10 Things I wish I had known before I did a LEARN HOW TO MEDITATE COURSE
In this blog post, I will share the ten invaluable insights I wish I had known before I started meditating. These lessons, gathered through years of practice, can help you navigate the path of meditation with greater clarity and confidence, ensuring a more fulfilling and transformative experience.
1) Meditation & Mindfulness are different
Mindfulness and meditation are frequently mentioned together, they are related but not the same. Mindfulness can be done anytime and anywhere - while cooking, walking, eating, reading etc. Meditation is more of a consistent practice that we show up to. It’s time we set aside every day for stillness where we have a single point of awareness.
2) Effortless Meditation is a thing, and it is highly effective.
Meditation should feel effortless - if taught correctly. We are so conditioned to believe that the more EFFORT and FORCE we put into something, the better the results will be. However, the opposite is true for meditation. The more we can surrender, the more we can allow and the less effort we put in, the more effective our meditation will be.
3) Meditation does not involve deep focus or concentration
Meditation is a simple process that we engage our minds in that activates the relaxation response within the body. If you are using heavy-concentration then it is likely that you are probably not relaxing your body. Let go of the deep focus and concentration while your meditating.
4) Being comfortable is crucial while you meditate
You do NOT need to sit cross-legged on the ground, there is actually no scientific evidence to support that this is beneficial to a meditation practice. Sit in a comfortable position where your back can be supported. Use pillows and a blanket. Ensure you are totally comfortable. The more comfortable you can be, the more you will give your body a chance to deeply relax.
5) You are not trying to stop your thoughts during meditation
If you enter into a meditation practice with the intention of trying to stop your thoughts, you will be severely dissapointed. You have a mind and the nature of your mind is to think. Trying to get your mind to stop thinking is like the equivalent of asking your heart to stop beating, it simply won’t happen. You have a mind and it’s going to think. You are not trying to still your mind - but rather allowing your thoughts to be there and creating space for them. Ironically the less we feel bothered by our thoughts, the more likely they are to subside on their own.
6) Consistency with meditation is key
If you desire to feel the wonderful effects of meditation, consistency is the most important thing. The benefits of meditation have an accumulative effect - meaning that the more you meditate the deeper the effects will be and will last. Showing up to a meditation practice every day (and even twice a day) will transform your life. If you are just showing up here and there when you feel like it, it will still be beneficial but you will not receive the full spectrum of benefits.
7) Meditation really works
If you begin to show up to a consistent meditation practice, I assure you that you WILL see changes in your day-to-day life. There are a huge number of scientific evidence to back this up. You will literally change the neural pathways in your brain
8) Anyone can learn how to meditate - even if you have a busy monkey mind.
It doesn’t matter who you are and how busy your mind is.. you can learn how to meditate. What is important here is how meditation is taught. Often it is taught in a way that asks people to concentrate on an anchor or deeply focus on their breath - and this simply is not the best method. Effortless Meditation is a profound meditation technique that can truly be leant by anyone and everyone - even if you have a busy monkey mind.
9) Not all of your meditations will feel pleasant - and that is okay.
During meditation, there is not one way you are trying to feel. There is no state to achieve in meditation. Some meditations will feel wildly deep and profound, while others will feel like a hot mess. Let it be. Research shows that when we meditate and we subjectively feel that it isn’t very deep, all of the amazing things are STILL happening in your mind, brain and body. So, even if your meditation feels disastrous, you are still receiving all of the amazing effects. You don’t judge your meditation by how ‘good’ or ‘ bad’ each session is - all of them are exactly how they should be. Meditation is a pace to accept exactly where we are and how we feel - rather than trying to change our current state.
10) Learn how to meditate from a certified meditation teacher or coach
I feel that it is extremely worthwhile to learn an effective meditation technique from a certified meditation teacher. There are many different meditation techniques out there and it can feel overwhelming to try different techniques on your own. Apps are great, but I don’t believe they can take you as deep as a 1:1 teacher. When you begin to meditate consistently, stored stuff (emotions, stress, trauma etc) will slowly begin to come to the surface and it is important to find a teacher who can give you some tools to help to release and process these emotions.
Are you interested in learning how to meditate? Check out my Learn How to Meditate course, where you can learn how to confidently meditate anytime and anywhere using the Effortless Meditation Technique. This course is more than just a course that teaches you how to meditate.
I also offer high-quality guided audio meditation - created with love, care and intention - for those who wish to begin a meditation practice but don’t quite feel ready to take a course.
Hello and Welcome!
I’m Sammy, a compassionate meditation teacher and devoted yogi. Through transforming my own trauma into light, my mission is to carve the path for others to do the same.
I teach courses on how to meditate and to heal through meditation. I also guide people through private meditation journeys.
Feel free to contact me HERE
hello@theunboundself.com
My Offerings
Are you interested in becoming a Meditation Teacher?
I can give you some great recommendations along with a rad discount on my favourite company that offers accredited
Meditation Teacher Training.
The Meditation Teacher Training courses that I can recommend are truly phenomenal.
