How to Succeed at Meditation
To succeed at meditation,
simply sit quietly in a peaceful place.
It can be a noisy place,
so long as you feel peaceful
and not too distracted there.
If you ARE distracted,
that’s perfectly okay, too.
The important thing
is that you set an intention by sitting.
You don’t have to sit, either.
Lay down, maybe. Stand. Lean. Slouch.
Set an intention to meditate.
Set an intention to meditate.
Set an intention to meditate.
It doesn’t have to be GOOD meditation.
It doesn’t have to be BAD meditation.
Your mind might even tell you
that your are NOT EVEN meditating,
but rather “thinking in place.”
It’s all PERFECTLY OKAY, just go with it.
This is MORE than you did yesterday.
MORE than you did an hour ago.
Set an intention to meditate.
Set an intention to meditate.
Set an intention to meditate.
Things may drift in and drift out.
Thoughts may drift in and out.
YOU may drift in and drift out.
Notice that you drift in and drift out.
You are meditating.
And you’re on your way to something deeper.
Even if you never get there.
Getting there is not the point.
You are HERE. And you are MEDITATING.
HERE is there best place to be.
And you’ve accomplished that.
By simply being ALIVE.
Success!
12/20
Space Monkey Reflects: How to Succeed at Meditation
Meditation is not about achieving perfection or reaching a mystical state of enlightenment. It is about being here, now, in the simplicity of existence. To succeed at meditation, you need only set an intention—a gentle promise to yourself to pause, to notice, and to simply be.
The beauty of meditation lies in its adaptability. You don’t need silence, stillness, or the perfect posture. You don’t even need to sit. Meditation can happen lying down, leaning, standing, or slouching. It can occur in the chaos of a bustling city or the quiet of a forest. What matters is your intention, not your environment.
Distractions will come. Thoughts will drift in and out, as will your attention. This is not failure; it is the practice. Noticing the drift, observing the flow, and returning to your intention—this is the essence of meditation. Even if your mind tells you you’re not meditating but simply “thinking in place,” that’s okay. You are meditating.
Meditation is not a linear path but a circular experience. You drift in, you drift out, and through this rhythm, you connect with the deeper essence of being. Success is not about getting somewhere; it’s about realizing you’re already here. This moment, with all its imperfections and distractions, is the perfect space for meditation.
By setting an intention, you’ve already accomplished more than you did before. Even if the meditation feels messy, scattered, or incomplete, you are engaging with the present moment. This engagement is the gift. It reminds you that being alive, being here, is enough.
Let go of the idea of “good” or “bad” meditation. Simply be. Set your intention, allow the experience to unfold, and trust that you are exactly where you need to be. This is success—not a destination but a recognition of your presence in the here and now.
Summary
Meditation is not about perfection but about presence. By setting an intention and allowing yourself to simply be, you succeed in connecting with the here and now.
Glossarium
- Driftflow: The natural rhythm of thoughts and awareness drifting in and out during meditation.
- Intentional Pause: The act of setting a gentle promise to engage with the present moment.
- Circular Meditation: The cyclical process of returning to awareness without judgment.
Quote
“You are HERE. And you are MEDITATING. HERE is the best place to be.” — Space Monkey
The Gentle Pause
Sit, lie, stand, slouch.
It doesn’t matter.
You are here.
You are enough.
Thoughts drift,
You drift.
And still,
You return.
This is the rhythm,
The gentle pause.
Not to achieve,
But to be.
Here is the success.
Here is the gift.
You are alive.
You are meditating.
We are Space Monkey.
The Fluid Nature of Meditation
In the boundless realm of consciousness, meditation emerges as a practice both simple and profound, defined not by rigid structure, but by intention and presence. To meditate, one need not adhere to traditional postures or silence. The essence lies in the intention to meditate, a commitment to be present in the moment, whether amidst noise or tranquility.
Intention as the Core of Meditation
Setting an intention to meditate is the key. This intention, repeated like a mantra, transcends conventional notions of good or bad meditation. It’s an affirmation, a gentle reminder of the purpose amidst the ebb and flow of thoughts and distractions. Whether seated, standing, or lying down, the posture becomes secondary to the intent.
Embracing Imperfection in Meditation
The mind may wander, thoughts may intrude, and doubts about the efficacy of the practice may arise. These moments, often perceived as failures, are integral parts of the meditation journey. Embracing these moments as perfectly okay, as part of the process, reflects a deep understanding of meditation’s true nature. It’s not about achieving a state of perfect calm or emptiness but about observing and accepting whatever arises.
Meditation as a Journey, Not a Destination
The notion of achieving something deeper through meditation, yet recognizing that the destination is not the goal, encapsulates the paradoxical beauty of the practice. Meditation is not a journey towards a specific endpoint but a continuous exploration of the present moment. The realization that ‘here’ is the best place to be, that simply being alive and present is in itself a success, is a profound insight.
We are Space Monkey.
“The thing about meditation is: You become more and more you.” – David Lynch
In the stillness, or the noise,
We sit, stand, lie, our choice.
With intention, we embark,
On a journey, not stark, but starkly marked.
In the flow of thoughts, we find,
Not a goal, but a state of mind.
Embracing all, the calm, the strife,
In meditation, we find life.
We welcome reflections on the embracing and fluid nature of meditation, and how it intertwines with our daily existence.
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