“I’ve totally failed at meditation,” a friend of mine lamented.
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I thought, rather defensively, “The only way to ‘fail’ at meditation is not to.”
But to use in language the very concept of pass/fail is anathema to meditation.
Meditation requires nothing of you. You don’t have to DO anything. In fact, the point is not to “do” anything.
Simply to notice.
The Tool:
Notice yourself thinking.. notice the way your body feels when you sit.
Notice the thoughts that come up – perhaps saying: “Don’t just sit there, DO something!” Perhaps saying: “This is a waste of time!”
Notice yourself having this thought.
Notice how it feels to have this thought.
..And let it pass. It usually does.
Most of the time, it gives rise to another thought. And then another, and then another..
Sometimes, you will feel compelled to act on a thought. “Get up!” or my favorite “I’ve gotta write that down!”
Instead, notice what happens when you don’t.
When you continue to sit.
Relatively still.
Just notice what happens.
Before you know it: you are meditating.
One might even say..
..Successfully.
