Suggested reading from Bliss More:
Read the rest of Chapter 2 (7 mins)
(Audiobook: Chapter 6)
"If you go to the gym and it's easy, you're probably cheating. And if you meditate and it's easy, you're either enlightened or you're dead."
That quote was from a well-meaning celebrity advocate of meditation who has only experienced the monk approach to meditation. This common misconception is held among many meditators.
But if this is what makes meditation hard
Then this is what it must take to allow meditation to be E.A.S.Y.
E stands for "embrace" the idea that thinking is normal
A stands for "accept" any and all thoughts in meditation
S stands for "surrender" to noises and distractions
Y stands for "yield" to anything else we may be tempted to resist
While there is not one "correct" approach to meditation...
Practically all styles of seated eyes-closed meditation lead to the same place. The only question is...
How hard do you want to work?
Today's Challenge:
Be E.A.S.Y. (scroll up to see what it stands for again) not just with thoughts, but with noises, distractions, sensations, and sleeping in meditation. Instructions:
Find a comfortable seat (no lying down)
Set a soft alarm for 15 minutes
Close your eyes
Be E.A.S.Y. with any- and everything
Stay relaxed in your posture
When the alarm goes off, you're done
Assessment
Now that we're covering the E.A.S.Y. approach to the meditation, how did it feel? If you dozed off, were you okay with that? If you had unrelated thoughts, did you see it as okay? Admittedly, this approach is easier said than done (pun intended), and each time you meditate, your experience will continue to feel even E.A.S.Y.(er).
Accountability Exercise
Post a photo or a video that represents something else in your life that you find easy. Could be riding a bike, making your bed, cooking, swimming, or anything really... Anything that maybe started off challenging, but became easy (and enjoyable) with time and practice. Make sure to tag #blissmore and #blissmorechallenge so we can follow your progress.
Sample accountability post
Day six of the Bliss More meditation challenge! I didn't learn how to swim until I was in my 30's. Not it's easy for me. And meditation is becoming E.A.S.Y. too. #blissmore #blissmorechallenge
Wanna get a head start on tomorrow's reading?
Read Chapter 3: Your Settling Sound (12 mins)
(Audiobook: Chapter 7)
(Follow #blissmore to see everyone’s progress)