5 Reasons You Find it Hard to Meditate

I have tried to sit for mediation, but I find it so hard to meditate. My mind wouldn't stop thinking. I can't focus. What should I do?

I tried meditating but I keep sleeping most of the time I'm sitting in silence.

I meditated for few days, and I felt much calmer and focused.

My son told me yesterday, papa, you need to meditate (when I was losing my temper). I know it'll help me with my anger, but I'm not consistent with meditation. What can I do?

I just can't find time and motivation to sit for mediation, even though I really want to. I've heard a lot about it's benefits. But I don't think I can even sit still.

These are few common things I hear clients and friends sharing often.

Do you also feel that you want to meditate but can't make it happen, on a daily basis? Do you also find it hard to meditate?

If I recall my journey of meditation, for last 12 years, I can relate with all those things. I was introduced to meditation by my mentor Robert Holden (on Happiness coaching course with him) and I'd sleep almost every meditation during that course. His voice was so soothing and sleep inducing :)

Every time I'd go and ask him what do do, he'd say, nothing to worry about. It's all good, just keep going, have an intention to connect with yourself and keep sitting in silence. And I think, I am good student as I didn't give up. Even after years of sleeping (on & off) during meditations, I kept sitting almost every single day from 10 minutes to 50-60 minutes (depending upon my life's circumstances). Sometimes I'd feel good, sometimes I'd be fed up with thoughts, but still would keep trying... and sit on my meditation cushion regularly.

Then about 5.5 years back, I experienced Vipassana meditation course, on the 6th day of that course everything changed for me. I experienced a deep state of mediation which was pure bliss (a feeling of being pure energy, difficult to describe in words).

When I came back from Vipassana, my family (esp. my children) told me that I was a different person, they haven't seen me so calm before. Basically, my kids would do the same mischiefs but nothing would irritate or upset me. Of course, they're loving it.

Meditation is not just sitting in stillness, but experiencing the sacredness of your being, of life and taking that into your practical daily life. ~ Jidu Krishnamurthy

So in my own journey of trying to meditate and then finding my own ways of meditating (that I'll share in a different blog), here are five Big Reasons I feel that people find it hard and are not able to meditate regularly.

1. They think that they need to stop their thoughts in order to meditate.

A common misconception is that one has to stop their thoughts, and only then they can meditate.

Truth: You can not stop your mind. Though, when you observe your thoughts with no judgement whatsoever and just let them be, they start to subside.

Every time you notice your thoughts, you just gently bring yourself back to your breath, that's all. Deep compassion and kindness towards yourself, as if you're bringing a baby back from going towards a hazard.

2. They believe it is too hard.

This is a common myth that meditation is really difficult and need years and years of practice to get benefit from meditation.

"Our beliefs shape our life."

If you believe it's hard, it is going to be hard for you.

Truth: Meditation is as simple as breathing. Once you get a way to get in touch with the rhythm of your breath, it becomes natural for you.

And it can happen in weeks or months or years, but you won't know until you try. So just sit in silence and get in touch with the rhythm of your breath. Slowly, you'll become one with your breath and your mind will settle.

3. It can only happen in a certain position or place.

Having a specific place, position and even time for meditation certainly helps you get this quickly, though it's certainly not a prerequisite for meditation.

Truth: You can practice meditation anywhere, anytime in any position.

Meditation is about observing yourself, your thoughts and feelings. If you're being aware of moment to moment actions, how you're walking, how you're talking, how you're being with someone, in certain situations, observing yourself speak and react, you are into meditation.

That's the whole purpose of meditation anyway, to raise one's awareness and consciousness.

4. I don't have time to meditate.

This is a common reason people don't meditate.

Truth Bomb: If you have an intention, you can easily create 10 minutes (or 30, or 50) in your day for something that's important for you.

Check out your day and routine, if you scrolled through social media for few minutes, watched a You tube video or some TV, overthought or overanalysed some decision or any thing, you certainly have enough time to meditate.

What you need is a strong intention, and a stronger WHY, that's it.

5. People say, I am not a spiritual person.

This is a recent one, I heard from a lovely client of mine.

I wonder, what does it mean to be a spiritual person, anyway?

We all have a spirit, and if you agree with me on this, then we all are spiritual. Spirituality is not a concept, it's all about knowing oneself, that's all.

So there's nothing woo-woo or mystical about meditation and it's not that you should have a mystical experience in meditation.

Meditation is simply learning to be still.

When you pay attention to your breath or any movement or sensation in your body, without judging it or making a meaning out of it; slowly and gradually your mind comes to pauses where there's no movement (not even movement of thoughts), that happens naturally. Those pauses are deeply peaceful and help you connect with the silence within you (your inner being).

All I can say is, if you've ever experienced meditation and liked it, or you've been intrigued to try it, Please give it a go. You'll be happy that you did.

If you have any questions about Meditation, feel free to connect with me and ask; I'd love to answer with best of my capabilities and experience.

I wish you a heartwarming, soul nourishing, beautiful experience of mediation, especially meditation as a way of life...

Much love n light.

Saloni

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About the Author:

Dr. Saloni Singh is a certified Life & self-mastery coach (accredited with ICF), mental & emotional well-being catalyst, a mindfulness trainer, meditation facilitator, certified Happiness coach and Master NLP practitioner.

She specialises into Coaching leaders for connecting within deeply, handling stress, anxiety and tuning into inner well-being and self-mastery. She has been working with individuals, families & groups globally for more than 13 years to raise self-awareness.

She facilitates workshops for Mental & emotional well-being, Leadership, Mindfulness, Stress and conflict management and Coaching skills training for organisations.

To know her more, or follow her blogs, go here:?www.salonisingh.com?or listen to her on Josh Talks

Connect with her on Instagram: Instagram.com/salonilifecoach/

Or Facebook: Fb.com/lifecoachSaloniSingh

You can reach out to her at [email protected]