Sitting in the Power (or Sitting with Spirit) is a powerful practice that helps you connect with your inner self, higher consciousness, and the spiritual realm.
But this simple practice comes with its own set of challenges.
In this blog post, we will explore 10 common challenges you might face during your Sitting in the Power meditation and provide practical tips to overcome them.
1. Having a restless or overactive mind
One of the most common challenges of Sitting in the Power is dealing with a busy mind, often called the “monkey mind.” It can be hard to quiet the continuous flow of thoughts and find inner stillness.
To overcome this, try using guided meditations with soothing music. Focus on your breath and simply observe your thoughts as they bubble to the surface and then disappear. You can also use visualization techniques or practice grounding and mindfulness exercises throughout the day to anchor your awareness in the present moment.
2. Dealing with negative thoughts, self judgement and criticism
It’s common to experience negative thoughts like self-judgment or criticism when Sitting with Spirit. As we turn our attention inward, we become aware of the negative mental chatter that we often ignore when we’re distracted or disconnected from our inner selves.
When these negative thoughts arise, it can feel uncomfortable. However, this is a powerful practice for those seeking spiritual growth. The key to overcoming this challenge is to acknowledge the thoughts and observe what arises within us. And notice how do these negative thoughts affect our emotions?
Instead of trying to suppress or change the thoughts using affirmations, we open ourselves up to the experience, release expectations, and embrace the process of spiritual exploration without judgment.
3. Feeling emotionally overwhelmed
Sitting in the Power can sometimes stir up strong emotions, which might feel overwhelming. However, this is actually a natural process of releasing trapped emotions that have been stored within our bodies from past and present emotional wounds.
Creating a safe and non-judgmental space for yourself during the practice is crucial. Allow yourself to fully experience any emotions that arise, without getting caught up in the story behind them. Simply feel the intensity of the emotion, knowing that it is part of your healing process. Although it may initially be uncomfortable, the sense of relief that comes afterward is truly blissful.
Remember, if you feel the need for additional support or guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out to a spiritual mentor or counselor. They can provide valuable insights and help you heal and spiritually grow.
4. Feeling physical discomfort in the body
Sitting for an extended period can lead to physical discomfort, such as back pain or stiffness. To overcome this, experiment with different sitting postures, use supportive cushions or consider incorporating gentle stretching exercises or yoga to prepare your body for the practice.
But if that still doesn’t help, you can try standing and walking meditations. These alternative practices can help you stay alert and still actively engage in your spiritual practice. Find what works best for you and adapt your meditation approach accordingly.
5. Falling asleep whilst sitting in the power
Falling asleep whilst sitting in the power is a common challenge that many psychic mediums face. This often happens when we feel very cosy, tired, or meditate before bedtime with dim lighting.
To overcome this challenge, it’s important to choose a time of day when you are fully awake and alert. Find a comfortable chair with back support where you can sit in an upright position. Ideally sit in a well-lit room or gently keep your eyes partially open to maintain focus. If you prefer a darker environment, you can try candle-gazing meditations, as it can help you stay awake.
6. Having unrealistic expectations of this practice
Sitting with Spirit is a transformational process but requires patience and an open mind. Often, people expect life-changing experiences, instant spiritual revelations, or extraordinary encounters.
However, connecting with spirit is a slow and gradual process of self-discovery. This personal experience is unique and varies in intensity depending on our needs and potential for growth. There is no specific objective or goal to work towards. We simply need to embrace the present moment, become one with universal consciousness, and allow our spiritual essence to return home.
7. Dealing with interruptions and distractions
Interruptions and distractions can affect our Sitting in the Power practice, making it difficult to connect with the spirit world.
That’s why it is important to address this early on and avoid feeling stressed or flustered.
It is important to find a quiet and secluded space where we can fully relax. If there are other people around we can deter interruptions by placing a “do not disturb” sign on the door to let others know not to enter while you’re sitting in the power.
If on the other hand, external noises are bothering you, try playing gentle background music or soothing nature sounds to mask any external sounds. Creating a more serene atmosphere can help us relax and more easily surrender to the spirit world.
If the interruptions and external noises persist despite your efforts, it may be helpful to explore alternative times of the day or different locations for your meditative practice.
8. Difficulty sticking to a regular sitting in the power practice
Starting a new habit can feel challenging. Although we may have every intention to sit in the power, we may forget to meditate and often let things slide.
But there are a few things that we can do to overcome this challenge. One great approach is to pair our meditation practice with an existing habit. According to James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits this is one of the most powerful ways you can start a new habit and make it stick. For example, you might choose to “sit in the power” right after enjoying your morning cup of tea or just before jumping into the shower.
Another option is to allocate time within your work calendar or to-do list. By setting aside and recording it in our daily schedule, we’re more likely to turn it into a lasting habit. And for those of you that regularly lose track of time, don’t forget to set an alarm or reminder on your phone.
Remember, to start with shorter practice sessions and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable with the practice. Commit to just 10 minutes a day and make it one of your non-negotiables.
9. Not finding time to sit in the power meditation
Finding time to sit in the power somehow always ends up at the bottom of our list. But if we really want to develop our mediumship and spiritual growth we need to find time in our busy schedules to connect with the spirit.
Begin by looking for any gaps in your schedule or unproductive moments during the day, such as commuting to or from work. Remember that even a few minutes of dedicated practice can be meaningful. And, if you don’t currently have time for a session of sitting in the power, don’t panic.
Instead, try being more mindful throughout the day, take a couple of deep breaths every time you make a coffee, jump into an elevator, or open a door. It is all about taking time to check in with yourself.
Don’t put additional pressure on yourself. Then once your schedule becomes more manageable you will more likely resume your daily or weekly practice.
10. Finding sitting in the power boring or monotonous
Some people may wonder why they experience the same thought patterns or emotions during Sitting in the Power meditation.
Well, it’s important to recognize that throughout our lives, we have experienced many situations that made us feel emotions such as sadness, anger, resentment, hatred, and fear.
If we feel the same emotion during our practice, it simply means that we haven’t fully released our emotional baggage or let go of our attachment to our thought patterns.
Sitting with spirit is a journey of self-exploration, allowing us to discover our profound connection to the spiritual realm. We simply need to embrace the present moment, accept our experiences and fully experience it.
However, for those looking to spice up their meditation practice, you could also consider including prayers, mantras or visualisation into your daily routine.
Want to learn “how to sit in the power?“. Then check out my step-by-step guide to help you sit with spirit and get the most out of your practice.
Concluding thoughts
In conclusion, Sitting in the Power is a transformative practice for connecting with your inner self and the spiritual realm.
In summary, the 10 most common challenges of sitting in the power include the following:
- Experiencing an active and restless mind.
- Coping with negative thoughts, self-judgment, and criticism.
- Feeling overwhelmed emotionally.
- Experiencing physical discomfort in the body.
- Drifting off to sleep while in a seated position.
- Holding unrealistic expectations for this practice.
- Managing interruptions and distractions.
- Struggling to maintain a consistent sitting-in-the-power routine.
- Difficulty finding time for sitting-in-the-power meditation.
- Finding sitting in the power to be tedious or monotonous.
By recognizing and addressing these common obstacles, you can cultivate a more enriching and transformative practice. Embrace the journey, be compassionate towards yourself, and allow your spiritual essence to unfold.
