4 steps to a perfect meditation…
If you haven't already worked it out, the title of this months letter is 100% clickbait. The art of meditation is not about chasing perfection. Meditation is the art of complete surrender to the moment, to what you need at that very minute. Every time we sit down to meditate (ideally twice per day for 20mins) our experience is a reflection of the state of our nervous system at that time. Instead of thinking of a busy meditation as bad and a deep meditation as good, I urge you to let go of the expectation and just ride the wave. The following few steps will further assist you in your meditation experience!
1. CONSISTENCY
Just like going to the gym once per month will give you no results, having the discipline of meditating twice per day, everyday is going to change your world and offer you all that you desire. Discipline is a key ingredient here....Do you know what else discipline and meditation are good for? Creativity. If you have already learned to meditate and received your personal mantra, then get your butt in a chair twice per day for 20mins and then you will experience the vast array of benefits.
2. HOLD UP - STARTING AND ENDING WITH SILENCE
Once we get settled into our routine after the course, it's easy to forget some of the tweaks that can completely change your meditation experience. When you sit down to meditate, take half a minute to settle in. Close your eyes, start tuning in and taking long, slow deep breaths. Try counting in for 5, pause, then out for 5. Consciously let go of the story running in your mind. Notice the body starting to relax...then ever so gently and effortlessly bring your mantra into your mind and begin.
When you hit the 20min mark (or longer if you need) let go of your mantra, but don't open your eyes for 1-2mins. Breathe into the body, start becoming aware of where you are and than slowly open your eyes. This step is a game changer.
3. BE GENTLE WITH YOUR MANTRA
If you feel like you're forcing, pushing, straining or focusing on your mantra, then you probably aren't having a fun experience. When life throws curve balls and we are not keeping up our regular practice, we can start to force our meditation experience. So today, when you sit down to meditate I want you to be as gentle as possible with our mantra. Ever so gently and innocently bring it into your awareness. Slow it down if you need to, think of it as quietly as possible and then let it go. Your mantra is just a vehicle..get it moving and then the rest is automatic.
4. DON'T TAKE OVER THE WORLD IN YOUR MEDITATION, SAVE THAT FOR LATER...
The technique of Vedic meditation is different to any styles of contemplative or concentrative techniques. VM takes you beyond your mind, to a state of transcendence. Other techniques are designed for you to explore your mind, to sit and contemplate your thoughts..not ours. So if you are using your meditation time to contemplate life situations or new creative ideas then I urge you to let go and trust that the answers you seek will come up OUTSIDE of meditation. When we use the time to actively plan and think, we are not meditating. Let go of the thoughts, come back to the mantra and let it works its magic.
If you still feel like you aren't meditating correctly, your practice has changed, you aren't enjoying it or have fallen off the wagon, contact me at rachael@rachaelsardelich.com for a chat or lets book you in for a realignment!