Does everybody have something to gain from meditation?

[Gareth]

I posted this from my personal Twitter account earlier:

I wish people could know how much better their life could be if they just turned a little bit of the TV watching into meditation.

And somebody replied to me saying that meditation doesn't work for everyone.

I wonder what your thoughts are on this? My own personal instincts are that almost everybody has something to gain from the practice. The potential benefits are so vast and wide-ranging.

Every mind is different however. And maybe there are some upon which meditation has little effect?

[Peter]

I couldn't agree more, Gareth. The benefits may not be the same for everyone, but probably the people that resist to it the most would also be the ones that would benefit the most.

Alas, none of my 'attempts' to convince some people to try it have worked. I've pretty much decided that I won't try it anymore. Jon Kabat-Zinn wrote in his books that one shouldn't really talk about it at all to the 'out crowd'. I'm not saying that I agree with that. Just a fun fact.

Peter

[JonW]

Timing is everything though, isn't it?
If you'd told me four years ago that meditation would be central to my life I'd have assumed you were stark raving bonkers.
It's not taught, it's caught.
JW

[Peter]

I agree, Jon. And one has to be pretty open minded I suppose.

Peter

[FeeHutch]

I think it is fair to say it's not for everyone.
I was reading in (I think) my professional therapy journal recently about the fact that for some people with deep psychological distress mindfulness could actually be counter productive. We have posted before when members talk about being deeply depressed or otherwise struggling with mental illness that perhaps right now mindfulness might not be appropriate.
If I can find a link later (after work) I will do. I am investigating further training so I can offer mindfulness as part of therapy but it is something I have to be very mindful ( ) of.

[JonW]

"I am investigating further training so I can offer mindfulness as part of therapy but it is something I have to be very mindful ( ) of."

I have a friend who does just that, Fee. Let me know if you need any pointers.
Cheers,
Jon, Hove

[FeeHutch]

Point away Jon

[jdandre]

And somebody replied to me saying that meditation doesn't work for everyone.

It depends on what this person means by "works," which will - most likely - lead us down the rabbit hole of misconceptions:

1.) My mind is too busy - I can't meditate.
2.) Meditation doesn't make me relaxed.
3.) Meditation cuts me off from the world and makes me indifferent.

These are just a few - the list of misconceptions is long.

So you always have to start with what meditation is (and, what it isn't). To be as simple as possible, meditation is cultivating awareness of what your mind is doing. If you develop a consistent practice and learn to apply the skill you develop to your "non-meditating" time, the awareness you cultivate will help you break out of conditioned behavior that causes you to suffer: "knee-jerk" reactions, stress, anxiety, unskillful actions and reactions, etc.

So, meditation does "work for everyone." But, they need to have a proper understanding of what it is and proper instruction on how to do it and apply it. That's where the challenge comes in. Misconceptions are numerous, bad instruction is prevalent.

But, if you get past that, there isn't anyone who can't benefit. In my opinion, based on my experience.

[JonW]

Welcome back, The Other Jon.
Cheers,
The Other Other Jon.

[Happyogababe]

If my experience is anything to go by mindfulness meditation makes subtle and very noticeable changes (for the better) and (also in my experience) fast.

I began mindfulness because of ill health, I just kind of got drawn to it, very much. I suppose originally I hoped for the goal of feeling relaxed, peaceful and for my body to begin to heal. I did get some of those things happening, but the first time around I didn't 'click' with 'just being' and 'accepting' throughout the day and during meditation and I was still in a very self judging/analysing stage.

I got very unwell again (relapsed) and also got pneumonia so everything went out the window, though I have to say that my practice had been very hit and miss due to me not 'getting' it. Like the body scan (for example) I used to find it a chore and be so reluctant to do it and 45 minutes seemed so long, now....the difference is unbelievable, I love the body scan and can't wait to do it and am so disappointed when it ends.

I know the thing that has made a difference for me this time around is that I remember to stop every so often during the day and connect with my breath and body or simply look at what nature has to offer and have mini meditations. I meditate when I walk about and when I eat and so on.

I still have distractive/entertaining/tantalising thoughts that tempt me and sometimes I succumb for a while, but then I become aware and I let it go. I name it if it's particularly strong and that seems to help. For the most part, though, my mind is calm and that is an awesome feeling, believe me.

I think what I'm trying to say, in a rather disjointed way, is that meditation/mindfulness is now absolutely spot on for me and I understand it much better, I am ready for it now. Years ago maybe the time wasn't quite right but I'm so glad that I discovered it so that I could develop it when I was ready.

I can't imagine any other way to live now