Published on 12, July, 2020
I've been on this forum for a few years now and, so many of the conversations about meltdowns / shutdowns I've been involved with seem to include chat about trying meditation once or twice as a solution / remedy and 'it not working for me'. So I thought I dedicate a thread specifically to it.
I write this because it has taken me to do the same, try, lose interest, and consider it not right for me, for the past 12-15 years.
It was only after about 6/7 years I realised that I just needed to include it in my daily routine, everyday, even days when I feel so hyped up I don't see any immediate benefit in it, that it has had a knock on effect.
Emotions become something I now observe arriving, I question my compulsions before I react. It has retrained my natural tendancy to react in physical ways, be it behavioural or physiological. It has put my IBD into remission for years, much to the Dr's disbelief.
It has done something to me I can't explain, but it took committing to it 100% to reach that point.
So, in short, I recommend it to all of you. Even those of you reading this saying 'oh no, it definitely doesn't work for me'. I said the same, I was wrong
I've been meditating daily for 2+ years now, and it has totally changed my life as well.
I highly recommend the Headspace app. This gives you a very easy and friendly introduction to the practice, and you can make use of the free Basics course for as long as you want. I started by doing the Basics course 3 times in a row, increasing the meditation time each round. At the end of a month, I had a daily 10 minute meditation routine in place that I've kept going and increased over time.
At first it is awkward, boring, and frustrating - just stick with it.Meditation has given me the ability to escape my overbearing mind. The more you do it, and the more it becomes a part of your life, the less power your mind/thoughts have over you.
Please try it - good luck!