The Myth Of Perfect Meditation (Or Anything Else)

“This is why I don’t meditate”. It was a gif a friend sent me on Instagram a while back. I think it was a daft video of a raccoon sitting to meditate with every conceivable problem spinning in his head. So much so, the racoon exploded or something. I don’t know. It was pretty funny, but also, as a mindfulness guide, a bit frustrating. So maybe this one’s a rant, friend, but one you probably need more than you think.

Like that daft racoon, you probably sit to meditate, or try to do a slow yoga class, and your mind runs a million miles faster than it did ten minutes ago and you can’t sit still.

Or perhaps it’s a vinyasa class, or even a fitness class (this isn’t yoga or mindfulness specific) where you’re not doing quite the right number of squats, holding the pose for long enough, or balancing that well.

And the mistaken assumption is this: you’re not cut out for it, or—and this one’s the worst—you’re not good enough at it. You’re not fit enough, capable enough; you’re too busy, your mind isn’t made that way; it’s not for you. This is why you don’t do it.

But this is the thing: almost everything we do in life is about us striving for a balance we never actually arrive at.

Meditations encourage us to be open, centred, and focused, when actually we might never fully be those things. Yoga classes might expect us to balance with our eyes closed, or get our heels down in a downward dog, and we might never achieve it. Fitness classes ask us to do another rep when, actually, the tank is utterly empty.

We can apply this to everything. I try to keep up a writing habit as a part of my morning routine. Do I do it every day and perfectly maintain this habit? No way. Does this mean I’m not doing it right? Absolutely not.

It’s all missing the point. It’s not about ‘getting it right’ but the lessons we learn while we do it. You think, after 3 years of violin lessons and a wildly less than perfect practice habit I’m getting it right? No. I still sound like a cat who’s in some sort of trouble. But I’m learning to do a hard thing and it makes me happy.

Meditation isn’t about clearing your mind entirely. Yoga isn’t about the perfect pose. Life isn’t about ‘getting it right’.

The reality of where we are right now in this moment is more important than the ideals pushed on us by ‘wellness gurus’ and social media. Where are you right now? What can you do to find a little more balance? To take care of yourself? Do you need to stretch yourself, or take a break?

This is my favourite question when I’m feeling in a bit of a funk: what do I need right now? It’s never about finding perfect balance, my friend, but meeting ourselves where we are and taking steps to move toward a more balanced experience of reality. Perfect is an Instagram virus. Stay well clear.

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