Community

This is an ongoing series running through May to compliment the twice weekly meditation sessions that I will be hosting on YouTube (and are now archived on my YouTube page). If you have any questions, please contact me.

Meditation can be a lonely practice. It is just me sitting with myself. I am choosing to show up and sit with my mind, regardless of how my mind feels. Sometimes I am keen to get to the meditation cushion, sometimes I experience real resistance. My mind feels heavy, I am dealing with life and what I really want to do is distract myself, not sit directly looking at my life.

Getting myself to the meditation cushion can be difficult even if I am blessed with someone to share my sitting with, like a family member or good friend. However, the fact that the other is showing up becomes an impetus for me to show up. “They are sitting and so I can as well.” Somehow that physical presence of the other motivates me to show up as well, even if my meditation practice is a struggle today.

However, perhaps you are a lone meditator with no one in your immediate circle to sit with? Unless you have built a strong muscle of commitment to your meditation practice, come what may, the dedication to showing up can be a struggle and a lonely process. What to do?

My suggestion is look for an accountability partner. This might come in a variety of disguises. Here are some suggestions.

  • Find a friend or family member who you can text/call/email each day at an agreed time to say that you have completed your meditation, or even to share that you couldn’t bring yourself to sit today. That person doesn’t have to be a meditator themselves, simply someone who supports you in what you are doing. Someone who does not judge you for how you show up, but is willing to listen and where appropriate offer some words of support.
  • Find a book/audio recording of someone who inspires you within the realm of meditation practice and read or listen to some words by that person when you are looking for encouragement.
  • Build a support group through social media where you can check in with each other, and encourage each other in your practice.
  • In a time other than this period of social-distancing when I am writing this, look for a meditation group near to you.

You’ll see that most of these do not require you having someone physically with you, but just knowing that you have someone within reach through technology to help support you in your practice. I encourage you to reach out and ask.