The Sneaky Little Jerk Messing With Your Meditation
The Struggle of Showing Up
It’s 6 am, and while the world outside is still dark and quiet, you’re awake and sitting on your meditation cushion.
Your neck is stiff; your back is sore.
Your mind swirls with half-thoughts—yesterday’s to-do list, fragments of dreams, and a fog that just lingers.
And then there’s that nagging doubt: 'Why am I even here? What’s the point?'
But here’s the thing: transformation in practice doesn’t happen when everything feels perfect.
It happens because you keep showing up, especially on the days when it feels challenging.
Doubt is a Sneaky Little Jerk
Doubt is sneaky.
It whispers that you’re wasting your time, even when things are going well.
And while tension and restlessness hit you directly, doubt creeps in quietly.
It’s that voice that tells you to quit. The one that tells you to constantly shift your posture. And the voice that tells you that none of it is working.
Remember—all meditators experience doubt, and it’s often a sign that the practice is working.
But if you’re feeling doubt, you’ve already cleared the toughest hurdle: showing up.
Because the consistency and motivation to show up day after day is undeniably the most critical factor in a transformative practice.
Consistency is the Key
A famous Japanese proverb says:
“Even dust, when piled high, can make a mountain.”
Chiri mo tsumoreba, yama to naru
ちりも積もれば、山となる。
I heard this proverb years ago, and it struck me because it speaks to the power of the smallest actions. It reminds you that each time you show up, you add another grain of dust to the mountain of practice—small efforts that build something monumental over time.
But this metaphor goes even further when you consider the infinite potential moments of mindfulness throughout your day.
So, the next time you’re stuck in traffic, can you feel the texture of the steering wheel under your hands? While waiting in line, can you feel your weight shift as you stand or notice the sounds around you? Even right now, can you notice your next breath?
Each mindful moment adds another grain of attention to your day.
The more you weave these moments in, the stronger your focus becomes.
And this will lead to more presence and less doubt when you sit down on your cushion for formal practice.
Small Steps, Big Changes
Getting lost in your head and stuck on your expectations about practice is easy.
But the most crucial part is the intention to keep going and to keep showing up, day after day, month after month, year after year.
Just like drops of water can slowly smooth out a rough rock, your daily practice gradually softens and smooths out the rough edges in your mind.
I see this all the time in my students.
The ones who most consistently commit to showing up on the mat are the ones who experience the most profound changes in their bodies and minds.
And all of these profound changes are built during each unit of practice.
Because, in the end, transformation isn’t sudden.
Keep showing up, and those small moments will create something life-changing.
While showing up is the most crucial factor, having a guide can accelerate your progress and help you to truly thrive on the path.
This is where the Embodied Mindfulness Program helps you stay consistent over the long term.
This ongoing membership will give you access to regular practices, support, and a community to help you succeed in your practice.
Let’s chat and see if the program is the right fit for you.
