I have been meditating for about 6 months now and I love love it. However, I have not told anyone and am afraid to because a lot of people make fun of meditation. Also, I have a really hard time meditating on my own without a guided mediation. I can’t get myself to calm down or my mind to shut up on my own. I also need motivation to meditate. I just want inner calmness. Any support that you could give at all would be so much appreciated! Thanks so much in advance. Love and peace to all!
—Emma S, USA
Dear Emma,
So glad to know that you love to meditate! That’s half the battle — never let go of that love and feed it in any way you can.
Don’t worry about not telling anyone that you meditate. You are right that most people wouldn’t understand anyway. But it is hard to do things in a vacuum, so it might be good to find other meditators in your area that would “speak the same language” so to speak — look at Find Ananda Near You for details. Being around other people who meditate and meditating with them as often as possible is a huge help.
If you live in an area where this is impossible (or even if you don’t), I’d strongly advise you to join our online Ananda Virtual Community. Online group meditations may be a big help to you also!
Guided meditations can be very helpful, especially in the beginning of your meditative life. But here is an important point to remember. Meditation comes in two parts: the “getting there” and the “being there.” Every meditation should have elements of both.
Getting there involves all the technique you use to help you get into deep, silent, sitting meditation. Guided meditation can be a part of getting there. But always leave time for being there, that is, sitting silently and being as calm and inward as possible. Even if you feel restless, do it anyway, for at least five minutes. It will get easier as time goes on.
Yet to neglect the “being there” part of meditation is like fixing a delicious meal but not taking time to eat it. What is the “there” part of meditation?” It’s superconscious bliss and oneness with God and with all that is. You’ll definitely recognize it when it happens.
Much of meditation involves creating good habits. Meditate at the same time, same place, every day without fail, even if it’s only for five to ten minutes. Build up the length of time as you feel to. It’s infinitely better to meditate just a little bit, than not at all.
If you fail to meditate on any one or more days (it happens to everybody), at least notice that your daily life is affected — life is so much better when you meditate than when you don’t even try! And noticing this is an excellent motivator!
God watches the intentions of our hearts and will know that we are trying—and thus will offer us the grace to keep going no matter what. Calming the restless mind is what we all struggle with. Don’t say you can’t. Just say that you have not yet succeeded.
Having the right techniques of meditation (watching the breath, a mantra, etc.) are a huge help. If you don’t know these techniques yet, be sure to learn them in our online course in meditation as soon as possible.
Finally, please remember that you already have inner calmness. It’s just a process of learning to find where it is within you. Blessings and joy to you always!
