Meditation is simple, inexpensive, and highly effective, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.

Actually, it is pretty easy; it’s just not what people expect it to be.

Beginners have all sorts of challenges when meditating, but most of them are simply part of the meditation process.

Are these challenges holding you back?

Your mind is too active. It takes practice before the mind quiets down, and it’s rarely silent even after years of practice. It takes about 20 minutes for experienced meditators to notice a slowing down of the mind.

Your mind wanders. It’s not uncommon to suddenly realize that you’ve been daydreaming for the last five minutes. Just return your attention to your breath and continue.

A lack of consistency. Meditation should be done daily to see the most significant benefits. Get as much practice as you can.

You fall asleep. It should be impossible to stay asleep if you have the correct posture, as you’re sure to lose your balance and fall over. The best position for meditating is to sit up straight. If you lie down, you may struggle to stay awake.

Body pains. Holding one position can be painful, especially when just starting with meditation. Over time, your aches and pains will essentially go away.

It’s best to try to remain still. Shifting your position will only give temporary relief, and the process starts again. No matter how much it hurts, you’ll find the pain fades away and eventually moves to another location if you stay still.

Boredom. Yes, meditation can be tedious, especially if you’re used to significantly more stimulation. Learn to sit still with your boredom and observe it. Boredom can be more fascinating than you might think.

Rationalizing that quitting is a good idea. Common thoughts include, “This is a waste of time.” “Why am I doing this?” “Is this all there is?” Again, sit with your thoughts and notice them. Every thought is as meaningless as the next.

Finding time. Go to bed 20 minutes early and sit in the corner. Or get up 20 minutes early and do the same. The truth is, after a bit of practice, you can meditate at your desk or on a bus.

Desiring perfection. You don’t need to be perfect. Put in the time with your best effort. That’s all that’s required.

Expecting more. Meditation rarely involves earth-shattering insights. It’s a gradual process that brings understanding over time.

The problems above are small blips in the road on your way to zen.  Just keep at it and believe everything is as it should be.