Meditation is an excellent way to overcome stress, anxiety, and unwanted thoughts. It teaches you how to control your mind rather than just letting it work on autopilot as most people do. However, learning this skill takes time and it’s important to keep a few things in mind when you’re just getting started with meditation. This will lead to more realistic expectations and better outcomes.
1. What Meditation Is and Isn’t
Many people begin meditating without any idea of what they’re doing. They assume that meditating is just sitting cross-legged and thinking about nothing because that’s what they saw in a movie or TV show. The truth is, there is more to meditation than that.
For one thing, many types of meditation such as Vedic Meditation give you a mantra to help you focus your mind. You can think of a manta as a vehicle that guides your mind past your thoughts and into a state of greater stillness.
Ultimately meditation is about gaining greater awareness of your mind and thoughts so that you’re not weighed down by negative thoughts and memories with no control over them. This level of present-mindedness can eventually lead to transcendence, which is a state of perfect “no thought” in which you’re fully connected with your pure Being.
2. How Long it Takes Meditation to Work
Technically speaking, if you’re doing it right, meditation will work the very first time you do it. However, that usually isn’t what people mean when they ask how long does meditation take to work. What they’re asking is how long it takes them to reach the transcendence we mentioned earlier.
The answer to this isn’t so simple as it can vary from person to person. It can even be difficult to realize that you’ve reached a transcendent state because it is by its nature a state of no thought and it could happen at any time. That said, you can gain the benefits of meditation such as greater relaxation and less intrusive thoughts in less than a month after starting if you’re consistent. Some people even see these benefits in as little as a week after starting.
3. Meditation Has Physical Benefits
While meditation is most known for its mental benefits, it also has physical benefits as well. Some common physical benefits include better sleep, less pain, and lower blood pressure. A lot of this has to do with the fact that stress is incredibly harmful to the body and can contribute to major illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Since meditation helps you to lower your stress, it is only natural that it would produce physical health benefits as well.
4. Becoming the Best Version of You
One aspect that isn’t talked about as much when it comes to meditation is how it helps you to become a better version of yourself. This is because consistent meditation allows you to build inner fortitude and confidence that comes from a new level of present-mindedness and control over your thought process.
Many people who have started meditation exercises and stuck with it have given testimonials about how it has helped them to become better parents, lovers, or better at their occupation. This is because meditation unlocks your full potential and your true self as you journey toward having a transcendent experience.
5. Meditation Requires Consistency
This has been mentioned a few times now, but it is extremely important. Having the self-discipline to commit to a meditation schedule and not skip sessions is a vital part of improving as a person. Yes, sometimes life throws you curveballs, but missing even one session can derail the process and set you back on your journey. If you’re going to begin meditating, make sure that you fully commit to it. If you don’t, then don’t expect to see impressive results.
Getting Started with Meditation
The great thing about meditation is that you can get started instantly. It isn’t something that you need to put off for any reason. That said, meditation is oftentimes much more effective when you have the proper guidance. This will help you to develop healthy meditation techniques and habits. that you’ll be able to fully commit to so that you can enjoy all of the benefits that meditation has to offer.
