Why You're Not Meditating (And What You Can Do About It)

[@bart-v]

... and don't expect any results. Meditation is already the result. You don't have to get anywhere. You're already there.

[@eyyyy3265]

You put it in a beautiful way

[@vinothkumars8419]

.

[@labrax.0]

Absolutely

[@alexasaltz4229]

I had forgotten how vital a single, mindful breath is. In a world that moves so much faster than I am used to, one moment can do wonders.

[@garyfleming6441]

Thanks George, Yes i still need to push but now you mention it the pull is getting stronger.

[@paulvanwal4875]

George thanks , stay Happy and alive for the Good Vibrations ! 🕊

[@ZsuzsannaSpiry]

Celebraring my 39th meditation anniversary this November 10th. And you're quite right. It's so nourishing. Can't imagine my life without it. Loved your one single breath meditation. Doesn't matter the format. You can have a full meditation in the span of one single breath! Thanks for bringing my attention to this fact! 🌷🙏🌷

[@George-Thompson]

39th meditation anniversary! Amazing. A lifetime's gift. So glad it's been with you for that long.

[@ZsuzsannaSpiry]

@@George-Thompson "Meditation: the path of love and knowledge" was the theme of a talk a Siddha Yoga monk delivered that November 10th, 1983. In Yoga it's called shaktipat I learnt later. Still today that love experience is nourishing my soul. Can't be more grateful. 🌷🙏🌷

[@davidjonathan6713]

39th meditation a n n i v e r s a r y. So impressing. We'll see... maybe we'll meet there, sooner or later? 🙃 Sounds like a good goal. Or should I rather say, like a good approach to life. :)

[@jackielynch5143]

Thanks George for being you , l've been on this journey with you and your videos have helped me so much over the last 5 year's 🕉

[@George-Thompson]

So glad to hear Jackie, wishing you the best 💪

[@sistermary]

That single breath meditation idea is very helpful. Thank you

[@davidjonathan6713]

That's one thing I love so much about daoism: quite uniquely, you cannot beat yourself up for not achieving your spiritual goal, e. g. daily meditation. Instead you need to truly embrace where you are right now, even when you aim to become someone who is "more in the moment right now". Thank you so much, George, for this new inspiring video: now I want to integrate this single breath in my day. (And later maybe seven; that feels like the right number for me) You helped to set me on a journey of research into the dao, and now I'm a member of the WTWA and recently started a study of sinology. I also read your mail newsletter and sometimes copy-paste parts of it into my diaries for reflection.

[@George-Thompson]

Thanks for your message David. So glad to hear you are getting benefit from WTWA and the newsletter. Indeed I like Daoism for that reason as well - it's a more playful approach to life!

[@scottwilliams4137]

One of the best and simplest recommendations for meditation I’ve seen.

[@tomstern9498]

Taking one mindful breath: inhale - exhale where ever you are - that this is meditation - what a thought of wisdom: should we really think about more...?

[@rakadoni8403]

I been listening to you talking about Taoism while I exercise, this is the first video I see you , always smiling :) I have never meditated but I sigh deep when my brain gets the better of me, my mind doesn't switch off often. That's why I want to give it a go

[@flyingcolors8]

Thank you, George, for the simplicity and all the beings behind this wisdom.

[@George-Thompson]

I appreciate your comment, Franziska. Thank you! 🙏

[@thedirty530]

This is fantastic advice for exercise as well. It may not feel like you are doing much at first but your reluctance will decrease along with the physical toll it takes out on you!

[@mountain5623]

I really appreciate you. 🌄🍃🍁⛰️. You keep my mind smiling. 😊

[@George-Thompson]

Sending apprecitation straight back at ya! ✨🙏

[@SirMerryman]

When I first started meditating, I noticed that there were days when meditating felt easier, with less resistance. Then, I began to notice even before going into meditation whether or not my mind was distracted or at ease. The more I meditated the more I wanted to practice it. Then I noticed there were days when it felt natural to sit down for 30 minutes and meditate. Eventually I realized that the beginning stages of the meditative mindset was shifting from “There’s no way that I could sit down and meditate for 30 minutes” to feeling that “At any given point in my day I could sit down in this moment and meditate with little to no resistance from my mind.” That to me was a huge change. Meditating for 30 minutes is one thing, but carrying the same sense of calm and ease throughout the day really changes your perspective. ❤

[@McLKeith]

Good talk. Thanks George. Also, it is important to not cancel out our meditations by getting angry or frustrated during non meditation times. Bankei Yotaku, in his youth, was a zealous meditator. He would sit on rock cliffs or up to his chest in rivers because he didn't have a teacher for guidance. Later he realized all his strenuous effort was unnecessary. Bankei said to paraphrase: Just abide in the Unborn Mind and don't trade it for thoughts and self-partiality.

