I lead a small group of new meditators. We have been doing this for about ten months, and from my observations I feel the most important aspect of successful mindfulness is to practice, practice, and practice some more. Although practice is extremely important, intention is also essential to the practice of mindfulness. If you are mindful of your intention to find a calmer way of life, or to solve a specific problem and allow yourself to focus, the result will be significant. Mindfulness may be great way for new meditators to start. But you can also explore the technique of Sahaj Samadhi Meditation, a simple, natural technique of effortless meditation that everyone can learn, and that brings release of stress and peace of mind from the very beginning.
With my practice of mindfulness meditation, I have realized that the length of time you meditate depends on experience, a willingness to be peaceful and happy, and detaching from the everyday problems which bother you.
Detachment Brings Peace
There is often a misunderstanding about the word DETACHMENT. It simply means to pay no attention to thoughts which keep running around your head and stopping you from achieving goals. Detachment from negativity is vital in today's angry world. Detachment from certain phrases which are hurtful,detachment from violence, from obsessive behavior, from being argumentative or critical, and much more are needed. With detachment comes peace, and the intention of meditation becomes clear and spiritual.
In a sense, detachment is pulling away from pain and insecurity, and entering a positive environment which you create and in which you can bring joy, not only to yourself but to others, as well.
Dealing With Restlessness
One of the women in my group always came with a restless attitude and often complained that too much time was taken up trying to calm herself. One day, I watched her and saw her looking at her watch every few seconds. In short, she was not meditating but counting the minutes during which she had to sit quietly and not disturb others.
After the session, I asked her to stay a bit longer, and asked her what really bothered her, and in fact, why she came to a group whose goal is to choose a stress-free life? It seemed to me that she felt only stress during our time together.
She burst into tears. She insisted it was her husband's fault, because he constantly told her to stop running around, to sit down with a book or a conversation, and she couldn't. She called herself an active woman.
I didn't say anything ,and for a few minutes, all was quiet. "I am always stressed," she said in a too loud voice. And went on to complain about her house which was too large, her children which needed attention, her husband's dissatisfaction, her overweight. I thought the list would go on and on, but I stopped her. I suggested that she come twice a week to meditate with me and not feel pressured by the group.
Somehow, that made her feel special, and the first time she arrived, she had a smile on her face. We did a simple meditation for half an hour, and at the end, she stretched her arms above her head and told me she felt wonderful.
Deep Change Through Meditation
Slowly, she learned that breathing deeply had become important to her, that she could leave her worries behind, though she would never admit to detaching herself from her negativity. She wanted to meditate for one hour with me and told me that she was practicing at home every morning and evening.
She rejoined the group, who could not believe how she had changed. She sat calmly, her face had a pleasant expression, and she told us that meditation had saved her from a life of stress, a stress for which she was responsible.
Truth in facing ourselves at deeper and deeper levels will allow us to enjoy our being in this world. When we sense happiness, we also will be able to become more compassionate toward others. Our lives will be more fulfilled .
By Margot Webb - An expert meditation author and a teacher. She learned meditation in India. She was also coordinator of integration in a school in a large city and worked with students who came every day carrying their private problems with them. At 90, she enjoys music and the warmth of friendships thanks to her meditation practice .
