You can listen to this article, narrated by a new voice we're trying out, Ryan, or read on below. Got feedback? Email us.

Meditation is amazing indeed 🌟

Embarking on a meditation journey can feel like stepping into uncharted territory, especially if you're new to the practice. A solid starting point? Commit to meditating daily(ish) for 10 minutes over a span of 45 days. There's magic in the consistency and the timeframe — both play crucial roles in cultivating a fruitful meditation practice. Why the emphasis on "daily(ish)"? Life is unpredictable, and occasionally missing a day isn't the end of the world. The aim is to foster resilience in your routine, not rigidity.

At Daily 10, we encourage integrating mindfulness into your everyday life, beyond the structured sessions. This could be as simple as consciously observing your breath at different moments during the day or adopting a compassionate perspective towards your children's actions, recognising their pursuit of happiness, whether skilful or otherwise.

After the 45-day mark, it's time for reflection. Assess the impact of these brief meditation sessions. Have they offered you enough value to inspire continued practice? "Enough" is subjective and significant here — meditation's gifts are often subtle and unexpected.

Take my personal experience, for instance. My initial goal was to manage work-related stress more effectively. I longed for meditation to eradicate the anxious flutters accompanying every "Stefan, can you talk?" message from my boss. While the stress didn't vanish, my relationship to it evolved. I gained insight into handling stress with more grace and acceptance, realising that this shift in perspective was a profound benefit in itself. This newfound wisdom was my “enough“, enticing me to delve deeper into meditation.



If you find value in the progress you've made, I encourage you to persist. Meditation has boundless depths to explore. However, if you're questioning the return on your time investment, consider tweaking your approach before abandoning meditation altogether. Seek guidance from experienced practitioners or reach out to us directly. Sometimes, a slight adjustment in technique or mindset can unveil the path to deeper understanding and fulfilment.

It's entirely valid to approach meditation with a healthy dose of skepticism. In fact, skepticism can be a powerful ally in your journey, prompting you to question and explore deeply. However, when we frame the effort required for meditation in the grand scheme of things, it becomes clear that the investment is relatively minor, especially when weighed against the potential benefits.

Consider the effort involved in other common activities for a bit of perspective. If you decide to hit the gym for a 45-minute workout, factoring in travel time and a quick shower, you're looking at a commitment of about 90 minutes per session. Over 45 days, dedicating 450 minutes to meditation equates to only five gym sessions, or one session every nine days. Isn't the well-being of your mind worth at least as much attention as your physical fitness?

Let's explore another comparison: learning to drive. A quick search reveals that the recommended preparation involves around 45 hours of professional lessons plus 20 hours of practice. That's a whopping 3,900 minutes — nearly ten times the commitment required to give meditation a fair trial.

On a day-to-day basis, let's say you're fortunate enough to get a full eight hours of sleep each night, leaving you with 960 waking minutes each day. Allocating just 10 minutes to meditation accounts for a little over 1% of your waking hours. When you think about it, dedicating just 1% of your day to cultivate wisdom, contentment, and a positive impact on not only yourself but also those around you seems like a remarkably efficient investment. Sign me up!



So, when viewed through the lens of daily activities and commitments, the effort required to engage in a 45-day meditation practice is not only manageable but also a wise allocation of your time. The potential for profound personal growth and well-being far outweighs the modest investment of time, making it an opportunity well worth exploring.

Meditation, in its essence, is a profoundly transformative practice, yet its mechanisms are often misunderstood. It's common to enter into meditation with the expectation of immediate tranquility, presence, or happiness. However, the path to these states through meditation is more nuanced than direct. Meditation facilitates a shift in how we engage with our thoughts, emotions, our interactions with others, and our perception of the world. It's these shifts that pave the way to peace, calm, and contentment.

Understanding why meditation requires time and patience is essential. The perspectives and emotional responses we carry are the result of genetic predispositions and decades of experiences. Many of our reactions are deeply embedded habits, ingrained in our neural pathways and triggered automatically. For instance, anger doesn't arise as a conscious choice; it flares up, often before we're fully aware of it. Recognising anger is one thing; diffusing it simply because we think we should is another matter entirely.

Meditation's true gift lies in its ability to gradually untangle these deep-seated patterns. It's not merely an intellectual exercise that one can agree with in principle. Rather, it's a practice that gently opens the heart to these insights, allowing them to evolve into a lived experience.

It's worth noting that meditation can sometimes lead to discomfort. This is because it confronts us with our realities, challenging us to see things as they are rather than how we wish them to be. Real change, especially that which involves altering the fabric of our habitual thoughts and behaviours, is inherently difficult and demands time.

Integrating meditation into daily life enhances its impact without demanding additional time. By recalling the essence of your meditation sessions throughout the day — whether through mindful breathing, observing emotions without judgment, or practicing compassion — you accelerate the transformative process. Each moment of mindfulness acts as a catalyst, deepening the practice's effects and enriching your journey towards a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

It's wonderful to hear that you've already established a meditation habit and have accumulated some experience. This foundation is invaluable, and if you're content with your current practice, I encourage you to maintain it.

However, if you're feeling drawn to deepen your practice, there's definitely room to explore further. Expanding your meditation time can lead to significant insights and shifts in perception. Whether you're considering a temporary increase or aiming to permanently extend your sessions, both approaches can be highly beneficial.

If you're curious about the impact of meditating for longer periods and currently meditate for around 10 minutes a day, why not experiment by extending your sessions to 20 minutes for a short trial of 10 days? Afterwards, take some time to reflect on any changes or new insights you've experienced.

For those integrating Daily 10 into their practice, extending a session might seem challenging at first. A simple strategy is to continue meditating for an additional 10 minutes after the guided portion concludes. Focus on the elements of the session that resonated with you most, and mentally revisit these for the extra time. Conclude with a positive intention, wishing for the benefits of your practice to extend to yourself and others. This approach can seamlessly enrich your experience.

For those already dedicating 20 minutes or more to their daily practice and seeking to delve deeper, connecting with a meditation community or teacher can open new doors. Many communities offer online courses that can significantly enhance your understanding and practice. One notable organisation, centred around the teachings of my own teacher, is Tergar. Engaging with such a community can provide structured guidance and support as you explore the more profound aspects of meditation.

The key is to ensure you have a solid, consistent practice as your foundation before increasing your meditation time. This steady base will support your growth and ensure your efforts lead to meaningful progress in your meditation journey.

Concluding thoughts: Embracing the journey of meditation 💕

Meditation is indeed a transformative habit, one that I wholeheartedly believe everyone should try. The benefits it brings to your life — enhanced mindfulness, greater peace, and a deeper understanding of your own mind — are truly invaluable.

For those just beginning to explore the world of meditation, starting with a manageable commitment of 10 minutes per day for about 45 days is a practical approach. This period allows you to truly engage with the practice and observe its effects on your life. Once you've reached the end of this initial phase, take a moment to reflect on your experiences. If you find value in the changes you've noticed, whether they're big or small, I encourage you to continue on this path, allowing meditation to become a cherished and lifelong habit.

Remember, the journey into meditation is deeply personal and unfolds differently for everyone. What remains constant, however, is the potential for growth, insight, and inner peace that meditation offers. So, whether you're just starting out or seeking to deepen an existing practice, know that every moment spent in meditation is a step toward a more mindful and fulfilling life. We’re here to support you on your meditation journey — at Daily 10 we’ve made it our mission to make people lastingly happier.

Happy meditating,  🌱

Stefan