Sit still before you meditate

You have to learn to walk before you can run.

You have to learn to crawl before walking. And you won't stand up before you can sit. We develop our abilities in compounding layers, and it happens in order because more complex skills are composed of simpler ones.

Meditation is no different. But it's deceptive because it seems so simple. How can we not have what it takes to just sit there and do nothing? That seems like the opposite of needing the skill to do something.

We face a new problem. We have layers of habits, busyness, addictions, anxiety, restlessness and tension that lie between us and the simple act of doing nothing.

Instead of layers of new skills to learn, we have layers of compulsions to unlearn.

Compulsive movement in our bodies is the physical expression of the restlessness in our minds. Fortunately, the inverse is true and we can use it.

Our mind is a product of our brain, and our brain's primary purpose is movement. If we remove the movement then we can relax our brain and start to quiet our mind.

Practising the art of sitting still, holding one precise posture, for longer and longer. That's all. No twitching, changing positions, scratching, swallowing or facial expressions. Take it deeper, release the precursor to movement too; tension in your muscles and breathing. Absolute stillness. Each movement, however minuscule, is an opportunity to dissolve compulsion.

On a chair or the floor, it doesn't matter. But upright and with a neutral spine is useful.

It's tough, and just like exercise, we need to do a lot to get any good. Every single day is the only way - even if it's for five minutes.

We have no business chasing lofty goals in our consciousness if we cant find simple serenity in our bodies.

Practice relaxing your body before you expect calmness in your mind. Shifting my focus from my mind to my body is so helpful - I have something tangible to work with, and my expectations become realistic.

You have to sit still before you meditate.

But don't worry you don't have to wait for the benefits because every moment of stillness is healing.