Meditation practice (sitting quietly and observing the breath) is becoming more and more mainstream as study after study reveals the enormous benefits to the meditator and the communities they live in.
Beginning a practice, and perhaps more importantly, continuing it regularly, can be tricky to achieve. I've heard it said that seeking happiness through quietening the mind is almost the opposite of seeking pleasure.
With pleasure seeking, the reward is instant, and often the price comes later in the form of a hangover, credit card bill etc. In the case of meditation, we really only start to experience the benefits after we've engaged in some regular practice.
Until we've established a regular routine it's often tempting to put off meditating and to go and do something with an instant reward. The sense of peace and happiness which arises through regular meditation however, cannot begin to compare with the fleeting pleasures we may experience in other activities. Even 10 or 20 minutes a day can make a large difference to the quality of our lives.
The meditation advent calendar
Here's an idea, as it's the beginning of December why not go out and buy an advent calendar. Then make a commitment to spend 10 minutes practicing meditation before opening the advent calendar door each day.
Opening the advent calendar can act as a metaphor for opening the door to our mind, and of course, chocolate tastes so much better when we eat it with full awareness. Looking back at all those open doors as the days pass we can be reminded of how many doors to the mind we've opened and be encouraged to continue.
By the time Christmas comes we'll have already established our meditation practice and be ready to start the new year in a more peaceful, open and happy state.
Once awareness has been tasted it's something very difficult to forget!
Image courtesy of Aesop
