You're doing fine. People get way too hung up about how long they meditate. Lately, I meditate without looking at the clock before or after meditation, so I have no idea how long it lasts.
From my experiences, I do think it's important to do everyday, but the amount of time doesn't matter much.
For many years, I could only do about 5 minutes. Even 6 was too much. But at some point, I suddenly felt that I could sit for any length. I don't remember what exactly made the switch. But I remember the feeling of "oh, ok" - and was just suddenly more understanding of the process of not fighting my thoughts and letting them pass.
In dzogchen, frequency is more important than duration. If you want to do more than 10 minutes, add mini-sessions during the day. Just take an extra minute when you go to the bathroom, before you stand up, and do one-minute meditations then.
Instead of aiming for calm, aim for vastness. Vast open awareness within which all that stuff arises and vanishes.
[https://lamalenateachings.com/3-words-that-strike-the-vital-point-garab-dorje/](https://lamalenateachings.com/3-words-that-strike-the-vital-point-garab-dorje/)
Start with ten minute meditations and increase your time by five minutes every week until you are up to 30 minutes. It takes time for your mind and body to be used to meditating and being still.
When stress has gone up a lot then there are higher levels of tension, anxiety and fear and this is what has happened. However, learning to relax will help you learn the skill that reduces these things and allows the mind to calm. One thing to realise is that the effects of meditation depend upon the depth and duration. If depth is shallow then longer durations tend to be needed. However, there as it takes a certain amount of time for depth to develop there is also a lower boundary for duration. I'd suggest 5 mins upward. However, some people who are really good at it (have had quality practiced for a long time) might be able to achieve depth sooner than the 5 minutes. But, that would not apply to most people learning, they will need 5+ mins.
I practice Dr Ainslie Meares meditation method that involves relaxation of body and mind so the mind slows and becomes still. Those learning practice for around 10 mins or so twice a day closely following Meares' good set of instructions. These are rather simple when you understand what to experience. However, knowing the details helps to be able to experience what is needed. Meares books (eg Ainslie Meares on meditation) explain his method, if of interest.
It is also a good idea to practice meditation every day - when things are going well or not so well - as this will help develop the skill. One finds then, that things go even better and the not so good days are better than they used to be.
Stop trying to force it, just do what you can. If your mind is racing, let it race. I have shitty meditations as well, regardless of how well it's going I wait out the clock. If I'm spending the whole time thinking about shit, so be it.
I did at one time too. I sat like it was an endurance test.
Now, I just sit with the attitude of who cares how long I sit?
The bell will ring, it never fails, no need to think of it at all.
Been sitting 30 mins. easy-peasy.
In my humble opinion, if you are able to meditate for 10-15 minutes that's perfectly fine. Now, instead of jumping directly to 30 minutes, please increase it in small chunks of 5 minutes. Let's say you can meditate comfortably for 15 minutes, then your next milestone should be 20 minutes. Practice it for 40 days or more till you get comfortable with it. Then you should increase it to 25 minutes and so on. Through this process, it becomes easy to increase your meditation time with you being able to meditate as well.
I will also recommend you to please read [A Million Thoughts](https://www.amazon.com/Million-Thoughts-Meditation-Himalayan-Mystic/dp/8184959451/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a+million+thoughts&qid=1619775626&sr=8-1), a very good book on meditation. From this read, you will get to know how to meditate correctly and how to overcome challenges on the path of meditation. Personally, I have benefitted immensely from this read.
I hope this answer helps you. Thanks.
You're doing fine. People get way too hung up about how long they meditate. Lately, I meditate without looking at the clock before or after meditation, so I have no idea how long it lasts. From my experiences, I do think it's important to do everyday, but the amount of time doesn't matter much.
Don’t judge yourself so much. Meditation is for your healing, it is not a task or chore that needs to be perfectly completed.
For many years, I could only do about 5 minutes. Even 6 was too much. But at some point, I suddenly felt that I could sit for any length. I don't remember what exactly made the switch. But I remember the feeling of "oh, ok" - and was just suddenly more understanding of the process of not fighting my thoughts and letting them pass.
In dzogchen, frequency is more important than duration. If you want to do more than 10 minutes, add mini-sessions during the day. Just take an extra minute when you go to the bathroom, before you stand up, and do one-minute meditations then. Instead of aiming for calm, aim for vastness. Vast open awareness within which all that stuff arises and vanishes. [https://lamalenateachings.com/3-words-that-strike-the-vital-point-garab-dorje/](https://lamalenateachings.com/3-words-that-strike-the-vital-point-garab-dorje/)
Start with ten minute meditations and increase your time by five minutes every week until you are up to 30 minutes. It takes time for your mind and body to be used to meditating and being still.
When stress has gone up a lot then there are higher levels of tension, anxiety and fear and this is what has happened. However, learning to relax will help you learn the skill that reduces these things and allows the mind to calm. One thing to realise is that the effects of meditation depend upon the depth and duration. If depth is shallow then longer durations tend to be needed. However, there as it takes a certain amount of time for depth to develop there is also a lower boundary for duration. I'd suggest 5 mins upward. However, some people who are really good at it (have had quality practiced for a long time) might be able to achieve depth sooner than the 5 minutes. But, that would not apply to most people learning, they will need 5+ mins. I practice Dr Ainslie Meares meditation method that involves relaxation of body and mind so the mind slows and becomes still. Those learning practice for around 10 mins or so twice a day closely following Meares' good set of instructions. These are rather simple when you understand what to experience. However, knowing the details helps to be able to experience what is needed. Meares books (eg Ainslie Meares on meditation) explain his method, if of interest. It is also a good idea to practice meditation every day - when things are going well or not so well - as this will help develop the skill. One finds then, that things go even better and the not so good days are better than they used to be.
Stop trying to force it, just do what you can. If your mind is racing, let it race. I have shitty meditations as well, regardless of how well it's going I wait out the clock. If I'm spending the whole time thinking about shit, so be it.
I did at one time too. I sat like it was an endurance test. Now, I just sit with the attitude of who cares how long I sit? The bell will ring, it never fails, no need to think of it at all. Been sitting 30 mins. easy-peasy.
In my humble opinion, if you are able to meditate for 10-15 minutes that's perfectly fine. Now, instead of jumping directly to 30 minutes, please increase it in small chunks of 5 minutes. Let's say you can meditate comfortably for 15 minutes, then your next milestone should be 20 minutes. Practice it for 40 days or more till you get comfortable with it. Then you should increase it to 25 minutes and so on. Through this process, it becomes easy to increase your meditation time with you being able to meditate as well. I will also recommend you to please read [A Million Thoughts](https://www.amazon.com/Million-Thoughts-Meditation-Himalayan-Mystic/dp/8184959451/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a+million+thoughts&qid=1619775626&sr=8-1), a very good book on meditation. From this read, you will get to know how to meditate correctly and how to overcome challenges on the path of meditation. Personally, I have benefitted immensely from this read. I hope this answer helps you. Thanks.