Silent Mind: Getting back to meditation

Last summer I experimented with doing daily meditations and I absolutely loved it. The daily part went down hill after I did three out of town trips in a row, throwing a wrench in my normal routine. I've tried to pick it up and dust it off again and this time I hope it will stick.

I feel much more relaxed and patient and well...less bitchy...when I take time out of my day to meditate for just a little bit. Sometimes it is 7 mins or on other days I do 30 mins. It all depends how much time I have, but I am trying to make it a daily habit.

Currently, my meditation time is in the evenings at weeknights and in the afternoon on weekends. I'm considering changing it to the mornings after reading these 10 meditation tips from Andy Puddicombe. Earlier this week I shared with you my morning routine; I'm considering adding 7-10 mins of meditation after my yoga, but I fear I'll just push it aside in favor of a cup of coffee.

Going back to Puddicombe's article, three particular tips stand out to me (tips abbreviated to the points I am commenting on. To read full tips, view original article):

6) Avoid judging your meditation. It is tempting to think you are "good" or "bad" at meditation. In truth, there is no such thing.

Oh man, this is a hard one for me. I'm not concerned on whether I am "good" or "bad" at it, but I am constantly trying to get back to a space I was in the last time a meditation session went really well. When I start feeling those same experiences, I psych myself out being all "Oh, it's going to happen again!" I need to stop comparing each session and just do it without a goal in mind.

8) Keep an "excuse book" close to hand. It may sound strange, but often when we see the excuse on paper, we realize that we really do have the time and that it really does matter.

This is a really great idea. If I have to take the time out to write why I'm not doing it, I will probably just go ahead and meditate.

9) Find a buddy to do it with. It doesn't have to be physically together, or even at the same time, but find a friend who's also looking to establish a regular practice and commit to helping each other out.

Same concept as with a gym buddy and there is a reason this works. How about this: anyone who wants to do daily mediation, comment to this post. We can check-in with each other through the comments and be each others buddies. Deal?