Mindful Monday: 'I can't meditate with lots of thoughts' It's NOT true.

Mindful Monday: 'I can't meditate with lots of thoughts'  It's NOT true.

The most common comments I hear from people about meditation are....

"I can't meditate because I have way too many thoughts."
And the one I used many times when I first started...
"I can't meditate this week because I am too stressed out."

These are not true.  

If these were true - I wouldn't be meditating.

Because when I first started, my mind was going a hundred miles an hour and I was the poster girl for stress.

The idea of meditation can seem intimidating.  It did for me at first. 

When I began, I had the belief I had to be peaceful, calm and sooo spiritual.  Not true! 

Believe me, if I can do it, you can do it too.

The goal of meditation is not to get rid of thoughts.  Thoughts are natural.

If you have a busy mind, and have the idea that when you close your eyes to meditate your thoughts should instantly vanish - it's not realistic. 

I remember telling my teacher I thought meditation was ruining my life (I was very dramatic. Ha!) and I had way more thoughts than when I started.  My teacher looked at me very calmly and said "Diane you don't have more thoughts, you are simply becoming aware of how many thoughts you have always had.  This is progress."

Meditation is a skill.  Like any skill you have developed - it takes time.

So this week try it.  Meditate.

Choose the amount of time that works for you. 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes.

If you have a really busy meditation - beautiful. It's all good.  You are clearing stress!

Or if during a 20-minute meditation you only take one mindful breath...Celebrate!  This is huge. 

Happy meditating!

Diane