From Bad Med to Bed Med
It upsets me greatly when someone says: “I can’t meditate.”
If you have written off this ancient practice because it feels too daunting, please know that help is available. You may be a few tweaks away from being able to sit simply and receive enormous benefit.
There is a wonderful yoga teacher named Erich Schiffmann who calls his morning meditation “Bed Med.” He wakes up, hits the snooze button, and starts tuning in. I like this technique because you can roll over and engage without much ceremony. On the other hand, practices that require formalized training are great, too. They offer a solid roadmap with clear support.
There are so many ways to meditate: it might take some experimenting to find the one that’s right for you.
When someone says they are a bad meditator, I wonder if they are attempting rigorous practice before they establish a stable base. Tools and techniques that reduce mental agitation or sluggishness, soften anxiety or depression, and decrease physical tension are valuable in their own right. These preliminary practices relax the body and prepare the mind for formal meditation. Preliminary does not mean less: it means necessary, even essential, for a deeper dive into consciousness.
Being a bad meditator isn’t really possible, but if you are struggling with focus, concentration, and ease, you might need to back up and incorporate stretches and whole body relaxation techniques into your practice. You might also need to evaluate the mechanics of your sitting posture and basic lifestyle concerns like sleep and schedule to create supportive conditions for establishing a new routine.
If meditation is something that appeals to you, please don’t give up!
There is much to be gained in working with the mind. Even if you stop at the point of stabilizing yourself, the effort is well worth it. Relating to your own consciousness is an experience of tremendous value. For those of us who are more oriented to the mind part of the mind body connection, meditation can be a gateway to vast inner resources that can be surprising and supportive in these difficult times.
If meditation is something you would like to explore, there are a ton of resources available including me, especially if yogically-oriented meditation is your interest.