| There are some basic mistakes that people make | | | | keep our focus on the intent for meditation which |
| when they are beginning their practise of | | | | is ultimately to get to a stage of the gap |
| meditation. You will find the top 7 mistakes listed | | | | between thoughts. |
| below. | | | | 5. Time- It is important to devote a short time to |
| 1. Regularity- People don't set aside a time | | | | meditate in the beginning. Setting unrealistic goals |
| everyday to meditate. Being consistent with your | | | | for meditating for one or two hours each day is a |
| practice is key. | | | | recipe for failure. It is a good practice to start |
| 2. Expectations- There are many expectations | | | | with short times like 20 minutes and then move |
| attached with the practice of meditation. The | | | | on to longer periods. As you stabilize in your |
| novice on the path wants to experience a deep | | | | practice and start to notice the benefits you will |
| meditative state of no thoughts. Maybe they are | | | | automatically want to practice for longer periods. |
| looking for visions, light, colours, smells. All these | | | | 6. Meditation Shopper- There is a trend to jump |
| experiences are a by product of your practice. | | | | from one technique to another without gaining |
| One should not attach too much importance to it. | | | | mastery over anything. It is desirable to practice |
| 3. Giving up too soon- some people are not able | | | | one technique for some time before moving to |
| to quiet their mind in the beginning. They are | | | | the next one. "Jack of all trades, master of none," |
| caught in the ceaseless cycle of thoughts. It is | | | | describes it perfectly. |
| necessary to understand that every meditator | | | | 7. Comfort- People don't sit in a comfortable |
| goes through this. One needs to train our mind to | | | | position. They attempt to get into the Lotus Pose |
| step into the practice of focusing our attention | | | | or any other difficult pose when they are |
| either on the breath or the mantra (word) which | | | | beginning. While the benefits of these poses are |
| we are chanting. Even being able to do it for just | | | | many, if you are uncomfortable while sitting for |
| a few seconds in the beginning is a great start | | | | meditation, your mind will be distracted and you |
| and will reap rich dividends. | | | | will not be able to develop the focus required for |
| 4. Being Distracted- some people start to see | | | | meditation. |
| visions, colours and smells early on in their | | | | Resolving these mistakes can enhance your |
| practice. While this may be really fascinating, its | | | | meditation practice significantly. |
| easy to get stuck in this stage. Its important to | | | | |