Hello friends! Not sure how many of you are still following this post series, but if you have made it so far, a BIG thank you! While my last post was all about challenges that I faced during the 42-meditation program, part 3 is going to focus on the positive and probably has even a bit of a praising undertone. Today, I would like to share about what I got out of this self-development program. According to my dashboard, I spent in total almost 13 hours meditating during this challenge, so I think it is important to take a moment and see what the outcome is.
Learnings
Key learning #1: Prior to Peace Revolution program (more about the program in part 1 of this series), I always desperately tried to turn off my thoughts that came to my mind during the meditation and was disappointed in myself when I wasn’t able to do that. However, I understand now it is totally OK when the thoughts come – just observe, accept and then let them go. On my good days, I am actually able to do that, so whenever I have a thought coming to my mind, I gaze at it as a cloud in the sky. The cloud is naturally drifting in and then again out. Graciously coming and going. Like with the weather, it is impossible to predict their quantity and their speed, but in my opinion, it is at the same time also the beauty of meditation. You never know what comes to your mind during your next practice, but when you practice consistently enough, you will start noticing patterns and through those patterns, you will get to know yourself better. During that time, you will also learn how to notice when you are suddenly too deep into your thoughts and need to come back to the “Center”. From my own experience, I can tell that it is really cool to start noticing this, and of course, every progress adds a bit of a motivation!
Key learning #2: When I talked with my coach about my doubts, and if meditation is really worth investing all this time, she asked me not to push myself to meditate if I wasn’t feeling like it. (I guess here we need to differentiate if we are just not feeling up to it, or if you are really in a mental state where it is better to wait a bit.) I was also informed that meditation is not a task on the to-do list. Gotcha! Now you’re talking my language! From that day, I started taking breaks from the challenge sometimes not meditating for 5 days straight. I felt it was OK because I always turned back to the program. I really didn’t go without meditating at all though, some days I just did it by myself for 5 minutes or followed one of the guided meditations on YouTube.
Key learning #3: there are different types of meditation. In this specific program, I got to know the following techniques: focusing on the “Center of the body” (I think this is what you can call focused attention or concentration), visualization, mantra, body scan, contemplation (it’s not about reflecting on the issues, but rather observing everything without judgement). If I miss something, my bad—I should have taken notes during the challenge!
Some more general learnings and tips:
- If you ever decide to participate in the Peace Revolution self-improvement program, you will often hear “Sabai” and “Sabai feeling.” I understand that this is what we are looking for during our mediation: the Sabai feeling. The word comes from Thai (the program is developed by Thai monks) and there is no literal translation to English. According to Quora, “Sabai Sabai” is an expression to relax and enjoy the flow of any situation. It basically means happiness, peace, and comfort.
- One needs patience on this journey, nothing happens overnight.
- Let go your expectations. They keep one stuck and prevent progress.
- There is no right or wrong in meditation.
- I have learned that I prefer a guided meditation without any music in the background and a guide who doesn’t speak too much. Sometimes the speaking interrupts my focus and for me it is almost impossible to regain my “Center”.
- It is recommended not to eat for a few hours before you meditate
- Don’t meditate lying down!
- Optimal time to mediate for me is 20 minutes. Even if I am able to sit through a 30-minute meditation, I know that after 20 minutes focusing gets unbearably hard.
Benefits
While I had many challenging days during my meditation challenge, I experienced some really good moments, too!
- In some of my most stressful days, meditation helped me to clear my head. I didn’t get rid of thoughts, but I was able to “see” what really needs to get done and which tasks can wait. Also, I was able to identify which problems are pseudo-problems. I also would like to note here that the same happens to me sometimes when I am running or walking (without any music on).
- This I experienced at least in two or three occasions: I was looking for answers to certain questions for days and then got my best ideas during the meditation. That was pretty awesome!
- On my good days I was able to slow down my mind. I think it is extremely important since sometimes I’m a bit concerned my brain will simply explode as my mind is like the worst highway. And yes, there is also a rush hour where the thoughts get stuck causing a thought-jam.
- Not always, but on several occasions, I was able to ground myself through the meditation practice that left me calm and centered for at least a few minutes once the meditation session had ended. On some days, I was able to feel this even hours after ending the meditation.
I hope you enjoyed this post series, and that I was able to spark a bit of an interest in you. Perhaps you would now like to try out meditation yourself! I am definitely looking forward to all comments! Today, months after this challenge, I am glad to say that I have been meditating almost every morning. My meditations are quite short during the week (10 minutes), however, I am trying to find at least 20 minutes for it on the weekends. I am also planning to go through the same 42-day challenge once more later this year. Primarily from curiosity to see if I have improved my skills.
If you think the post series is now over, guess again! As promised at the very beginning, I do have a little surprise for you. Drum roll, please! Post 4 in this series will be an interview with my peace coach Fariba! I knew this entire series wouldn’t be complete without asking somebody more advanced about meditation and what beginners are usually struggling with. So, in just a few days, I will have it up for you here! Subscribe and you will get a notification straight to your inbox!
Light & love,
Liis