How to Master Your Meditation Practice
Written by Susan Carabello, Spiritual Teacher and Coach
Susan Carabello, Spiritual Teacher and Coach, guides women who feel disconnected from their inner wisdom using meditation, so they can live life with confidence, clarity and purpose.
If you had told me 8 years ago that meditation was the magic potion that would one day change my life, I would have laughed in your face. Something so simple yet easily accessible every day is the one thing that can change everything. I did not believe it could work, and I was very hesitant about trying.
My idea of meditation was wearing a headset and listening to meditative music while doom-scrolling through Facebook. Yes, I tried it, and no, it did not work.
I also tried walking meditations while blaring soft pop music through my headphones. It was a little better, but I found myself singing along to whatever song was in the queue, making it counterproductive. I would meditate before bed, which would last about two minutes, before calling it a night and falling asleep.
My meditation practice was not really a practice. It felt forced, and when you force your energy (in any situation), your energy becomes chaotic and unsettled. In essence, I was fighting to calm my mind down, which is the whole idea behind meditation.
No matter how hard I tried, my mind was not ready to meditate. I was forcing it into uncharted waters and my mind was resisting this new thing I was introducing. Like anything new, our minds begin to question the unknown and resist what is unfamiliar.
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The practice of meditation
Meditation is a practice, but over time, it can also be your state of being.
Meditation is quieting the mind and removing distractions to achieve clarity, calm, and awareness. This is done through structured practice that involves setting aside time and creating space to focus and relax the mind. Regular practice can help you achieve this calm and well-being more easily.
Alternatively, meditation can also become a part of your state of being. Through consistent and dedicated practice, it can naturally become who you are: clear, peaceful, and centered. This means you can achieve calm and balance in everyday situations, not just by sitting on a yoga mat or going for a walk.
Meditation requires practice to become your state of being, especially if you have never done it before. Like anything new, you do not just wake up one day and decide, "Today, I am a meditation master without ever doing it before." It's possible, but to be great at anything requires practice, discipline, and consistency.
In order to really master it, you need to learn how to quiet the mind, observe your thoughts, observe your breathing and how it moves in certain situations, and grow through the uncomfortableness.
With that in mind, if you have never practiced it before, your body may actually reject it. It sounds odd, but it may feel incredibly uncomfortable if you are not used to quieting your mind or sitting still. You may also experience unwelcome thoughts flooding your mind as your body and mind begin to silence. The physical practice of sitting still may also cause the body to react, making it harder to engage in meditation.
Let’s not forget that it can also stir up emotional resistance. If you are not ready to feel this, your body may resist the meditation practice, making it more challenging to start. Like any new skill, it takes time to master it, but do not give up after the first try. Once you master it, it becomes who you are.
Five ways you can become a meditation master
1. Consistency
Meditation requires practice and a regular routine. Dedicate time each day to building up your meditation practice, whether five minutes before bed or when you wake up.
Consistency, discipline, and dedication develop healthier habits and reinforce your commitment to yourself.
2. Start small
Begin with shorter sessions rather than long, intensive meditation sessions. Start with five minutes and gradually increase your sessions as you become more comfortable with the practice. This will lessen your feelings of overwhelm and can help you really embrace the practice of meditation.
3. Find a technique that works for you
Meditation is not a one-size-fits-all practice. You need to find a style and method that works for you. There are mindfulness meditations, loving-kindness meditations, gratitude meditations, walking meditations, and guided meditations. Finding the right practice for you is vital in creating a successful meditation practice.
4. Use an app or YouTube
Meditation does not require sitting in a class if you don't feel called to it. However, you may find a great app like Calm, Headspace, or a video on YouTube that helps you with meditation. These resources can offer insights and techniques that can help deepen your practice.
5. Be patient with yourself
This is the most essential way to become a meditation master. Be patient with yourself. It is okay if you don’t get it right the first time. Don’t judge yourself; instead, embrace the practice entirely. Progress takes time. Approach your practice with kindness toward yourself, knowing that it will improve with time and dedication. Get a calendar and mark it every day that you meditate. Celebrate each time you do it because you are building a practice for yourself that can change your life.
Start your journey today
Learning to meditate can feel overwhelming initially, which is okay. Take the first step and find a practice that works for you. Once you begin, you are on the road to mastering it. Listen to what your mind and body need as far as a meditation practice goes.
You may also be called to work with a private meditation coach who can guide you. If this sounds like you, book your coaching call today. It would be my honor to assist you in your journey with meditation.
Let’s work together to develop your practice so that you can live your life with the confidence, clarity, and purpose you have always wanted.
Read more from Susan Carabello
Susan Carabello, Spiritual Teacher and Coach
Susan Carabello is a Spiritual Teacher and coach dedicated to helping women reconnect with their inner wisdom through meditation. Her goal is to empower them to live with confidence, clarity, and purpose. Susan has created the Renew Method of Manifestation, a signature five-step process designed to release energetic blocks and help individuals align with their true selves. As the founder of Dear Beautiful Soul LLC, an award-winning life coaching business based in Bucks County, PA, Susan is committed to guiding women on their transformational journeys.
