Total Newbie

[Janknitz]

I just wanted to introduce myself.

I am new to mindfulness meditation. The ironic thing is that I used to teach some simple meditation techniques to seniors in my former career as an occupational therapist and I have practiced some "relaxation techniques" but never true mindfulness meditation. I tried on my own and was always frustrated by the "monkey mind" that I could never seem to control (yes, I understand now the goal is NOT to control it, but that is a recent revelation to me).

I have a very stressful second career, VERY STRESSFUL and I'm being crushed by the stress. My mind is in disarray, the opposite of mindfulness, and it's starting to drag me down in my work and family life and health. I can't seem to "practice what I preach--I can't settle down into a relaxation meditation. I know that it's time to do something, and I think that mindfulness must be a way.

I just finished reading 10% Happier by Dan Harris. Dan is an ABC news anchor whose on stress almost cost him his career. He eventually came to meditation and struggled mightily with it. His book chronicles his exploration and struggles and gives practical suggestions on how to get started.

So I am beginning. I'm just starting with some very short mindfulness meditations focusing on breathing, based on the suggestions in his book. I've also downloaded an app with all kinds of guided meditations, but I'd like to start with a simple mindfulness practice of my own, and then in March I hope to get into an MBSR class through my local Kaiser so I can get some expert guidance. I will be reading more, too, as I go along, provided that I can find things that are less on the philosophical plane and more on the practical plane.

So far I've "sat on the cushion" twice for 5 and 7 minutes, respectively. So I'm just taking my first little baby steps. I know there's a long journey ahead, but I'm excited to take it. And looking forward to learning from you all here.

[Gareth]

Welcome to the forum!

I think that starting small is a good idea; I recently saw a graph which showed you you the amount of time that lifelong meditators started out at. I think for most, it was round about five minutes. That's how it was for me anyway. I started at five minutes a day, and added a minute whenever I felt ready. This approach has led me to my practice today which feels pretty solid at about half an hour a day, pretty religiously. Five minutes used to seem like such a long time back then!

Good luck in your journey, and remember that this is a journey; not a destination to arrive at. It can be pretty tricky at times too.

[Janknitz]

Thank you.

[FeeHutch]

Hello and welcome to our community!