Bliss More
How to Succeed in Meditation Without Really Trying
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Summary
Nestle into a world where tranquility isn't an elusive dream but a tangible reality. In "Bliss More," renowned meditation maestro Light Watkins unravels the secrets to turning meditation into a delightful habit rather than a chore. For those who feel meditation is beyond their reach—too chaotic, too uncomfortable, too time-consuming—this guide presents a groundbreaking E.A.S.Y. approach: Embrace, Accept, Surrender, Yield. Watkins debunks pervasive myths, offering candid advice and pragmatic techniques that transform meditation into an accessible, joyous practice. With vivid testimonials and a treasure trove of resources, this book promises to turn even the most skeptical readers into daily meditators. Whether you're just starting or looking to deepen your practice, "Bliss More" illuminates a serene path toward inner peace and happiness, offering a fresh perspective on achieving bliss in the hustle of everyday life.
Introduction
You've probably tried meditation before, only to find yourself wrestling with a mind that seems impossibly busy, sitting uncomfortably on the floor, wondering if you're doing it "right." Perhaps you've given up, convinced that meditation simply isn't for you. The truth is, most people struggle with meditation not because they lack ability, but because they've been taught to work too hard at it. What if the secret to successful meditation wasn't about forcing your mind into silence, but about embracing its natural tendency to wander? What if comfort, rather than rigid posture, was the key to deeper states? This revolutionary approach transforms meditation from a battle with your thoughts into a gentle dance with them, making the practice not only accessible but genuinely enjoyable for anyone willing to let go of old assumptions about how meditation should feel.
The E.A.S.Y. Approach to Effortless Meditation
The foundation of successful meditation lies in understanding that effort and force are actually obstacles to the very peace you're seeking. The E.A.S.Y. approach stands for Embrace, Accept, Surrender, and Yield, representing a complete departure from traditional meditation instruction that demands focus and concentration. Light Watkins discovered this truth during his own meditation journey. After years of struggling with conventional approaches, sitting rigidly with crossed legs and trying desperately to quiet his mind, he finally encountered a teacher who gave him revolutionary advice: sit comfortably on the couch with your back supported, and stop fighting your thoughts. This simple shift transformed his entire experience, moving him from frustration to genuine enjoyment in a matter of days. The transformation wasn't just about comfort, though that played a crucial role. When Light began embracing rather than resisting his wandering thoughts, accepting them as part of the process rather than obstacles to overcome, his meditations became effortless. He discovered that the mind naturally settles when given permission to roam freely, much like a curious child who becomes calm once they're allowed to explore without restriction. To implement the E.A.S.Y. approach, begin each meditation by finding the most comfortable seated position possible, preferably with back support. Close your eyes and start with the settling sound "ah-hum," thinking it gently and passively. When your mind wanders to thoughts about dinner, work, or random memories, simply embrace these experiences as correct meditation rather than distractions. Accept that whatever arises is exactly what should be happening in this moment. Remember that meditation isn't about achieving a particular state but about relating differently to whatever states arise. Practice surrendering your expectations of how meditation should feel or look, and yield to the natural intelligence of your mind and body. The beauty of this approach is that it removes the pressure to perform or achieve, replacing struggle with curiosity and gentleness. Your only job is to remain easy with whatever unfolds, trusting that this natural process leads to the deep rest and clarity you're seeking.
Embracing Your Busy Mind as the Path to Settling
Your busy mind isn't the enemy of meditation but rather its greatest ally, once you understand how to work with it properly. The misconception that a quiet mind is a prerequisite for successful meditation has caused more people to abandon the practice than perhaps any other single belief. Consider the experience of Otto, a Chicago radio DJ who was surviving on only ten hours of sleep per week due to chronic insomnia. His mind was so active that he'd given up on meditation multiple times, convinced his thoughts were simply too chaotic for the practice to work. However, when he learned to embrace rather than fight his mental activity, everything changed. Instead of trying to push away thoughts about his work, his relationships, or his anxieties, Otto began treating each thought as a welcome guest in his meditation. Within days of this shift in approach, Otto experienced his first full night's sleep in years. His mind hadn't become less active, but his relationship to that activity had transformed completely. He discovered that the same mental energy he'd been battling was actually the mechanism through which his nervous system released accumulated stress and tension. The thoughts weren't preventing deeper states of rest; they were facilitating them. This phenomenon occurs because thinking during meditation serves as a natural purification process. Just as physical exercise creates temporary discomfort that leads to greater strength and vitality, mental activity during meditation represents the release of stored stress that ultimately results in greater clarity and peace. To embrace your busy mind effectively, start by reframing your understanding of "successful" meditation. Instead of measuring success by the absence of thoughts, measure it by your ability to remain relaxed and accepting regardless of how many thoughts arise. When you notice your mind jumping from topic to topic, silently celebrate this as evidence that the practice is working. Develop a playful curiosity about your mental patterns rather than judgment. Notice how thoughts arise and dissolve naturally when you don't interfere with them. Practice returning gently to your settling sound whenever you remember, without any sense of having done something wrong. The goal isn't to eliminate thinking but to discover the natural stillness that exists alongside and beneath your thoughts. This stillness is always present; you simply learn to recognize it by accepting rather than rejecting your mental activity.
