Meditation isn’t about what’s happening, it’s about how you relate to what’s happening. ~Sharon Salzberg
What does success in meditation look like? Does it mean that you’re suddenly as serene as the Buddha? Does it mean the end of your anger, fear, doubt, and other unpleasant feelings?
This is a subtle and interesting question. Why? Because success in meditation can look as many different ways as there are human beings on planet earth.
Meditation Isn’t An Experience
Here’s the thing. And it’s the reason why people get confused on this point more than any other. Meditation isn’t an experience. It’s only ever about your relationship to the endless kaleidoscope of your very human experience.
Naturally, we all want to feel a certain way. We want bliss, peace, and a sharp reduction in all of our unpleasant feelings. That’s completely natural. Often, especially in the West, with our focus on material things, it’s easy to try and reduce success in meditation to a type of experience—a pleasing experience.
But if you expect meditation to feel one way or another, you’re bound to be disappointed. Meditation, in truth, is really about being easy and ok with the awkward and awesome spectrum of your entire human experience.
8 Signs of Success In Meditation
And because there is so much confusion around this question of success in meditation, I thought it would be helpful to dedicate an episode of the OneMind Meditation Podcast to exploring this question. How can you gauge progress and success in your meditation practice?
It’s important to say that this is by no means a definitive list. And each tradition or technique is going to have its own variations on these themes.
Instead, these 8 signs of success in meditation can help serve as general signposts for you. During the episode, we explore each one of these signs in depth to help you navigate the subtle terrain of meditation with confidence.
In this episode of the OneMind Meditation Podcast, we explore 8 important signs of success in meditation:
- Increasing your quality of life
- Bearing witness to your mind
- Becoming less reactive
- Stillness
- Relaxation
- Freedom from thought
- Heightened awareness
- Freedom from time
Show Notes
- If you enjoyed this podcast, you may also like our Meditation for Life Mini Course
- Learn more about our free awareness meditation course, How To Free Your Mind & Discover Deep Peace
- Take a self-paced orientation to Meditation and explore the How To Meditate Core Training Program
- Leave us a rating & review on iTunes
I love this website! It has been an important part of my meditation journey. After 10 years of desperately wanting to be a regular meditator I can now finally say it has become a habit thanks to your article ‘The one thing you must do to make meditation a habit’. I am now well past the 66 day mark (117 days to be exact) and look forward to my daily sessions.
This podcast was a good summary of my progress to date.
This is the first time I have ever made a comment on anything but felt compelled in this instance. I really enjoy your weekly podcasts. I have taken something profound away from each one. I like both you and your guests down to earth and genuine approach.
Thank you Morgan and About Meditation!
Julia, Wow, thank you so much. I really appreciate you sharing your experience in the comments here. It’s a huge inspiration to hear about your experience cruising past the 66-day mark. That is awesome! Congrats on 117! And I’m really glad to hear that the podcast has been such a solid resource for you. Thanks again for your kind words and I look forward to keeping in touch. All my best, Morgan
meditating daily and listening to your well thought out podcasts have made a truly calming influence on my spirit. thank you for doing this work.
Hi Nadine, Thanks for your kind words. I’m really glad these resources are supporting you.
It is the first time I came to this website and I’m excited. I already like what is in here and looking forward to my wonderful journey in meditation. Enough of suffering, I can’t do it no more. Also thank you Julia and Nadine for leaving comments, it was very helpful to me. God bless you all!
Hi Mariam,
Welcome to the site and I’m so glad you found us. Please let me know if you have any questions and I’d be happy to help.
Medication is the process to keep your body health when you are not well but MEDITATION is a process, which let your mind, body and soul healthy and strong as you grow with it. Meditation is one of the best medicines for the overall growth of body.
Its absolutely fantastic! It helped me a lot!
Hi Nataly, Great! I’m really happy it helped you.
Loved this podcast. I just spoke to me wholeheartedly! Shared it on Twitter thank you.
Keep shining x
Thanks so much for your feedback Paula. That’s awesome to hear and thanks for taking the time to let me know.
Hi Morgan , thanks for helping me with my meditation I took your advice and after a coffe in the morning I’ve been meditating I’m making this a habit as you advised , I am definetly getting there , I’ve such a busy mind I didn’t think I would be able to meditate , thank you so much !!!!!!!
Hi Pamela,
That sounds great!! I’m really happy to hear that you’re making progress. Consistency is so so important and one of the main ways that you get to learn that regular practice can help you sail past your busy mind. Keep us posted!