over to induce a med-itative state. Ultimately,
Teplitz began sitting twice a
day, with a second meditation
late in the afternoon or early
evening.
After meditating for only a
few months, Teplitz asked a few close
friends if he seemed different in any
way, and they said he seemed happier
and more at ease. This motivated him
to continue his practice. Later, he studied Kriya Yoga and became a Master
Teacher of Hatha Yoga, teaching others
how to meditate. In fact, Teplitz introduced me to meditation about two
decades ago at a NSA convention.
And yes, I still sit.
In case you’re wondering about
meditation bringing instant transformation, be patient. As with speaking, it’s a
learned skill and mastery takes time.
There’s a cartoon depicting two
monks, young and old, sitting side by
side on their cushions. The older monk
says to the younger monk, “Nothing
happens yet. This is it.” That pretty
much sums up the beginning of your
practice. So, why do it? Because there’s
something in it for you.
Suiting Up for the Sit
Unlike taking up a new sport, starting a
sitting practice doesn’t require much
equipment. It’s nice to have a quiet
spot that’s private and comfortable.
If you decide to take a class or stay
with meditation, you might like having
a special cushion. If sitting in the lotus
position or half-lotus (simple cross leg)
isn’t easy for you, consider a meditation bench. They are readily available,
and that’s what I use.
It helps to choose your best time of
day for sitting and stick to it. But with
widely varying schedules, fluctuating
times are better than none. People
might typically sit for 15 to 20 minutes,
and many who meditate regularly sit
more than once a day, as Teplitz does.
My advice is that it's better to build
your practice slowly, rather than striving
for perfection and giving up because
you think you’re not doing it right.
This is a common occurrence.
What to expect When
You’re expecting to meditate
Find your spot, get into whatever
position works for you, close your
eyes, and relax. Expect nothing.
Breathe in and out slowly and deeply.
From there, it’s lather, rinse and
repeat. Again, breathe. Sit. If you’re
}Sometimes itting and doing nothing pays big dividends.