The Science of Stress Release and Deep Rest
Meditation works by triggering what Harvard researcher Dr. Herbert Benson termed the "relaxation response," a physiological state that directly counteracts the harmful effects of chronic stress on your body and mind. Understanding this process helps explain why meditation sometimes feels more challenging rather than immediately peaceful. Dr. Benson's groundbreaking research with Transcendental Meditation practitioners in the 1960s revealed that meditation produces measurable changes in the nervous system within minutes. Oxygen consumption decreased dramatically, heart rate and blood pressure dropped, and brain wave patterns shifted into states associated with deep rest. Most remarkably, twenty minutes of meditation provided rest equivalent to several hours of sleep, but with one crucial difference: the body remained alert rather than unconscious. George, a struggling playwright from Chicago, experienced this phenomenon firsthand. Despite coming to meditation primarily for stress management, he soon discovered unexpected physical benefits. Chronic foot pain that had plagued him for years began to subside within weeks of starting practice. His blood pressure, which had been dangerously elevated, gradually returned to normal ranges. Most surprisingly, digestive issues that had resisted medical treatment for over a decade finally resolved after three years of consistent meditation. These improvements occurred not because meditation directly heals specific conditions, but because it provides the deep rest necessary for the body's natural healing mechanisms to function optimally. During meditation, accumulated stress begins releasing from cellular memory, sometimes creating temporary discomfort or unusual sensations as old tensions dissolve. The stress release process explains why you might sometimes experience strange emotions, physical sensations, or vivid memories during meditation. These aren't signs that something is wrong; they're evidence that your nervous system is efficiently processing and eliminating stored stress. The key is to remain easy with these experiences rather than trying to control or analyze them. To support this natural healing process, maintain consistency in your practice even when meditations feel restless or uncomfortable. Keep meditation sessions between ten and twenty minutes, twice daily, allowing adequate time for stress release without overwhelming your system. Pay attention to how you feel outside of meditation rather than judging the quality of individual sessions. Trust that your body's intelligence knows exactly how to use the rest provided by meditation to restore balance and vitality. The scientific reality is that regular meditation practitioners consistently show improved markers of physical and mental health across virtually every measure researchers have studied.
From Practice to Life: Becoming Naturally Mindful
True mindfulness isn't something you have to work at or remember to do; it emerges naturally as a byproduct of regular meditation practice. This organic awareness represents a fundamental shift from living reactively to responding consciously from a place of inner stability and clarity. Jennifer, an artist in her sixties, discovered this transformation after three years of consistent practice. While walking to her sculpture class, a cyclist rudely called her a "fat bitch" as he sped past. In the past, such an incident would have triggered intense emotional reactivity, ruining her entire day and potentially affecting her for weeks. Instead, Jennifer found herself surprisingly unaffected. Rather than taking the comment personally, she spontaneously interpreted it as useful feedback about her health, appreciating the reminder to stay physically active as she aged. This response wasn't forced or intellectualized; it arose naturally from the inner stability that meditation had gradually cultivated. Jennifer's nervous system had become so much more resilient through regular practice that external circumstances could no longer easily disturb her equilibrium. She had developed what might be called "emotional immunity" to the random negativity that everyone encounters in daily life. This natural mindfulness extends far beyond managing difficult situations. Regular meditators consistently report enhanced creativity, improved relationships, better decision-making abilities, and an increased capacity to find joy in simple moments. Colors appear more vivid, conversations become more meaningful, and life takes on a quality of flow that makes challenges feel manageable rather than overwhelming. The transition from effortful mindfulness to natural presence happens gradually and often without conscious awareness. You might suddenly realize you're no longer rehearsing conversations before they happen or replaying them afterward. Problems that once consumed your mental energy begin resolving themselves with surprising ease. You develop an inner knowing about which opportunities to pursue and which to decline. To support this natural unfolding, focus on consistency in your meditation practice rather than trying to be mindful throughout the day. Trust that the clarity and presence you're cultivating during those twenty minutes of daily practice will automatically begin expressing itself in your interactions and decisions. Allow yourself to be surprised by moments of spontaneous wisdom or compassion that seem to arise from nowhere. These are signs that meditation is transforming not just your stress levels but your fundamental relationship to life itself. The goal isn't to become a perfect person but to become authentically yourself, free from the conditioning and reactivity that once defined your responses to life's inevitable challenges.
Summary
The journey from struggle to success in meditation requires nothing more than the willingness to approach the practice with ease rather than effort. As this exploration reveals, meditation becomes transformative not when we force our minds into stillness, but when we learn to embrace the natural intelligence of our thoughts and sensations. The E.A.S.Y. approach demonstrates that comfort, acceptance, and gentleness create the ideal conditions for deep rest and genuine insight to emerge spontaneously. Remember this fundamental truth: "The goal isn't to eliminate thinking but to discover the natural stillness that exists alongside and beneath your thoughts." Begin today with just ten minutes of comfortable sitting, allowing your mind to wander freely while occasionally returning to your settling sound, and trust that this simple practice holds the power to transform not only how you meditate but how you experience life itself.
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By Light Watkins
