No, you’re not a ‘bad meditator’
Today, I want to talk about a message I received from someone starting my course, ‘The Mindful Habit‘.
They reached out and told me, “I’m considering giving up, honestly, I think I’m just not cut out for meditation.”
If you’ve ever felt that way, don’t worry; you’re not alone.
I hear you, and I’m here to tell you that there’s no such thing as a “bad meditator.”
The human mind is a scattered mind
Think of meditation as lifting a kettlebell at the gym. Every time you do it, your muscles get stronger.
Similarly, when you bring your attention back to the present moment during meditation, you’re building new neural pathways in your brain.
Maybe you’ve said to yourself, “My mind is just too busy to meditate!”
Having a scattered mind is totally normal. We all deal with it, and Buddhists even have a name for it—the “monkey mind.” It’s like a monkey swinging from branch to branch, always active and never settling down.
Here’s the thing: meditation isn’t about reaching some special mental state where your mind is completely empty or freeing yourself from thoughts. That’s not the goal. Instead, it’s about becoming more aware of your current mental state and thought patterns and slowly distancing yourself from it.
Whatever you’re doing, it’s already enough
Just like how you get those ripped abs at the gym with regular exercise, the benefits of meditation come from consistent practice.
With time, you’ll gradually observe your mind will become more settled, and your ability to stay present improving.
Remember, everyone faces challenges in meditation. It’s completely normal to experience fluctuations in your focus. Like in everything, you’ll have good days, and you’ll have days that are less good.
Whatever you’re doing, it’s already enough
The key is to approach those moments with compassion and determination, just like you would embrace the discomfort of lifting a heavy kettlebell at the gym. Obstacles are part of the process.
Start small, take it step by step, and keep it simple.
Don’t expect a free mind right away.
It’s all about progress. That’s why it’s called practice and not perfect.
And guess what? You’re doing great already. Seriously! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Embrace the journey and enjoy the process.
Wrapping up
If you’re looking to establish a consistent meditation practice, I’ve got something that might help—my free mini-course called The Mindful Habit. It’s designed to help you on your meditation journey.
The Mindful Habit is a gentle online self-paced program that includes a few different mindfulness practices, Meditation, Journaling and Yoga, and will guide you towards a more mindful and fulfilling way of being.
If you’re looking to bring more peace and equilibrium into your life, you’ll find value in it.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. Remember, you’ve got this, and I believe in you! Keep going, and keep being awesome!
Until next time!
Much love,
Maria
