Thread by @julien

If you're considering taking meditation more seriously, here are a few things to know, based on my experience >>>

Context: I've sat for whole days in seshin (long meditation retreats) and lived in a Zen monastery in Japan in my 20s for a bit

1. It is sometimes boring. No expectations is better than any at all

Do not imagine something magical will happen. Just let "it" happen, whatever that is.

2. It gets fucking weird

Sit for long enough and you will have extremely odd, freaky experiences. Visions of random shit, feeling like you're falling or not in your body, etc.

3. You will get scared.

Being in a different psychological place is extremely disturbing on occasion. You might feel like you're going crazy. The fear might last beyond your sitting session. You will focus on things you used to not think about - things you might not like!

4. You will get euphoric.

You'll feel extremely unusual sense of clarity and being in the moment which is hugely liberating. It doesn't last forever, but it gives you a sense as to what you're "looking" for - although you shouldn't "look" for anything

5. You will want to quit

You will experience 100,000 reasons to stop- and remember, meditation is a choice, you don't HAVE to do it, you can quit if you want. But lots of the time your reasons for quitting will turn out to be short sighted

6. You will get great ideas that compel you to do something else.

I ironically came up with this thread idea while meditating. True story. I guess I was doing it wrong 🥸

7. The practice is endless.

There is no end point. You don't do it to "get" anything. You just keep doing it and it deepens- if you keep going.

And hey, if you do end up doing days of meditation, and even several hours and it's way beyond your level, it's great to have someone to talk to. I'm lucky that I've had access to a few Zen monks. They are clarifying to chat with.

Rmemeber, the mind is a weird place. Good luck.