Another Newbie

[Jenna]

Hi All

I am new to the forum (thanks Gareth!) but have been practicising mindfulness for a few weeks now. I am not doing any formal programmes or anything but do try to do a mindfulness meditation for at least 3 minutes per day. I focus on observing my negative thoughts. My negative thoughts have always been a problem for me.

I also try to practice Broadband consciousness and realise that I am not the negative thoughts. The 2 schools of thought are very much interlinked.

So I guess my question is is doing only 3 minutes formal practice a day enough (I still find this challenging) although I do try and notice my thoughts throughout the day.

Have a mindful day everyone.

Thanks

Jen

[JonW]

Hi Jenna,
Welcome to the group.
I would say that whatever feels right for you in terms of formal practice, that's enough.
You might find that it changes and that it feels right to sit for longer as time goes on.
All good things, Jon

[Jenna]

Thanks Jon. Struggling with frustration and anger right now but accepting it and realising that at least a loved one is safe and no one was hurt/

[JonW]

When starting out I found the guided meditations to be enormously helpful. The eight-week course as a whole was a wonderful adventure.
I've been meditating for four months now. Negative, troubling thoughts still arise but I find them so much easier to deal with. By accepting them, even welcoming them, it's as though their power is taken away, or as least diminished somewhat.
Just knowing that this is possible makes my life so much easier.

[FeeHutch]

Welcome to our community Jenna
I look forward to sharing the journey with you.
Fee

[rara]

Hey hey! Yes, just do what you can...it's to help YOU after all...so only YOU can say whether it was enough or not!

[Gareth]

Hi.

Really glad that you could make it. When I started meditating, I used to do just five minutes a day, because like you say, this is a difficult and alien thing to do at first. I added a minute whenever I felt ready, and I eventually arrived at 30 minutes, which is where I am now. It feels about the right length of time for me; I have been on an even keel for a considerable length of time now.

Good luck with your journey. We will be with you all the way.