Christopher compares meditation to doing the dishes after a dinner party: the cleaning is messy, and the result is a clean kitchen. Meditation gives space to every thought and feeling, pleasant or unpleasant, and afterwards you move into your day or your sleep with a clearer mind. Over days or weeks, the mind starts to become a little more centered and a little calmer.
'Meditation is a little bit like doing the dishes.'
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Questions people ask
Why does meditation sometimes feel messy?
Christopher compares meditation to doing the dishes after a dinner party. Cleaning the kitchen is a messy process, and the result is a clean kitchen. We would not expect the kitchen to be clean while we are cleaning it. Meditation gives space to all the thoughts and feelings, pleasant or unpleasant, and the clearer mind comes later.
Should I feel calm during meditation?
Not always. Christopher says meditation does not mean you will feel more centered during the practice. Sometimes you may feel upset or agitated as you naturally review what has been happening in your life, and that might bring tears, laughter, the urge to dance or the urge to sleep. All of it is welcome.
When do people notice a difference from meditation?
Christopher says you may notice a little more clarity as you move into your day or into your sleep. Over time, which might take some days or weeks, the mind starts to become a little more centered and a little calmer. This clip comes from Lesson 5 of the Effortless Meditation Course.