Sticking with it: finding what works for you

The ScienceDaily recently published an interesting article entitled, "Finding right meditation technique key to user satisfaction." In it, a study is discussed which looked at which of four meditation techniques--Mantra, Mindfulness, Zen, and Qigong--proved most popular at the conclusion of the experiment.

The experiment involved teaching participants each of these methods, having them practice at home, and then reporting back on which they preferred.

Of the study's 247 participants, 31% preferred Mantra and Mindfulness, while 22% preferred Zen, and 14.8% Qigong.

Perhaps more importantly, the study emphasized the importance of finding a method that appealed to each person in determining which they preferred. While it remains unclear which, if any, of these methods yield the greatest benefit, it is clear that those who find one that works for them stick with it.

And that I think is the biggest takeaway from all this. Meditation--like exercise, healthy foods, or other things promoting general well-being--tends to have a positive benefit for those who partake in it, yet too often people become discouraged in the process of practice.

The message of this study is that, just because one method of practice doesn't appeal to you doesn't mean others will too. Furthermore, just because one's practice is not 100% serious doesn't mean it won't provide benefit.

Consider, a friend once decided he go vegan cold-turkey (perhaps "cold-turkey" isn't the right word in this case...). In any case, he managed it for about a month and then totally gave up. It was too hard, he said, and he missed things like ice-cream and the occasional piece of chicken-breast. Later, however, he decided that each day he would make one meal completely vegan. This he found manageable, and later still he changed that to two vegan meals a day. Along the way, he found that by allowing himself a little meat or animal product here or there, he could acquire most of the benefits of a vegan diet without constantly fretting about the food he ate. In the end veganism wasn't for him, but a healthier diet was.

Another time, a different friend wanted to start an exercise regimin, and was determined to walk at least an hour every day. This lasted for about a week, and then she gave up. Later, she decided she would try walking for 5-minutes each day. If she felt like going further after 5-minutes, she would; if not, then she would call it a day. This method worked well for her, allowing her to lose weight and have a healthier image of herself. As she became fitter she started running portions of the walk, and about a year after starting, she entered her first 5k. Hard-core exercise was not for her, but a little each day was.

I tell these stories because they show the wider application of the idea we discussed above with reference to meditation: that it can be helpful to find what works for you personally. Whether it's food, exercise, or simply sitting down to meditate, we each bring a different set of circumstances and temperaments to the table, and as such not every popular thing will work for us. But if we find can ways to do these potentially-wholesome activities so that they're fun and fulfilling, much good may come of it. Something to consider anyway.

Happy Tuesday, friends :)