How to progress with Meditation (Hint. Do the opposite)
If you've been to one of my or a Soul Alive session, you would have noticed that each session follows a consistent flow...
a breathing exercise to calm the body and focus the mind > a body detachment process to shed our shell and allow our true essence to come alive > connection to the universal source i.e. the present moment
This is for two very important and deliberate reasons.
1. It is the most effective method I have come across to 'detach & connect' (Detach from our constant internal dialogue and connect to REAL life).
2. (and this is the big one) Progression with meditation actually comes by taking the opposite approach to how we advance in other areas of our lives. For example, in our fitness and career, progression is usually associated with 'advanced' levels (attaining a promotion, trying a harder workout routine). Whereas growth in meditation comes by actually letting go or stepping back a little more with a consistent process you enjoy.
Take for example a Buddhist monk who mediates every day. They do not try a new type of mediation every day or search for more ‘advanced’ types of meditation. Their daily practice stays solid and consistent as they know the magic lies in the depth & discipline of the practice.
Another way to look at it is like having your favourite meal a couple of times a week. You wouldn't change it for the world! It's something you look forward to every time. I like to see the Soul Alive meditation sessions as something similar 😊
What you will begin to notice though is that even though each session follows a consistent flow, your experience/feelings will vary from session to session. Sometimes post-session you might feel a blissful calmness. Other times energised & focused. Sometimes you mightn't feel much at all, right through to completely breaking down. All of which is completely natural and common. This is the beauty of simply opening yourself up to the moment. Even though you might have gone through the exact same process a couple of days ago, this particular session might have really hit you.
I promise you that the more willing you are to let go, almost to the point of forgetting why you’re meditating, the more your mind, body and spirit will begin to open up to let the magic of the moment guide your life.
Much love 💛
Luke