Who Are You, and What Are You?

Some new meditation students get bored—and then quit practicing before they get any of the benefits. Why? Chiefly because nothing happens.

In these modern times, people are so focused on and accustomed to instant gratification, they are immediately disappointed when they don’t get something right away. If that’s the case with you, then make a major attitude shift. Coach yourself to understand and accept the notion that inner development is a long-term process. Make it part of your lifestyle. Resolve to establish a consistent, faithful practice over the long haul—ideally, for the rest of your life. You have no way of predicting when you will begin receiving benefits.

Also, when you view boredom from a different perspective, you might see it as a beautiful experience of peace and quiet. If you drop the expectation that something will happen, the simple joy of hanging inert in silent nothingness can be a wonderful change-up to a busy, harried life.

For example, if you come in from a day of work and your body is tired and cold, and you slide into a tub of warm bath water, nothing really “happens,” right? No drum rolls, flashing lights, or marching bands are necessary. It’s just a quiet, warm, soothing bath where you can simply be without worry or tension for a while. Zen meditation is very much the same. It’s a time to give your mind a rest and do nothing. Everything stops. Zen meditation charges your batteries—in some cases even better than sleep.