Question from Tanya K.: I do my best to meditate every day. However, lately, with all circumstances that I am having in my life, I begin to skip the day or two from my regular meditative practice. Now I have some fear that as a result I can lose my New Self that I found through this practice. Can it happen? I do not want it happen.
Veronica Hope: Meditation is not necessarily sitting in a certain position, with your eyes closed. Remember, the most important result of meditation is the one’s ability to quiet one’s mind; ability to stay in the moment “right now” , without mind jumping back and forth from past to future; from words you would or wouldn’t say to your friend… How you are going to come to the point of having Meditative mind actually doesn’t matter. You can do formal meditation by yourself or with a group. But good news is you can also meditate when you do your dishes. Just remember to concentrate on what you are doing. Feel, for example, temperature of the water, when you do your dishes, or how soupy it is. How it is actually feels holding a clean plate in your hands. Free your mind from any thoughts, and if they are coming, watch them going away without analyzing how smart or inappropriate they are.
You can also meditate when you walk, swim, waiting for the bus…As long as your mind is free, you stay at the present moment and you are able to note things without any emotional attachment.
Last one, don’t be afraid to lose your New Self, because any fear will work against you and bring you exactly to what you are afraid of. Enjoy yourself; trust to the process that you are going through, it is always for the best! Come back to your regular meditative practice that worked for you well as soon as you can. Just don’t be attached to it. Good luck!