Common Obstacles
The Cluttered Schedule
Since it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain a healthy balance of work and rest in our hurried lives, it is especially challenging to find time for contemplation.
The problem of the cluttered schedule is that we convince ourselves that we can't afford to do "nothing" for any length of time. If we allow this mindset to permeate even our contemplative practice, we are bound to experience the same pressures on our mind and body.
Contemplative practices are not distractions from daily activities. We must consider: Are our contemplative practices mere diversions? Or are they touching something deeper in us? Have we lost the ability to be at peace in our moments of rest? Cluttered schedules not only constrict the time we have, but also manipulate our understanding of value and worth. It is crucial to remember the simple value and beauty of life as it is, not as it is used.
The Problem of Boredom
It's a familiar pattern: you delve into a new project, exercise plan, or schedule with enthusiasm, but within a few weeks, you're back to your old habits. This is also a common experience when beginning a daily contemplative practice.
In the beginning, practice sessions are often exhilarating, relaxing, rejuvenating, and interesting. But, "We should not misunderstand such experiences," say the monks of New Skete, a Orthodox community in Cambridge, NY. The monks compare beginning a practice to the experience of "first love, untested by the demands of time and reality...In time, the beloved turns very ordinary."
To help you "lay the foundation" of your practice, it helps to stay in touch with the hope and enthusiasm you had when you began practicing.
Here are some suggestions from the Contemplative Mind staff:
- Keep a "practice journal" of your thoughts, experiences and questions. If you attend workshops or retreats, take notes on what is said; if you read a good book, write down what moves you. Then, when you feel bored or discouraged, re-reading your journal can help re-connect you to your practice and your intentions for undertaking it in the first place.
- Check out an inspiring book. Here at the Center, we've found these books to be helpful.
- Join a local community of practitioners at a meditation center or house of worship. Regular meetings help keep your practice consistent in your daily life.
- Spend time in nature. Slowing down to observe the natural world can help order your priorities and is an easy way to re-engage your senses.
- Attending a retreat is often a great way to jump-start your practice, or deepen an already strong one.