Don't just do something, sit there!
8/27/2023
Why can't I just sit still and meditate? I don't have any problems sitting still and reading a book, sitting still and watching a movie, or sitting still and doing needlepoint. But I can't seem to sit still and do nothing?! Why is that so difficult?
Meditation Benefits
The benefits of meditation are widely well-known: lower stress levels, lower blood pressure, lower cortisol, increased sense of well-being, etc. Despite all these benefits, despite knowing how good it is for me, despite recommendations from my doctors, I still struggle to do it. I have tried meditating on and off over the years, but I've never been able to make it stick.
Focus Muscle
Like many others now over the age of fifty, I've started playing word games on my phone to keep my brain sharp and hopefully delay the inevitable age-related cognitive decline. What if I looked at meditation similarly? Afterall, meditation is training the brain to focus. Just like physical exercise strengthens my biceps, so that I can lift heavy objects when I need to, meditation strengthens my focus "muscle", so that when I'm struggling, I am able to calm down, focus and stay in the present moment.
Regular Practice
Maybe this isn't a revelation for anyone else, but it is for me. So rather than being disappointed when I don't experience inner peace while meditating, my long-term goal will be to "strengthen" my ability to stay calm and focus. I won't expect short-term gains. Just like going to the gym I don't notice results that same day. But I feel stronger the more I make it a part of my regular routine.
So I'm excited to give this another shot. I will think of it like going to the gym, brushing my teeth, eating healthy and playing word games. Meditation will be another part of my daily health maintenance. Most likely I won't enjoy it in the moment. It will probably be difficult and frustrating, but it will come in handy for those times when I'm feeling stressed. So wish me luck, I'm going to go sit and do nothing!
