Mudita Journal

On Meditating Regularly

January 3, 2004 · Filed under: Buddhism, Eckhart Tolle, Meditation
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This arrived today in my inbox:

Some days, due to my schedule, I find it very difficult to meditate (I normally meditate for 20 minutes twice per day).

Should I just not worry about it and try to do the two meditations the next day, or should I try to sit down and meditate for 5 minutes, or however long I have time for?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I have a few suggestions.

First, your idea — about not worrying and resuming your regular meditation schedule the next day — sounds to me like a good one. (Introducing worry seldom contributes to successful meditation practice, in my experience. Meditation should be a source of equanimity, not worry.)

In general, the purpose of meditation is to foster healthy qualities of mind that can be carried with you throughout your life. When you first begin meditating, there’s often a real dichotomy between what you experience on the cushion and what you experience during the rest of the day. But as you practice, you want to start bringing those calm states of mind to your daily activities.

This relates to your question, because the things that you can do to bring mindfulness to your day-to-day activities are also the things you can do when you have to skip a sitting. These include mindful walking, sitting, driving, eating, etc.

Each of these acitivities is an art unto itself, to some extent. But the general idea is — whatever you’re doing, do it with your full attention. Don’t rush (or if you do, then know that you’re rushing while you’re rushing), and don’t allow yourself to become lost in thought, thinking about other things.

In my own practice, I have come to particularly enjoy mindful driving, because this is the time when I listen to Eckhart Tolle’s audio recordings. This is often the most productive part of my day, in terms of my spiritual growth. I recommend it highly to anyone who is trying to cultivate more mindfulness in day-to-day life.

I hope these answers are helpful. Regardless, don’t view me or anyone else as the authority on what you “should” do in your meditation practice. Experiment and see what works for you. Good luck!

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