Committing to Your Spiritual Practice
I don’t know anyone with a spiritual practice who hasn’t fallen off the bandwagon at some point. Of course, we feel better when we are meditating but it is hard to keep it up.
Sitting itself can be hard to do. Physically, the body doesn’t like sitting still. Backs, knees and hips are apt to ache and feet can fall asleep. Meditating is mentally taxing, too. We have so many thoughts to contend with. Good thoughts are hard to let go because we want to remember them while negative thoughts can be so persistent.
Despite the obstacles, I believe that some form of spiritual practice is essential to lasting happiness. We need to practice identifying with our true soul nature. Landing deeply in our soul-selves brings presence and perspective, which transform so many facets of daily life.
Early in my motherhood days, I was so severely sleep deprived that I felt I was losing my mind. I would try to breathe and be mindful while nursing but a meditation practice by myself just didn’t seem possible. Then I remembered wise words from Swami Dharmananda in Rishikesh, India, “Better to do a short practice every day than no practice. Build from 3 to 7 minutes. Increase to 11-21-33 minutes.”
That’s when I became the 3-minute meditator. I decided that no matter how tired I was, I would commit to three minutes of meditation. Some days, when I was so bone tired that I could hardly see straight, I sat for three minutes then collapsed into bed. Most days, once I found myself on my cushion, I sat longer. Slowly, I rebuilt my practice.
If you are struggling to make meditation part of your daily life, try these tips.
Be realistic – Commit to a length of meditation that you believe you can do every day. If the bar is low, you will feel good about meeting it rather than feeling guilty about failing.
Be specific – 21 days is a great block to commit to a particular practice. Choose any practice that calls you. I like to do a mix of silent sitting and Japa meditations, repetition of mantras with a mala. Choose a start date and a specific time of day then commit!
Find a buddy – It is easier to keep the practice if you have someone in your home who is onside. If not, find a friend and start a similar practice on the same day for the same length of time.
Celebrate your success – Take time to acknowledge yourself for making this time for your practice.
Be gentle and kind – Despite your best efforts, you may falter. If you don’t live up to your commitment, don’t give up, just start over.
The practice itself is a practice.