Good morning, fellow meditators,
Today I'd like to mention patience in practice.
My reason is that I just received an email from a member of another meditation group I'm involved with.
She has recently joined that group, and she's really struggling with the problem that little seems to have changed for her since starting to practice.
I haven't heard this expressed by any meditators here, but generally speaking it can be a source of frustration. Meditation seems to offer a means of escape from some of your stresses and strains, and ultimately it will, but not quickly, unfortunately.
At first glance, and especially if you've seen those pictures of elegant women perched happily and peacefully on top of a meditation cushion in the Lotus position, it's easy to be tempted into thinking you can achieve the same.
The first thing to say is that meditation has been over-promoted as a quick cure for all our ills, and that secondly, not many of us are going to be able to dress up in a pink yoga outfit and get into the Lotus position. Fine for those people who have been practising yoga from an early age, but not necessary and really not all that desirable either.
Meditation is 10% reward and 90% hard slog. I can really only tell you that the reward is out there. But it comes to you in tiny gains, every so often, until it builds into something that will enhance your life remarkably. So stick with it if you possibly can. I promise the reward will grow, as you continue.
Happy meditation everyone.
A quotation for Monday 30th March 2020