Shifting our attention

In meditation .. we simply SHIFT our attention.

1. SIMPLE TO LEARN .. BUT TAKES PRACTICE

If you dream of riding in the Tour de France, singing on stage professionally, or achieving a deeper peace and calmness in life .. it’s going to take practice!  Achieving any goal or dream takes practice, commitment and a little passion .. 

it’s slow going if you only practice once the night before class or simply read the book

2. NO INSTANT ENLIGHTENMENT

Like brushing your teeth, you do it every day, not looking for fabulous experiences, but because it makes you feel immediately better and prevents problems in the future .. sometimes it feels brilliant, other times you simply can’t wait to finish.   Learning meditation is like any other skill, it requires practice and patience.  

you certainly cannot master meditation or experience the benefits of meditation after one class

3.  MANY ROADS UP THE MOUNTAIN

There are hundreds (if not thousands) of roads up the mountain to inner peace and quiet .. it may take some time to find the practice that best suits you .. keep practicing, one meditation at a time .. 

the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step

4. IT IS WHAT IT IS

There are no good or bad meditations.   Sometimes we experience deep and blissful stillness, other times boredom, anger or an annoying song from twenty years ago – sometimes all this can all occur in one meditation!  It is wise to take the view that ‘it is what it is’ and not worry too much about doing it ‘right’ or having the ‘right’ experience.  You can’t make meditation happen, just as you cannot make sleep happen (when you are not tired) or creativity or love.  

the most important thing with meditation .. is just to do it! 

And finally .. remember that we don’t meditate to become fabulous meditators.  

We meditate so that we are more able to be ourselves, to live from our values, and to be open to change .. it helps us become more skilful at living in this present moment.