Meditation. The Mind. The Mountain.

Why meditate? What if we viewed meditation as a hike up a big mountain? So in this case, the mind is the mountain and we are walking up its slopes to learn more about how it works, in order to master it. The path isn’t marked unless perhaps you have a guide or teacher but you’ve heard about the beautiful vistas along the way. You know that the peak at the top is sometimes visible depending on the moody weather. With curiosity and determination you set off on the path to reach the peak. 

Here’s what you can expect. Most of the walk is monotonous. Slow, difficult, with wrong turns and frustration. Over boulders and tree roots. Stuck in the dark of the brush for hours at a time. But you continue. Eventually a clearing in the trees materializes and you remember why you’re walking. The daily practice of meditation is the same thing. Waking up early (or whenever you choose to practice), sitting on your chair or cushion trying to quiet your mind. As much as you are hoping for a deep, illuminating, insightful sitting, most of the time your timer will sound and you’ll feel let down. Many will turn back and give up on the practice. But, with determination you continue. 

Walking further you reach a higher elevation. The trees and birds are different. The ground moisture has changed. It’s colder. You’re hungry. Legs are tired. Feet are sore. But you’d still have to walk down if you turn back and you wouldn’t get anywhere if you stop to rest. You continue walking now focused on each step, and following your breath - the excited conversations from the bottom of the hill now long gone. Everyone is hungry, tired, and forced to focus. That is the other part of mediation the health columnists and social media gurus conveniently skip over. As with hiking or any sport, business, endurance pursuit, or relationship for that matter. If you care enough, you’ll keep going even when it’s really hard and everything hurts. Begin again. 

How does one start to meditate? You simply find time and space to practice, and do it. You could read a book, try one of the many apps, join a mediation group, attend a Buddhist Sangha, or work with a coach or teacher 1:1. Most importantly you just have to do it. There are many ways to meditate and it may take time to find the approach that works best for you or to rule out the ways that don’t. One of my teachers wrote a book on meditation to help new meditators build a protocol for their lifestyle and disposition. He categorizes the many meditation techniques from Yoga and various spiritual-contemplative traditions into six major approaches: breath, mindfulness, mantra, contemplative inquiry, prayer, and visualization. Trying some different approaches and techniques in the beginning is best until you find something you connect with. Be patient. Your practice will change and evolve over time. Work with a trusted teacher or group to support your efforts. 

Back on the mountain… Through the pain, eventually there comes a point when the sky becomes clear and you’re above the trees. The walk is easier in some ways, and harder in others but you’re inspired now that you’ve come this far. You feel like you’re walking on another planet. You’re in a new ecosystem and perhaps noticing the altitude in your breathing. The body’s aches and pains begin to dissolve. You start to feel joy as the peak is within reach. 

In the Flow State Men’s Group that I facilitate, we actively support each other in crafting our individual meditation plans with care and providing accountability to one another. The guys will all use different methods and practice will look different for each individual. We honor each other’s approach and respect where everyone is in their process. We begin again, again and again.