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A real breakthrough with meditation

                Last week I posted an article that I had written in April of last year.  In it, I explained how my new journey in meditation was going and described what I thought of as a breakthrough.  In it, I explained that I had started with only a few breathing cycles and was building up duration and was up to 3 minutes.  I was really proud of myself, and I had every right to be.  Now, almost a year later, still working on improving my meditation I had what I can sincerely describe as a true breakthrough.
                I am currently up to 12 minutes almost every morning.  If I am unable to meditate before my girls are up and my opportunity for focus has evaporated, I take the time to meditate at the office.  I sit on my adjusting table and do the same thing I’d do at home.  I sit on the floor at home, I cross my legs and I touch my thumb and index finger (not sure why, but all the movies portray it as such, so I do the same). 
                I had previously tried focusing on my breath and I was getting frustrated how much my mind would wander.  Then I made an imaginary guide who told me to focus on her voice.  More recently I have been focusing on my breath and my chakras at the same time, in a new-agey attempt at growing as a person.  The chakra strategy has been very effective for keeping my mind from wandering, but it still wanders. 
                Like I said, I was getting frustrated at my loss of concentration and feeling as though I was failing.  That is until I started on my “26 books read in 2018” (I just finished book 5 as I write this).  Many of the books on my reading list are personal growth books.  And 2 different authors have not provided me with the best breakthrough yet.  YOUR MIND WILL ALWAYS WANDER!  I hadn’t realized this.  The trick is to NOT get frustrated, but instead come back to your mantra.  The mantra is what you are using to focus on the present; some use the word “Om” from Hinduism.  Some focus on their breathing.  Some focus on their breathing.  Others still focus on a power statement.  While, I am actually rather fond of visualizing drawing energy into my chakras (don’t know if that’s ok…. don’t really care… I acknowledge it’s kind of weird, and I’m ok with that). 
                To tie both articles together, many of the most successful people in the world meditate.  Taking the time to focus on the present and allow the past and future to stay away for a short time helps with anxiety, depression, and allows us to practice being present, which only stands to strengthen our relationships with others.  You don’t have to start at 20 minutes, I recommend three to start.  The duration is less important than the habit of doing it.  And remember, you mind will wander, and that’s ok.  The key to meditation is catching yourself leaving the present and gently refocusing and forgiving yourself.  I sincerely hope you will give it a try.

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Location: Elk River, MN 55330, USA

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