One of the things that strikes me when I am trying to sustain a regular mindfulness practice is how easy it is to think up reasons why I do not have the time to meditate, or that more important things demand my attention.
When discussing this with participants in my sessions, it is a common confession that they sometimes struggle to find even 5 minutes within a 24 hour period to meditate. It can be easy to fall into this mind-set, especially when you are new to the practice, but experienced practitioners can also find that that they struggle with this at times.
The demands that we put upon ourselves can range from work commitments to house chores. We may tell ourselves that when these are sorted, then we can settle down into some practice. However, as we know, these tasks are rarely if ever complete; there is always more to do.
To help us to counter this tendency it can be helpful to come at our practice with the intention to give ourselves 'permission' to sit. We know that there are things to be done, tasks to be completed, but if we make a conscious decision to dedicate 10, 15, or 20 minutes to our practice, we can put these demands on hold for that period of time.
Part of this change of mind-set is about caring for our own well-being, allowing ourselves the opportunity to nurture ourselves, even if our aim is to simply function more skilfully and productively when we return to our work. But, it can also be a deeper and more significant commitment to our personal development; a commitment to living a wiser and more compassionate life with those around us.
So, when planning a meditation, you may like to try giving yourself permission to sit for that time without the need to consider your mental 'to do' list. Doing so, can help your meditation in a number of ways.
- Putting the 'to do' list aside in this way can lessen their pull on your attention during the practice. When these thoughts (or images) do arise, then you are better equipped to acknowledge them without attachment.
- It helps you to prepare a space which is yours and no one else's, no matter how strong the external demands on your time and effort seem to be. This enables you to bring your full attention to the practice within a protected space.
- By reminding yourself during a meditation that this is protected time and space, this can help you to maintain your practice for the allocated period of time.
It is always good to remember, however, that the whole of our daily life experience can provide opportunity for mindfulness practice, no matter how strong the demands. If you find yourself in a challenging situation, then bring the same commitment and care to your sense of well-being as you would do in sitting practice.
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