Reflection: Meditation Is Like Playing Guitar

I recently started playing the guitar again and was struck by how similiar it can be to being on the path of meditation. What had seemed almost impossible the previous day was more possible the next. Let me tell you more...

Transcript

This month I started playing guitar again after a year-long break.

It was very difficult at first.

My hands and fingers felt as if they were asleep,

Ignoring where my mind clearly pointed them to go.

It was frustrating,

Especially since I was looking forward to learning a specific new song.

I find its melody very beautiful,

And I was looking forward to feeling it come to life in my own two hands.

The next day I tried again.

My fingers were still sleepwalking.

They were slow and imprecise.

The frustration came up again.

In the past I had been able to play songs without thinking,

And now with my attention strongly focused,

I couldn't do it anymore.

This time,

However,

I could hear bits of the melody,

Maybe a second or two at a time.

It was there,

Underneath the buzzing and flat sounding strings.

Day after day I sat down for a few minutes to keep trying,

And slowly the melody came out of hiding.

Little by little my fingers woke up.

What had seemed almost impossible the previous day was more possible today.

I could play the song,

Maybe not immediately or perfectly,

But it was happening little by little,

Even when it felt like it wasn't.

I just needed to retrain my hands.

Doing so with kindness and a sense of humor made it more enjoyable.

Meditation is no different.

The more we practice,

The more we can wake ourselves up little by little.

If we stick with our practice and let it be however it is,

Our inner melody,

Our calm and clarity,

Will be revealed more and more.

It's happening,

Even when it feels like it isn't.

Reviews

Very well said, paced and great insights. Please come back Jason we need more of this.
Hope you’re well. A new fan.
Blessings to all.
Warmly,
Anne Lagache

Thank you for your insightful metaphor. ♥️

That was really beautiful James. I’m about to have a life saving… unexpected & unplanned surgery. For a while, I will not be able to do many of the things I know how to easily do right now. It is just gonna take time. It will be frustrating. And will think of this meditation and come back again & again to have you remind me…again & again. Thank you so much for your energy & my energy crossing today. I am most grateful. Blessings to you

Apt metaphor! It certainly encourages me to keep going!

Helpful analogy

Great analogy! As a guitar player and meditator, I can totally relate. The more you practice, the better you get. Both take discipline. Simple but not easy. 😊

I do believe I've just become a better guitar player, as well as a better meditater. And both in under two minutes. Thank you 🎶 😊

Beautiful words, and I could relate. I didn’t play my guitar for 30 years and picked it up again and it changed my life. I hope you keep playing!

Wow! A powerful Volley! Thanks dear Jason

truth. ✌🏽

Great analogy and story ay, very true ay 😀😀😀

Wow! What a fantastic analogy. I can very much identify with your experience with the guitar. Very enlightening for such a short meditation. I loved it. Thank you!

Really like this one

Never stop playing guitar 🎸

Thank you! 🌷🌷🌷

Wonderful! Yes practice takes persistence no matter what we’re trying to learn.
Thank you for these encouraging word.
💕🐾🌺🦋💐🙏🏼🌹🌺🌸

Thank you for these words of encouragement! I really needed this today!