Five Common Challenges to Meditation

Here is one of my favorite stories from Zen Stories to Tell Your Neighbors:

A martial arts student went to his teacher and said earnestly, “I am devoted to studying your martial system. How long will it take me to master it.” The teacher’s reply was casual, “Ten years.” Impatiently, the student answered, “But I want to master it faster than that. I will work very hard. I will practice everyday, ten or more hours a day if I have to. How long will it take then?” The teacher thought for a moment, “20 years.”

Many of my meditation workshop participants ask for help with the following problems in their meditation practice. I think about the story above because many of the students have come up with creative ways to deal with these challenges. It is not about working hard on meditation but going with the flow with your challenges.

Wandering Mind And Focus

• Many meditation beginners are frustrated with how difficult it is to focus one’s mind on a specific image or their own breathing. Thoughts such as “Am I doing this right?” or “Oh! I remember that I have to finish an errand”. Such distracting thoughts are very common as the “Left” or logical part of the brain is often uncomfortable with the meditation process. You can use your imagination to observe and let these thoughts drift away. You can then bring back your focus on to your “mantra” or your breathing. Just be tolerant of the incessant chatter in your mind. Some people often describe meditation as the gap between the thoughts but remember that even if the gap is for a few seconds, your body and mind benefits from that relaxation. You can change your focus from breathing to images or listen to relaxing music – pick the most effective focusing method that works for you. One of my participants meditates by focusing her attention on the flame of a candle. Just understand that relaxation comes from your focus and “inward” looking. It is not necessarily a continuous process – and it may come in waves and spells.

Physical Itch And Discomfort

• As you focus on meditation; you become aware of new tensions, itches and physical discomforts. You may also become aware of pain in your neck or back. Feel free to adjust your position. If you are sitting cross-legged on the floor, consider moving to a comfortable chair. There is nothing wrong in scratching an itch or applying soothing lotion on any dry part of the skin that itches. The important thing is to return to your mindfulness or meditation session after dealing with your source of discomfort.

Falling Asleep

• When I listen to a new piece of meditation music, I often fall asleep. When you are tired or exhausted, your physical body can relax immediately by falling asleep. Do you lie down to meditate? Consider sitting on a comfortable chair. If you continue to fall asleep even in the sitting position, try meditating at different times of the day – say early in the morning or middle of the day. Be patient with yourself when this happens. In some cases, you may so physically tired that the body responds by sleeping.

Feeling Bored

• Some participants find meditating to be a very boring activity. Their mind feels restless and they do not get a relaxation response. They grow fidgety and uncomfortable. Try different techniques – focus on your breathing, try different types of music or use your imagination to transport yourself to a beach, forest or garden. If sitting still is a challenge, I strongly recommend a walking meditation or perhaps the Tennis Ball Meditation.
  

I look forward to hearing about your challenges in meditation and how you overcame them.Do not expect to become a meditation expert in a few sittings but you should be able to relax within 1-2 meditation session. I teach three techniques – focus on breathing, happy place meditation and loving kindness meditation. There are number of other meditation techniques. Check out books, CDs and DVDs from your public library. If you are open, you will definitely find a technique that works best for you.
Is finding time to meditate challenging? Read my article No time for meditation? Here is what you can do…

In spite of my years of meditation practice, there are some days when I can’t relax and enjoy my meditation sessions. To paraphrase a famous saying about fishing “A bad day at meditation is better than a good day with stress”!

I look forward to hearing about your challenges in meditation and how you overcame them.