r/Mindfulness • u/Confident_Device_865 • 1d ago
Advice 7 lessons from 7 years of meditation.
Hi, new to Reddit... hopefully this is the right place to be posting this.
I’ve been meditating semi-consistently for over 7 years now, so I’d thought I’d share 7 lessons I’ve learnt from 7 years of meditation.
1. Start simple.
The periods of my life when I’ve been most consistent have been when I’ve returned to a super simple practice (maybe just 5 minutes a day) and built back up over time.
2. Some days are easier than others.
Some days you wake up refreshed, mind sharp, ready to sit down and get into your best state…
Some days your mind is totally cluttered and you can’t focus at all.
Sitting down to practice regardless of how you feel is what builds the habit.
3. You can’t do it “wrong”.
When your mind wanders, you’re not “doing it wrong”, noticing when it wanders is the entire point of the practice.
4. Meditation is a tool.
And there is a toolbox full of different techniques, methods and teachings that will help you overcome whatever it is you need right now.
5. Specifics don’t matter.
It doesn’t matter whether you sit down, lie down, use headphones or not, play music or listen to a guided class…
Just do whatever works for you in the moment.
6. There’s only one today, but infinite tomorrows
Whenever I’ve wanted to start a new meditation program, I’ve always put off starting for weeks.
You can start tomorrow forever, but you can only start today once.
7. It’s simple, but nobody does it.
“If it was as simple as sitting down and doing nothing for 10 minutes then everyone would do it”
It is that simple, but most people just don't believe it is.
Tldr:
1. Start simple.
2. Some days are easier than others.
3. You can’t do it “wrong”.
4. Meditation is a tool.
5. Specifics don’t matter.
6. There’s only one today, but infinite tomorrows
7. It’s simple, but nobody does it.
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u/CampingGeek2002 18h ago
I am 41 year old female who's been meditiating since I was 25. I also have ADHD and OCD. Meditation, mindfulness, and deep breathing exercises have really helped me cope with ADHD and OCD.
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u/Reasonable_Yard_1521 22h ago
This is it. You said it all. My experience with meditation has been very much along these points, and when you practice a length of time and can attest to the aforementioned, I don’t think you ‘get better’ so much as gain insights and some wisdom along the way.