just think of all the precious five-minute spans I waste staring into a computer screen every day… It's kind of appalling." I'm with you on that one. It's a little horrifying. In the last week, I've started trying to turn off my cell and computer at 8 to attempt to wind down. Some days I do fine at that and sometimes I cheat (embarrassing, but true).
I read a book last year called Eight Minute Meditation: Quiet Your Mind. Change Your Life by Victor N. Davich. I found it pretty helpful. I've recently upped it to 10 minutes.
Just sitting, zazen-style, I find 10+ minutes to be hard to do, though it feels fantastic afterwards. Each time my thoughts wander, I say to myself, "Thinking!" and have a laugh, and find that noticing that it's funny rather than Bad makes it easier. Still, it's the hardest form of meditation for me.
Guided meditations I get really into. Following someone's voice or sound effects is easy for me, so I can go as long as the meditation goes. I once attended a Qi Gong meditation with a friend. The guided meditation was 45 minutes, and I was really into it; my friend said it drove her nuts!
The Kundalini Yoga meditations I've done have been somewhere in between these. I launched into Kirtan Kriya for 40 days after not having meditated for about 3 years. 31 minutes at a stretch found my mind wandering at times, but the mantra + visualisation kept me anchored, and within a week, I was forgetting to think about time.
Problem was, once I'd done the 40 days, I fell off the wagon – it seems I need to set myself a programme of definite periods of meditation, or I let it slide. That's the biggie for me: Set the intention and make the first step. Once committed to a definite cycle of practice, I'm fine, and I need a follow-up cycle in place immediately.
Wonder what that resistance to a flowing, indefinite practice is?
I am experiencing meditation in my Yoga & Meditation class and I love it! I am calmer and happier, less reactive and enjoying a new rhythm. I started doing yoga 8 months ago and meditation 1 month ago. My teachers have different styles of meditation; sometimes it's breath focused , sometimes guided and thought provoking. The results from these forms of self-care are wonderful. I'm hooked!
Good for you! It's really amazing what a few minutes of getting quiet and still will do for you. I find I'm less reactive and able to be a bit clearer with my decisions, intentions, and goals. Good luck at eight minutes 🙂
I've been meditating for 20 minutes in the morning for several months now. I like to do it before anyone else is awake (usually around 5:30 am). I play a Tibetan singing bowls CD and a burning candle provides the only light in the room. I use a meditation bench (so comfortable) and a meditation cloak on these chilly winter mornings. It's a wonderful way to start the day….
I've been trying not to focus so much on the time and instead just sit and meditate until I feel it is time to come out. Some days I only make it four minutes, some days I've gone as long as 25 minutes.
I have noticed an increased happiness too since I started my daily practice.