So You Think You're "Bad" at Meditation? Think Again.

"I'm terrible at meditating. I get distracted too easily."

I hear this all the time. And honestly? It makes me a little sad. Because if you think you're "bad" at meditation, it probably means you've absorbed the unfortunate (and entirely untrue) idea that something is supposed to happen when you meditate.

That your thoughts are supposed to vanish. That you're supposed to effortlessly slip into a state of blissful, unwavering presence. And that if you're getting distracted, well, you're simply doing it wrong.

Let's dismantle these myths right here, right now.

Meditation: A Laboratory of Self-Discovery, Not a Test

Here's a radical thought: Getting distracted during meditation isn't a failure – it's the whole point.  Think of meditation like stepping into your own personal laboratory. The goal isn't to force your mind into some idealized state of blank serenity. It's to simply observe what happens when you turn your attention inward.

And what happens? Well, for most of us, our minds do what they do best: they wander. They get caught up in thoughts, worries, plans, daydreams, memories – the whole messy, magnificent circus of human consciousness.

But here's the key: If you're aware that you're distracted, then guess what? You're being mindful. You're doing it!

Embracing the Wandering Mind

Mindfulness isn't about emptying the mind. It's about cultivating a kind, curious awareness of whatever is present in this moment. And more often than not, what's present is a mind that's anything but still.

So, the next time you sit down to meditate and find your thoughts veering off in a thousand different directions, resist the urge to judge yourself. Instead, meet your wandering mind with gentle acceptance. Notice the thoughts without getting carried away by them. And when you realize you've drifted off (which you will, countless times), simply acknowledge it without judgment and gently guide your attention back to your breath, your body, or whatever anchor you've chosen.

This is the practice. It's not about perfection. It's about showing up with kindness and curiosity, again and again, and learning to befriend the ever-changing landscape of your own mind.