Day 3: Is It Only Day 3??

 

"It is as simple as this. Leave everything you know behind." - David Whyte

When you are sick, or after surgery, everyone says it gets better after day 3, That is true for meditation as well. It will get better after day 3, or 4 or maybe 27, but it will get better! When I go to the gym and start on the cross trainer, the first couple of minutes feel terrible. I am panting, my muscles are complaining and I am tempted to stop. Its too hard. But I keep going! In another minute or two, it feels better and I am glad I didn't quit. Its the same with meditation. We are training our minds to do something new, like a sweet puppy, and it will complain. Let it complain. Breathe. Pat those thoughts on the head, come back to awareness of your body and breath. Tell yourself you will meditate one more minute or one more day.

Remember our plan is to sit 20 minutes a day. Sit on a pillow, or sit on a chair. Hang out the "do not disturb" sign. Silence the phone. Close your eyes and breathe. Pay attention to your breath, let it come naturally for your body without managing it. Feel the cool air in your nostrils, and your lungs expanding and contracting. When thoughts come, and believe me they will come, imagine they are clouds drifting across a blue sky. Then gently, without judgment, bring your awareness back to your breath. That's it!

Good job! Sit. Stay.

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