When Meditation Doesn't Seem to Work
When, despite putting in the time and energy, we are still beset with distraction, sleepiness, painful feelings, etc., in our meditation, we are most likely to struggle against these experiences. If things do not turn out the way we expected, then we might conclude that meditation is too hard or useless; it is not for us.
In this approach, we look at all these so-called hindrances with a different perspective:
We support this process through nurturing some helpful mental qualities and attitudes, such as awareness, an inquisitive mind, patience, kindness and gentleness, and the attitude of letting go. These in turns help to diminish the unhelpful qualities and attitudes, like our craving for sensual pleasure, aversion to unpleasant experiences, restlessness and worry, doubt, as well as dullness and lethargy. When our body and mind let go of these hindrances and unhelpful habitual tendencies, they will be free to experience the rapture, pleasure, and peace of meditation.
When, despite putting in the time and energy, we are still beset with distraction, sleepiness, painful feelings, etc., in our meditation, we are most likely to struggle against these experiences. If things do not turn out the way we expected, then we might conclude that meditation is too hard or useless; it is not for us.
In this approach, we look at all these so-called hindrances with a different perspective:
- What can we learn from them?
- What can they tell us about ourselves, about the states of our body and mind?
We support this process through nurturing some helpful mental qualities and attitudes, such as awareness, an inquisitive mind, patience, kindness and gentleness, and the attitude of letting go. These in turns help to diminish the unhelpful qualities and attitudes, like our craving for sensual pleasure, aversion to unpleasant experiences, restlessness and worry, doubt, as well as dullness and lethargy. When our body and mind let go of these hindrances and unhelpful habitual tendencies, they will be free to experience the rapture, pleasure, and peace of meditation.