[@luxinfinity73]

Check out the meditation retreats around the world. If you need a total reset, I suggest Myanmar or Thailand, however there are meditation retreats everywhere. I stayed at Kyunpin Meditation Centre in Myanmar, in a forest North of Mandalay. It's a Buddhist monastery where the schedule is very tough and everyone must respect the rule of silence (no chatting). The diet consists primarily of delicious plant based food, breakfast and lunch only. Routinely, you have to clean the hall and bathrooms (I only did it once in 20 days). Everybody is welcome but part of the package is to chant Buddhist blessings before and after starting the practice (twice a day). If you prefer a much more relaxed atmosphere, I suggest Malaysia. There are centres all over the world but I strongly suggest Asia because of their experience and culture.

[@George-Thompson]

Thanks for the recommendations, that meditation center sounds amazing!

[@donbrugalo5079]

Thanks for the tips George!

[@George-Thompson]

My pleasure!

[@alegaultcesta]

You should go on the Jay Shetty show "On Purpose"

[@jakobquick1598]

thank you, i love how postive these two tips are. i was stuck for some time in trying too long meditations and stressing over the fact of "not" accompishing them. again thank you, i love your channel

[@inthebeyond333]

Thank you for these tips! Really helpful, been feeling really burnt out lately and haven’t been making time for meditation.

[@garycox3841]

Precious advice! ❤️🙏

[@George-Thompson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stumpy32]

Great tips... Thank you, George!

[@George-Thompson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mariamsol8235]

Thank you for sharing! Yes

[@Rykaas]

Thank you George

[@dominicwood9873]

I unfortunately had a bad experience on my 2 nd meditation wasn’t sure if I was asleep but it was me going back to a bad time in life getting attacked at a pub without any back up 😢 but now I’m stronger because of yoga and the gym so thanks George I’ll try and get some guided meditation

[@dominicwood9873]

It was the anxiety side of it overall :) so maybe meditating can help let go of that and make us comfortable in these places to let loose and enjoy our surroundings

[@George-Thompson]

glad to hear you are trying it again, always gentle on the journey. loving kindness is key - no matter your experience. wishing you the best!

[@SL-ld8nz]

Thank you 🙏. For sharing this. I am still practicing 😊

[@George-Thompson]

Glad to hear! Hope your practice serves you 💪

[@dianeyoung8068]

Thanks so much George for the tips. I try to do 30 minutes meditation twice a day but it is challenging sometimes.

[@George-Thompson]

Great aim, that's what I do!

[@SpodyOdy]

Great video🙂👍😎

[@anamericaninamerica]

Thanks. Sounds helpful.

[@Durzo1259]

This gives me an idea. I've been telling myself every day "today is the day I need to meditate", but I can never do it because I'm always too tense and my mind is going a mile a minute. I've also been doing calisthenics (pushups, pull-ups etc), charting my reps on paper and adding a little more bit-by-bit. Maybe that can be applied here: commit to the tiniest regimen, a meditation of 10 breaths (reps) at a set time of day. Just 10. Until the day I up my reps to 15, then 20 and so on. Maybe this could be a good way to help all of us who can't seem to meditate.

[@George-Thompson]

Nice I like that idea! I do some calisthenics as well, it can be a good mindfulness practice to. Just be present with the movement 💪

[@Durzo1259]

@@George-Thompson Thank you, George! I gave it a try today and even those 10 were hard to keep, but I set that goal and made it. Tomorrow doing 15. :) If you're into calisthenics, I highly recommend the Hindu pushup.

