Daniela names the attitude of seriousness as a source of strain: sit down as if meditation is serious business and you bring tension into your practice right away. She invites you to approach meditation the way you approach a person or a creature you cherish, like her dog Jackson, with all his moods. And she reminds you that you are the same way.
'Right away we set ourselves up to bring tension into our meditation practice.'
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Questions people ask
Why does seriousness make meditation harder?
Daniela explains that if you sit down as if meditation is serious business, holding your cushion and bracing for what is about to happen, you bring tension into your practice right away. That attitude of seriousness sets you up for strain before you even begin. She invites a gentler starting point instead.
How should I approach my meditation?
Daniela suggests approaching your meditation the way you would approach a person or a creature you cherish. She describes Jackson, who has his moods, and how she loves him with all sides of his personality. You are the same way, and you can approach yourself with that tenderness when you sit.
Where does Daniela teach this?
This clip comes from Lesson 2 of the Effortless Meditation Course, where Daniela also shows how to prepare the body without strictness, by shaking it off. The article The Door Was Never Locked explores the same gentle way into meditation.