Embracing Effortlessness in Meditation
A Journey Beyond the Mind with Christopher
Imagine sitting in a movie theater. The lights dim, and the screen flickers to life. Scenes arise and fade, some familiar, others entirely new. You don’t direct this film—it unfolds on its own. This effortless unfolding is much like meditation.
In our recent workshop, we explored the art of meditation not as a rigid practice but as an opportunity to let go. Many of us approach meditation with expectations: My mind should be still. I must feel calm. But here’s the secret: Meditation begins not when the thoughts stop but when we stop resisting them.
Would you like to learn with us? We are teaching an in-person meditation retreat weekend Dec 27-29, 2024
What Happens During Meditation?
When you sit in stillness, your thoughts, like clouds, come and go. Memories of the past, worries about the future—they all arise effortlessly and fade on their own. There’s no need to cling to or push them away. This natural ebb and flow is where the magic happens. Over time, the mind’s chatter quiets, revealing the deeper, spacious calm beneath.
The Key to Meditation: Awareness
Meditation isn’t about doing—it’s about noticing. In our workshop, we practiced “micro skills,” like observing the breath or tracing the subtle rise and fall of energy in the body. Each time a thought pulled us away, we gently returned to our focus with curiosity, not judgment. It’s this act of returning that cultivates awareness, the true heart of meditation.
Your Meditation Journey
Start small. Sit for a minute, maybe two, and notice what arises. There’s no “right” way to meditate. Whether you’re in line at the grocery store, sitting in traffic, or lying in bed, you can turn your attention inward. Over time, these moments of mindfulness add up, creating a sense of ease and clarity in your daily life.
Meditation is like doing the dishes—it can be messy at times, but it leaves you with a clean, spacious kitchen of the mind. Give it a try, and let the simplicity surprise you.