Why Meditation Is Not Working for You and How to Fix It

Hi there!

You've landed here because you might be feeling meditation isn't quite working for you, or you're not seeing the benefits you expected. But before we dive into, why that might be happening, let's take a moment to understand what meditation actually is.

In recent times, meditation has become a buzzword. Social media is inundated with discussions about mindfulness and meditation, to the point where it's turned into a sort of show off, to feed our egos. While many people have embraced meditation amidst all this noise, some are still finding it challenging. I've also heard friends and acquaintances claim they've been meditating for a while but haven't experienced any noticeable benefits in their lives.

Our lifestyle today and the hustle culture around us has made us believe that we need to continuously do something and reach somewhere to be fulfilled. And no matter what we do it is never enough, as if we are trying to reach the finish point, but it keeps moving further away from us, and in the end we feel tired and miserable. We have become so entangled in external pleasure and pressure that, we have created an identity or a false self around the external chatter. And this keeps us away from experiencing out true inner Self.

What is Meditation?

Meditation is deep state of relaxation which is beyond your physical body, a deep relaxation for your mind to get in touch with your inner Self. It is doing nothing and letting go of all efforts to relax in your true nature.

When we meditate, we take a break from all the external chatter and experience our true Self, which is why we feel so good and content after meditation.

Most people try to derive something out of Meditation which is the reason why they don't feel connected to it. Yes, meditation has several benefits but the true essence lies in the act itself, rest all can be called the extended benefits of just being in that state- The state of our True Existence.

Incorporating this in your life could be difficult if you identify yourself with the Ego Self or the identity you have created around external chatter. Some other reasons that may make you feel meditation is not working could be:

Expectations- You may be meditating to get something out of it.

Meditation is not about achieving a specific outcome or expecting something in particular to happen. Instead, it's about being present in the moment and enjoying the experience of meditating.

When you meditate without expectations, you free yourself from the pressure to achieve a certain state of mind or have profound insights. Instead, you allow yourself to simply be and embrace whatever arises during your meditation, whether it's a sense of calm, clarity, or even the occasional distraction.

You may be focusing on eliminating thoughts from you mind.

Meditation is not about completely eliminating thoughts from the mind, which can indeed be near to impossible. Instead, meditation involves shifting your relationship with your thoughts and becoming the observer of your thoughts. It's about cultivating a non-judgmental awareness of the thoughts that arise, allowing them to come and go without becoming entangled in them. This practice of simple noticing and gentle awareness can be incredibly liberating.

Indeed, it may seem challenging at first, but it becomes more natural with practice.

You think it's only for the zen and enlightened.

Meditation brings you to the present moment, which is the only way to live a life without infiltrated illusions. It is the only essence of our existence. While all the external pleasures and desires are for us to enjoy, we must not derive a sense of Self from it. To experience state of pure consciousness is for each one of us.

So How to Fix It?

Meditate with Right Intention:

When you meditate solely for the experience of meditation, without any expectations or attachments, you're allowing yourself to tap into that natural state of joy and contentment that resides within you.

Meditation is a simple, pure act of being, like basking in the warmth of the sun or feeling the soothing embrace of a gentle breeze. There are no demands, no judgments, and no conditions – just a peaceful and joyful connection with your authentic self.

I hope you found this post helpful. As you continue your meditation practice, consider focusing on meditating purely for its own sake with right intension, without any attached expectations or conditions. This approach can lead to a more fulfilling and mindful meditation experience.