Am I Meditating Correctly? Am I Doing the Right Kind? | FAQ With Teacher-Of-The-Month Dawn Mauricio

Overview

This episode dives into common meditation questions, such as how to choose the right type of meditation and whether you're doing it right. Teacher-of-the-Month Dawn Mauricio shares practical strategies for tailoring meditation practices to individual needs, emphasizing flexibility, self-awareness, and the importance of cultivating a personalized approach.

Notable Quotes

- None of it matters. It’s not what we’re doing that makes the difference—it’s the quality of attention we’re bringing to whatever it is we’re doing. – Dawn Mauricio, on the essence of meditation.

- Can we aim for good enough? Knowing that even if it’s not perfect, qualities like patience, compassion, and equanimity are still being cultivated. – Dawn Mauricio, on overcoming perfectionism in meditation.

- Of course you want this to be different. And this is what it’s like right now. – Dawn Mauricio, on meeting resistance with kindness during challenging times.

🧘‍♀️ How to Choose the Right Meditation Practice

- Dawn Mauricio recommends starting with a quick check-in:

- Assess your body—are you feeling aches, tension, or fatigue? This can guide whether you sit, lie down, or even try walking meditation.

- Check your internal state—are you anxious, calm, or emotionally tender? Choose a practice that aligns with your current mental/emotional state (e.g., loving-kindness for tenderness, open awareness for calmness).

- Bookmark a few favorite guided meditations to avoid decision paralysis. Once you choose one, commit to it for the session.

🌀 Overcoming Resistance and Perfectionism

- Resistance to checking in with yourself is common. If it feels overwhelming, default to a familiar practice like mindfulness of the breath.

- Perfectionism can hinder meditation. Instead of seeking the perfect practice, focus on what feels good enough and recognize that every session cultivates valuable qualities like patience and compassion.

- Dawn emphasizes that meditation is not about maintaining streaks or earning gold stars—it’s about the quality of attention you bring to the moment.

🚶‍♂️ Adapting Meditation to Life’s Challenges

- Dawn shares how recovering from a torn ACL shifted her practice. Limited mobility led her to embrace walking meditation, which she previously avoided.

- She highlights the importance of meeting resistance or frustration with kindness, acknowledging the desire for things to be different while accepting the present moment.

📚 Building a Meditation Toolkit

- Having 2-3 go-to practices can simplify decision-making and make meditation more accessible during stressful moments.

- These foundational practices can also become second nature, helping you respond skillfully to challenges in daily life (e.g., staying calm in traffic).

🌟 The Transformative Power of Attention

- The specific meditation technique matters less than the quality of attention you bring to it. Whether you’re focusing on your breath, emotions, or even the act of choosing a meditation, mindfulness can be cultivated in any context.

- Dawn encourages listeners to let go of rigid rules and embrace the transformative potential of simply being present.