The Perfect Meditation
For the last two years, I've endeavoured to meditate early every day. It didn't happen every morning. But when it did, it significantly changed how I entered the day.
I find the morning is my best time to meditate. In the summer, especially, I witness the dawn of a new day. I'm up before 6 a.m.; my family is still in snooze land, and the morning is mine. My brain is quiet; the world is peaceful.
However, in the last three weeks, we have welcomed a new family member: Milo, an adorable little puppy. He is tiny and fluffy, and (when not biting my ankles) he is a beautiful addition to the family. This morning, Milo decided that my morning meditation was his fun time.
I have enough insight (I've done the work, trust me) to know that one of my favourite things to do is procrastinate under the guise of perfection. Of course, wanting to be better at something is an admirable, even desirable trait, but not when it prevents you from achieving anything of substance.
Up until recently, completing my meditation practice was reliant on a 'mental' list of things;
Make sure I've remained well hydrated.
Get up early.
Make sure it's quiet.
Do it first thing in the morning.
Use my meditation mat and bolster.
Have a fantastic experience.
Don't let my mind wander too much - yes, I see the irony in writing that!
Can you see where this is going?
I've told many people that Meditation isn't that hard - and you know what? It isn't! But getting there can be one of the hardest things you will do.
Excuses can get on the road of many paths to improvement; how you deal with these arguments is part of the learning. The work you do to get past these obstacles on the road will ultimately provide transformation.
So after my morning with Milo (substitute - child, partner, home, work, lifestyle, history, gender, assumption, isolation), I decided to make a new 'mental' list. Here goes;
At any time of the day.
Sit with your back straight.
Close your eyes.
Consciously breathe.
Stay there for a moment.
Give yourself a high five!
This morning, I woke up early because a tiny puppy wanted to pee. I sat on the couch - so I couldn't be nipped. I picked a quick breathing meditation on Insight Timer, and I sat. I even had to move a little toy with my feet for entertainment - not mine. 😉
And you know what? My meditation was perfect - because I did it even when everything else wasn't.