Many readers write to us who wish to begin a regular practice but have trouble finding the motivation to instill a daily habit. It can be challenging to incorporate a regular habit of meditation into a routine. There's no miracle cure, but a change of mindset can help.
One suggestion is not to think of it as a "forever" daily routine, but try committing just for one week, or perhaps two. Pick a certain time each day to listen, perhaps right after awakening, or just before bedtime. Some prefer to start with the shorter 20-minute versions of our recordings such as Heart Presence, Whole States or our free download.
Tell yourself you're doing a temporary program like when you might attend a week-long or weekend retreat. After the set time period, take a few days break and decide if you want to enter your program again. You could try having different goals for each self-invented program, like a specific intention related to a current project.
Or, commit to mastery of one of the breathing methods included with our recordings such as Heart Presence or Heart Center 2. Practice those same breathing techniques outside of listening when you think of it - even while standing in a line or sitting in a meeting that doesn't require your undivided attention.
When you're in a meditative state, ask yourself what it is that keeps you from making the time on a daily basis. There may be a blockage or self-limiting belief somewhere in your psyche. You could try envisioning yourself as a master meditator, who already has a daily habit. You could also pose questions and await answers in your meditative state. Having a plan like this sometimes gives the time commitment more purpose than simply relaxing and quieting the mind.
With some thought, you could think of many ways to inspire yourself for at least a short-term daily practice. And if you get off track, don't beat yourself up. Just think of it as a break. These experiences are cumulative and you won't be starting over from the beginning each time.
You may also find benefit from the free email course, Your 33 Day Journey into the Heart of Consciousness, where participants from around the world post their experiences and advice to others. Each daily email includes an experiential practice along with other useful information.
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Knowing how to maintain a core sense of presence and balance creates a foundation of strength to move from empathy to compassion, and at your finest, altruism, when you take action to help another without concern for yourself.
Karen Newell
Author
co-founder of Sacred Acoustics and co-author of Living in a Mindful Universe