Starting and Maintaining a New Year's Resolution for Meditation Practice

Happy New Year!

Many of you will have made your New Year's resolutions by now to either begin or re-commit to a meditation practice.

Beginning and maintaining a consistent meditation practice can be challenging, but the rewards are plentiful, from reduced stress and anxiety to improved focus and self-awareness. Here are some steps you can take to keep your meditation practice thriving:

1. Start small and build gradually. Aim for just 5-10 minutes of meditation per day, and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable. It's better to stick with shorter, regular sessions than to attempt longer ones infrequently.

2. Find a quiet and comfortable space. Choose a place where you won't be interrupted and where you can relax. It could be a corner of your bedroom, a park bench, or even your office chair (if it's quiet).

3. Set a routine and stick to it. Decide on a specific time each day for your meditation practice, and try your best to stick to it. This will help to make meditation a regular habit.

4. Use a meditation timer. A timer can help you stay focused and avoid getting lost in thought. There are many free meditation timer apps available, or you can use a simple kitchen timer.

5. Be gentle with yourself. Don't get discouraged if your mind wanders during meditation. This is perfectly normal! Just gently bring your attention back to your breath or your mantra.

6. Experiment with different types of meditation. There are many different types of meditation, so find one that you enjoy and that works for you. Some popular types of meditation include mindfulness meditation, mantra meditation, and loving-kindness meditation.

7. Track your progress. Keep a journal to track your meditation practice. This can help you to see how you're progressing and to identify any areas where you can improve.

8. Find a meditation buddy. Having a friend or family member to meditate with can help you to stay motivated. You can also join a meditation group or class.

9. Reward yourself. When you reach a milestone in your meditation practice, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help to keep you motivated.

10. Be patient. Meditation is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately. Just keep practicing, and eventually you will start to experience the benefits of meditation.

Here are some additional tips for maintaining a meditation practice:

• Create a meditation ritual. This could involve lighting a candle, putting on some calming music, or doing some gentle stretches.
• Use meditation apps or guided meditations. There are many great meditation apps and guided meditations available that can help you to get started and stay on track.
• Read books and articles about meditation. There are many great books and articles available about meditation that can provide you with inspiration and guidance.
• Talk to a meditation teacher. A meditation teacher can help you to learn more about meditation and to develop your practice.

Remember, the most important thing is to find a way to meditate that works for you and that you enjoy. The more you enjoy your meditation practice, the more likely you are to stick with it.

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I hope this is helpful but please let me know if you have any other questions or thoughts.

Sincerely Yours, Jay

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