Understand and internalize the fundamental truth that the mind is trainable, recognizing this as “good news” that empowers you to actively work on changing your mental patterns and experiences.
Approach happiness not as a mere choice, but as a muscle that needs to be consistently cultivated and strengthened so you can reliably tap into it even when external circumstances are unfavorable.
Engage in meditation to enhance your intuition and make your “still small voice” loud and unambiguous, which can empower you to take risks and follow your inner guidance more confidently.
Cultivate comfort from within yourself, recognizing that external circumstances are impermanent; by tapping into and expanding this inner comfort, you can be at ease anywhere and navigate life’s uncertainties.
Do not view meditation or life as a “game of perfection”; instead, embrace the ongoing process of self-improvement, seek support like therapy, and work on relationships without the pressure of having everything “figured out.”
Disregard the notion of being “bad” at meditation; instead, understand that getting distracted multiple times is a normal and expected part of the practice, particularly in mindfulness meditation.
The most effective meditation practice is the one you actually do consistently, so choose a style that resonates with you and that you find enjoyable, as long as it’s not harmful.
When trying a new meditation style, commit to practicing it consistently for several months, or even up to a year, before deciding if it is effective for you.
Practice meditation to develop a clearer sense of what is “ego noise” versus what is “actually true” in your thoughts, which can help you make better career decisions.
Engage in meditation to boost your sense of calm and focus, helping you “surf” powerful emotions related to career changes (identity, finances) rather than being “engulfed by them.”
Practice mindfulness to develop self-awareness, enabling you to recognize anger at its onset, which allows you to catch yourself, apologize if needed, and let the emotion pass, rather than acting in prolonged blind rage.
In Vedic meditation, use a mantra passively, thinking it silently without intense focus, allowing it to initiate a settling effect on the mind rather than trying to stop other thoughts or exclude other experiences.
Begin mantra-based meditation with minimal effort, understanding that your mind will gradually become less dependent on the mantra as it learns to settle on its own, potentially leading to meditations without conscious mantra repetition.
During Vedic meditation, allow your mind to settle and meander naturally, experiencing thoughts, dreams, or even feeling like you’re falling asleep, without actively trying to stop or control these occurrences.
When practicing Vedic meditation, sit comfortably with back support, similar to watching television, to prevent your body from becoming a distraction and allow your mind to settle.
To maximize the relaxation response, limit your meditation sessions to approximately 20 minutes, as going beyond 20-30 minutes may cause your body to revert back to a waking state of consciousness.
Aim to integrate the “spaciousness” gained from meditation into your daily life, particularly in challenging personal interactions like talking with family, as this signifies a deeper level of practice.
As an “ordinary” person with a regular meditation practice, understand that your example can be more inspiring and relatable to your social circle than that of a professional teacher, encouraging others to try it.
Be authentic and transparent about your personal struggles and imperfections, as this makes practices more accessible and inspires others to engage with them.
When facing big decisions, such as a career change, actively seek out and listen to advice from people you trust.
If you are undecided between different meditation styles, such as Transcendental Meditation or mindfulness, it is worthwhile to try both to see which one resonates more with you.
While a teacher is beneficial for understanding the nuances of meditation, you can gain initial exposure and have tangible experiences by learning from a book, making the practice more accessible.
To fully understand and optimize your meditation, pay attention to every detail of the practice, including your sitting posture, timing, and how you handle various thoughts, as these factors significantly affect your internal experience.
Do not blindly accept meditation instructions; instead, follow them, “split test” them against your previous methods, and observe your direct experience to determine if they work for you, continuing if effective and trying alternatives if not.