Should I Stop Meditating?

[FlipTheSwitch]

Hi everyone,

I've been meditating for 1 hour a day for the last 30 days straight. For the first 2 weeks I felt a difference, like I had more focus, and I started to pay closer attention to the present moment and my thoughts. However for the last few days I feel like I haven't been feeling the benefits as much as when I first started. Should I stop meditating or maybe reduce the time? In terms of the type of meditation, I practice focusing on my breath as it enters and exits my nose. If a thought arises I drop it as soon as I become conscious of it and bring my awareness back to my breath.

Thank you for reading,

Ryan

[SkyPanther]

Just a tip;  when meditating do not hold a goal in your mind.  The goal of getting something, or hoping to get to a certain state of concentration, etc, is desire/craving which is not a good state of mind to meditate with. (Because it is bound with ego)

The best "mind state" to meditate with is "beginner's mind"  that is, do not expect anything, nor hold anything as a known "goal".

What you are actually doing though is fine (the mindfulness of breathing). 

Edited March 22, 2016 by SkyPanther

[Azrael]

8 hours ago, RyanH said:

Should I stop meditating or maybe reduce the time?

No, not at all. Your progress is completely normal. The meditation benefits (or as I call them side effects) come in cycles. Some times they will be very present and really change the way you go about your day - at other times you may feel even worse than normal. This happens because your mind purges a lot of shit out of your brain while meditating and this has to literally be processed and then let go of.

Over time you will notice these cycles yourself and than jut chill and go through them with understanding. Until then, just stick to the process. Always keep in mind: With meditation there is nothing you can do wrong. Literally. With meditation all you want is to let go of the neurosis that is stuck in your head that something could go wrong. Meditation is being in your normal, basic state. Just sitting / standing / lying and breathing, doing nothing. You can't do this wrong. Even though you are so sickened that you think you could.

So, just stick to it. And everything's gonna be fine.

[FlipTheSwitch]

Thank you for the advice guys, I'll keep going!