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If you apply yourself, there will an improvement in your meditation. But you will have to work with the states of mind that you find yourself in. For example, if you meditate when you are wound up and tense, your initial experience will probably be unpleasant. But by bringing mind back to your breath, say, in the Mindfulness of Breathing, you will calm down and even, eventually, resolve the conflict causing the tension. 
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You may find that you sometimes get quite distracted in meditation. Sometimes in the Mindfulness of Breathing, you may be unable to stay with the breath for more than a few moments before drifting off - don't jump to the conclusion that you can't meditate. Meditation is often not an experience of a totally calm and quiet mind - experienced meditators also experience distractions. A worthwhile meditation is one where you make a steady effort. 
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Overall, you should expect to enjoy your meditation. A concentrated state of mind is also one that is very happy and relaxed. However, you probably will not feel enormous pleasure every single time you meditate. 
The way to work effectively in meditation is to stay aware of two things - what you are trying to do in the meditation, and what is happening inside you (in your heart, mind and body) as you meditate. Even outside meditation, being aware of the goings-on in your body and mind is an excellent preparation for meditation as you establish the habit of being aware. And the awareness that you develop in meditation will help you keep up this awareness outside meditation. 
Sometimes new meditators experience colours, patterns, voices, or other sounds when meditating. The general term for such experiences is samapatti. You might feel as though your body has become enormous - as large as a house, a mountain, or even a galaxy. Or you might feel tiny, microscopic. Usually these experiences are pleasant, if a bit odd. The occurrence of samapattis is a matter of temperament. Many people never experience them at all. They will eventually go away of their own accord. next page | back | order DVD |
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