Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche on how us lazy people can start meditation

Mingyur Rinpoche, founder of Bodhgaya’s giant Tergar Monastery and author of numerous widely praised books on Buddhist practice including The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness and Joyful Wisdom: Embracing Change and Finding Freedom, has a new video out on the topic: “I’m Too Lazy to Start a Meditation Practice.”

Substitute “Busy” for “Lazy” and I think we’ll have most of the non-meditating world covered.

So if you find yourself saying “I’m too lazy” or “I’m too busy” to start that daily meditation routine, here are some excellent words of wisdom:

“Don’t worry – don’t fight with the laziness. Accept laziness, and you can try to play with your laziness. 

How? Because, I think one of the problems for the practitioner … is doing too much the first time:

Mmmm! Today! I’m gonna practice from today on. Or from tomorrow on!

And then you go back home and meditate [sleeping sounds].

You cannot meditate if you’re dull/uncomfortable, or you push too much, your monkey mind becomes wild [wired?]. So many thinking…”

Mingyur Rinpoche goes on to recommend a sort of balanced effort – not too much, not too little – as well as an integration of your meditation and daily life.

All of this, you’ll find, is at times easier said than done, but if meditation is something you’re hoping to cultivate in your life, it’s worth a shot to follow this advice, have a short sit, and try to do it again soon.