Our minds have been used to thinking and perceiving in the same way for a very long time and therefore will put up blocks to practicing meditation. The mind does not like change even if that change is beneficial. No human is immune to this! Mind will produce doubts, worries, fears and lots of little and big seeming roadblocks along the way, that may seem insurmountable at times but they are not. You are the One, the Creative Force, the Universe, Awareness/Stillness/Presence, God/Goddess (use any word that suits you) and nothing can truly stop you from going deeper into your practice.
The key is awareness. A simple noticing of what is happening in the moment. Understanding the potential roadblocks to practice can make overcoming resistance a whole lot easier. It can help to write down your findings and experiences if it continues to allude and slip past you time after time. Get very detailed about every aspect; emotions, physical sensations and behaviours. Asking ourSelf Qs can also help to shift these patterns, Is it true that I am tired right now? Is it true that this is too much? Tuning into the physical sensations of our bodies, our hands, feet, breath, into the space in the room, into presence/ the stillness/ silence can help to bring us back home to clarity and to free ourselves of the story of resistance and overwhelm.
One of the ways you will see resistance coming to the surface is distraction. This is the mind’s key way of getting you to lose your focus. It may start in a very simple ways such as the thought “I don't have time to sit and meditate today" or it may be a feeling of restlessness that means you just cannot get comfy in your meditation seat. It may also pop up as feeling irritable or a sudden urge to sleep. Resistance can feel quite physical too, the mind has a huge influence on the body. Sudden aches, pains, hunger, hopelessness, depression, inertia. Watch to see if these magically disappear once you decide to go do something else :)
Here is a list of common distractions that may happen for you:
Compulsive positive thinking, feelings, ideas, creative thoughts during practice. I know, weird to not want this!
A sudden urge to fix something. Here the mind will come up with an idea that needs to get done super urgently. Simply notice that the urge only came when you sat down to meditate and that it's no coincidence!
Tiredness. Each one of us will face this distraction at some point. We feel fine and calm, we sit to meditate and suddenly all we can do is yawn and our head begins to nod each time we relax into meditation. Notice how magically we feel energetic again once we have returned to our daily lives.
Obsessively watching TV, movies or playing games, social media scrolling and internet browsing. Notice what you habitually do without any seeming control over it.
Fear or another overwhelming emotion coming up suddenly. This may send our mind into negative spiraling and overwhelm.
Suddenly getting very interested in another spiritual book or technique ;)
The following thoughts:
I can’t do it
I’ve got too much to do/ I’m too busy
It’s too hard
It hasn’t worked in the past
It’s not working
It’s hopeless
I can do it later/ tomorrow
It’s too much
I need help/ I can’t do it on my own.
I’m hungry
I’m too tired
It’s not important right now