[@thetwitchywitchy]

Hello George! Thank you so much for your videos! I desperately want to be more mindful and feel more calm and practice meditation, but I find it difficult due to my ADHD. I feel like my brain is ALWAYS “on” and I find it really difficult to get to a place where I can effectively slow my mind down and be in the moment. Thank you for these tips :)

[@ZsuzsannaSpiry]

A great help I got in Yoga is the practice of mantra singing. It helps a great deal in calming down the mind, giving it a focus. Beside being fun. 😊

[@chrisgulwell8294]

Great tips thanks George. I’m new to meditation and trying to understand where I’m going wrong, sometimes I fall Asleep while meditating. I feel as though this is a wasted meditation PS your awesome

[@patrickcarroll624]

Hey George - what's that landscape in the background? It looks so peaceful, I'd love a little trip there myself. Is it Scotland?

[@George-Thompson]

Yes it's Loch Etive in Scotland!

[@rogerunderhill4267]

George. Have you continued with your Vipassana?

[@George-Thompson]

Yes! Doing another retreat in January and meditating an hour a day. It's been a really important step on my journey.

[@melissaqualls5774]

I meditate in the morning as well in when I do the morning adjustment

[@George-Thompson]

Great!

[@er66an]

Found Korean toe taping meditation on ytube. My pulse goes down to 45 and there's a calmness of almost sleep so I do it at night. Will try your breathing all day exercise. Thank you

[@GIANTOCTOPUSOCITY]

Thank you very much for making me aware of the Korean toe tapping exercise / meditation!

[@luxinfinity73]

Don't plan tomorrow because there's no tomorrow. All we have is this moment, right here and right now. 😄🤗😀

[@chaththa85]

Thank you so much! This was greatly greatly helpful for me..started straight away doing it!!! One breath at a time..feels so light n cool already..So simple yet so profound! Wish I won’t forget these tips for life 💐.. Many blessings! Namaskaram 🙏❤️💐

[@jolandabeach8784]

I so totally agree with everything you said, I already do all of what you just said, and I didn't realize it was considered meditation, though it absolutely benefits me in that way, thank you 🙂

[@George-Thompson]

Glad to hear that!

[@xiaomaozen]

😊🙏

[@ZengHuaXiansheng]

George, I’d like to ask you something. I’m currently learning to avoid moaning and I do it by breathing slowly (as I’ve learned it in your breathing course), watching my thoughts and taking them not too seriously. This calms me down very effectively. I noticed that you have a very positive energy but I didn’t know why. Is it because you see life in a more relaxed way?

[@George-Thompson]

Glad to hear your practice has been serving you. Yes with the breath we navigate life just that bit slower and more flexibly.

[@synthsbythesea4091]

Please can you explain the dance move / moving meditation…..

[@pietrotterdam9050]

Big question from a beginner: how often can/should I meditate per day? I've begun to do it at least 2 times a day for a couple of minutes and sometimes even 5 times a day for a couple of minutes. For me it feels great but I heard from someone that you should only meditate once a day. So, I'm a bit confused now! Thanks a lot for you advice!

[@danielread5854]

What do you think of chakra chanting and such? I do a lot of this (vocal and silent) and it really seems to work, although I also do more specifically Taoist "inner smile" meditation too. (Or what I've at least been told is Taoist meditation, I'm not an expert on these things so I could be getting things wrong.)

[@George-Thompson]

I love chanting but I haven't tried chakra chanting specifically. Inner smile meditation is beautiful!

[@OldManGlitch]

Sometimes, I feel like I'm too old now to catch up to the benefits this could have given me way back when. It's sad really.

[@George-Thompson]

It's never too late to start taking care of yourself. Even short periods of meditation can have positive effects on mental health and well-being. Good luck in your journey 😊🙏

[@Thomas-zf3cg]

I started meditation before having any sorta heavy anxiety but feel after practicing meditation and qigong daily for 4 months my anxiety has gotten "worse". Do you have any thoughts on this?

[@George-Thompson]

Being present with the body can bring up painful memories which previously we were too busy to recognise. The journey can be full of twists and turns. Practising loving-kindness throughout the journey is essential. It's ok to be anxious!

[@Thomas-zf3cg]

@@George-Thompson Thank you my older brother!

[@Davidhjrick]

Can you please do a video on Taoism and sex. Thank you.

[@deathmetalmax4321]

You look super baked

[@johngarbutt2857]

Which part of Scotland are you camping in? It looks amazing! 🏕

[@George-Thompson]

Loch Etive!

[@thedirty530]

Great question...i was wondering where this was! Absolutely beautiful!