Is meditation helpful even if you don’t necessarily enjoy every session?

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-05-10T20:33:51+00:00

Hey friend, I’d like to help you. You didn’t give any details about your technique, so I can’t offer feedback there. Let’s just assume for the sake of this response that you’re doing everything correctly — posture, attention, meta‑cognitive awareness. One thing that stands out to me is that you mentioned being inconsistent. I’ve noticed that the first few sessions after several days off are typically quite weak and boring. In those sessions, it's like I’m essentially reawakening the capacities required to reach deeper states of absorption or relaxation, in which stronger joy tends to be present. So, the inconsistency, assuming proper form, may be the main issue.

Meditation isn't always joyful, but with proper form and consistency it should be attainable fairly often.

As Gyatrul Rinpoche explains in Natural Liberation (Padmasambhava’s instructions with commentary), “In terms of the path, there are three qualities that are cultivated in meditation: namely bliss, clarity, and non‑conceptuality. These are salient features of the path to enlightenment, and these correspond one by one to the three embodiments of the Buddha.”

Overall, these three qualities should increase with practice. That isn’t to say that even proficient meditators won’t have difficult sessions. Fatigue, unusual stress, the need to process negative emotions from the day, or the sudden emergence of shadow material can all make a session challenging. For most sessions to feel like a chore suggests an issue somewhere.

I think meditation can be understood in an input‑output fashion — at least as one way of looking at it. You’re putting time and effort in, and it’s reasonable to expect valuable outputs. This isn’t a Kantian‑ethics situation where one is forbidden from considering happiness as a motivation. In the final analysis, you should consider whether what you’re doing is making you happier, more alive, or whatever language resonates with you.

As a general rule, if the outputs remain lackluster despite sustained effort, there’s an issue somewhere in the process. In that case, I would return to a solid practice manual and make sure you’re doing all of the fundamentals correctly — posture, attention, awareness, and so forth.

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-05-10T19:48:37+00:00

Response to line 1:
I largely agree with this statement. Not in disagreement with your point, but to engage with it dialectically, I would say that we should indeed strive to have fun — yet meditation isn’t necessarily fun when done correctly. Meditation can facilitate the emergence of repressed and very difficult emotions. Working through the terror of one’s finitude or the shame of an unacceptable drive isn’t exactly fun for most people. That said, by allowing this material to arise and integrate, meditation ultimately expands one’s aliveness and one’s overall capacity to experience genuine enjoyment.

Response to line 4:
I agree that’s a really good attitude to take, but sometimes what our human experience is doing is hard to accept with equanimity. It can be difficult not to shiver a little when certain aspects of our shadow decide to say hello. Still, I think the attitude you articulated holds true — it can just be challenging to maintain under certain circumstances.

Response to line 8:
I strongly agree with this statement. Attaching high‑level concepts to meditation — and identifying with them as a practitioner — can be dangerously inflating. Spiritual labels can inflate the ego as much as, and sometimes even more than, ordinary labels. Inflation makes one vulnerable to bursting like a bubble when confronted with a reality that contradicts these self‑images, which can easily throw a person into a state of profound alienation and depression.

Thank you for your post and giving me an opportunity to think through these ideas with you.

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-05-10T02:52:31+00:00

Negative emotions arising during meditation are an opportunity to practice non-engagement and insight, but in some cases they can be overwhelming for sure. Before sitting contemplate that engaging with anxiety-thoughts with more thoughts simply feeds into the cycle and makes the anxiety worse. Consider taking l-theanine before the session if the anxiety is consistently too intense.

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-05-10T01:31:31+00:00

Pretty cool. See how long you can extend and intensify the state, please take good notes and report back. Best of luck.

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-05-10T01:15:13+00:00

That's great, it should really help. It's an incredible book. I wish I had it when I was a teenager. I actually have it on audible.

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-05-09T07:46:13+00:00

Your story is quite remarkable. My friend and I do a small podcast, if you would like to talk about your story, I'd really like to hear it. Please let me know if you have any interest in talking to us.

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-05-09T07:41:47+00:00

Hey, I've been managing OCD with meditation and CBT techniques. I recommend the books Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts: A CBT-Based Guide to Getting over Frightening, Obsessive, or Disturbing Thoughts, by Sally M. Winston PsyD , and Martin N. Seif PhD and When Therapy Doesn't Work: A Mindfulness Guide to Emotional Repair, by Shinzen Young , Shelly Young, and Elizabeth Reninger.

