Christopher remembers his early 20s, when anxiety, depression and addiction dominated his life, and his first Zen meditation at Cornell University more than 30 years ago. He could barely sit still, and he still remembers the rush of energy as the chaos came down just a little bit. He describes how a few minutes of meditation can work like a micro nap, where your nervous system steps back from it all.
'I was a hot mess disaster, mentally.'
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Questions people ask
How did Christopher Grant start meditating?
In his early 20s, when anxiety, depression and addiction dominated his life, Christopher went to a Zen meditation at Cornell University. He could barely sit still. More than 30 years later he still remembers the rush of energy as the chaos came down just a little bit, from fifth gear to about 4 and a half. That little bit of clearing stayed with him.
What does Christopher mean when he calls meditation a micro nap?
Christopher notes that much of our attention is consumed by the outer world, and our energy moves out through the eyes and the mouth. When we take a few minutes and stop letting that energy dissipate, we recharge. He has come to see meditation as a micro nap, where the nervous system can step back from it all and take a break.
Does a difficult first try mean meditation is not for me?
No. Christopher's first sit was not a calm one: he could barely sit still, and the change he felt was small. That small shift was enough to remember for decades. He tells the story at the start of Lesson 1 of the Effortless Meditation Course, and more of his path in 35 Years to a Simple Practice.