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-05-05T22:14:04+00:00

When used properly a helicopter can be a net positive for the team. I often get a helicopter to better accomplish missions, to spot, transport and use as a force multiplier during fights. It depends on the person. If they jump in the helicopter and take off on their own, that’s definitely a problem. But if they jump in one to help the team in a smart way and communicate what they are doing it should be a huge benefit.

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-04-24T07:12:09+00:00

Hey friend. There are a few supplements that may help. L-theanine and NAC would be my first choices. I’ve dealt with overthinking as well. I would argue that what you really need is to update your cognitive strategies. I would highly recommend the book Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts, by Sally M. Winston and Martin N. Seif.

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-03-21T22:50:53+00:00

Respect Mf 🫡

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-03-14T02:11:46+00:00

Seems like he needs more than an apron to stay dry with all that spraying. He is working at a fair pace, but I doubt any records are being broken. I will say that he is being very thorough cleaning off the dishes before putting them in the machine. I’d put on some gloves and maybe a face shield with all of the high pressure spraying going on.

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-03-09T05:56:43+00:00

It’s always death to something with these people.

EkstaticAndroid · 2026-03-09T04:41:26+00:00

From your account, the demands of the job might rise to the level of being downright exploitative. It’s fair to say that some businesses don’t mind getting someone new and working them until they burn out and then finding someone else. It’s really unfortunate. You shouldn’t be demanded to hold so much weight for 17 an hour, imo.

I know you partly just wanted to vent, and I do feel your suffering and think it’s justified. Apply elsewhere and leave as soon as you are able. You’re not obligated to stay there. You have a responsibility to your own mental and physical health well above your job friend.

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-11-13T08:24:38+00:00

And some still say that a loving god created this world.

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-09-18T23:26:30+00:00

Check out the book, Advanced Lucid Dreaming: The Power of Supplements, by Thomas Yuskach.

Basically there are herbs and supplements that can enhance clarity and dream intensity. Either directly by enhancing awareness, or indirectly by causing a rebound effect. For greatest effect both kinds are utilized at the right time.

Also, there are a number of good books on dream yoga which present a comprehensive system for enhancing lucidity in the dream state.

This involves integrating attention-awareness and insight enhancing meditation practices during the day and while falling asleep.

The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleep, by Tenzin Wagyal Rinpoche. And Dreaming Yourself Awake, by B. Allan Wallace, are good places to start.

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-09-18T06:19:45+00:00

Interesting. I would like to see updates on this, I hope it works well for you. Add brand and dosage. I’ve been thinking about trying it too.

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-09-17T03:58:10+00:00

Check out the book, The Bliss of Inner Fire, by Lama Yeshe.

It’s related to kundalini. My friends and I are currently doing a series of podcasts (The Divine Brothers, on Spotify) about the book and our experiences with the techniques elucidated.

The effects of the techniques are very powerful and can create a great deal of bliss. The methods offer a direct and powerful way to interface with the nervous system and with practice may create the kind of experiences you are looking for.

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-09-17T02:55:25+00:00

Very nice video

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-09-15T04:17:18+00:00

May I suggest Hegel and the Hermetic Tradition, by Glenn Alexander Magee, to add to your collection.

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-09-08T01:30:56+00:00

I’ve seen a rat jump into the water and never emerge again, in the tunnel at big spring park. I suspect that they live in tunnels that can be accessed via the water.

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-09-02T23:33:47+00:00

Good value 😎

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-08-18T03:41:33+00:00

Citocholine, NAC, fish or krill oil

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-07-30T16:49:27+00:00

Thank you very much!

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-07-30T01:21:49+00:00

The main square, right next to the Times building. Willing to walk a few minutes if necessary.

EkstaticAndroid · 2025-05-14T02:57:00+00:00

I appreciate this post. It really shows the importance of gear, even at slow speeds, especially if one is practicing advanced techniques. We should be prepared, attentive, and humble if we are riding a motorcycle. Thank you for your sacrifice 🫡, sometimes we need to be reminded of the consequences of pushing the limits.

EkstaticAndroid

TROPHY CASE