“Be willing to be flexible enough to change, to do something different.”
- Bill Harris
Issue #471 – Monday, April 14, 2025
Have you ever started something with genuine excitement—only to watch that excitement quietly fade over time?
It happens more than we’d like to admit, even with something as meaningful as meditation. You begin with the best intentions. Maybe you’re seeking peace, healing, clarity… but before long, your practice feels flat, repetitive, or even pointless.
And you’re left wondering, Why don’t I feel the way I used to?
If you’ve ever found yourself skipping sessions, losing interest, or questioning whether your meditation is still “working,” I have just the thing for you.
Today I’m sharing a mind-opening essay from Mind Power Managing Editor Ryan Standifird that explores a surprising reason why so many people—newcomers and seasoned meditators alike—struggle to keep going, even when they want to.
More importantly, he shares exactly what you can do to rekindle the spark and deepen your practice.
You don’t have to give up on meditation. You just may need to approach it in a whole new way.
I know you’re going to love this!
Cheers,
MaryEllen Tribby
Centerpointe CEO
P.S.
We’re just a couple of days away from our next live CoachingCast! Join us as we explore the potential of gamma brainwaves, how they play a major role in creating your reality, and how you can harness their power to improve your life.
Scroll down to the “Check it Out” section below to learn more!
Is “Spiritual Boredom” Sabotaging Your Meditation? Why We Stop Meditating & How to Keep Going
By Ryan Standifird
The first time I tried meditation, I’ll admit it didn’t go well.
Sitting cross-legged on the ground for long periods of time has always been tough for me, and despite the instructor telling me to focus on my breathing and to clear my thoughts, I couldn’t help but think about the drama in my life. The school work I was procrastinating on, the argument my girlfriend and I had the night before, my parents’ fresh divorce - these were the underlying reasons I wanted to try meditation in the first place.
But sitting there on the grass, in the warm shadow of the college campus clock tower, and surrounded by other students who signed up for this free group meditation session…
…I was just bored. And slightly annoyed. And uncomfortable.
I couldn’t help but think that I was wasting my time. Valuable time I could be using to play video games or hang out with my friends. It was silly of me to think this “meditation” thing would fix all my problems. It’s not even working. I don’t feel better at all.
So I grabbed my backpack, stood up, wiped the grass off my pants and mouthed the words, “Sorry, I gotta go,” to the frowning instructor as I quietly crept away.
Who Meditates, & Who Doesn’t?
My first experience with meditation is probably different from yours. But it’s certainly not rare.
In fact, most people who try meditation don’t make it a daily habit. They hear about it from a friend, or they sign up for a class, or they watch a youtube video and give it a shot. But according to a 2024 study from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, most people (about 62%) who have tried meditation at least once have never meditated more than 100 times in their lives.
And even among those who consider themselves “active” meditators, only about 22% make it a daily habit, and only about 25% do it at least once a week.
That means that more than half of “active” meditators only meditate a couple of times a month - or less.
Top Excuses Not to Meditate
So why, despite all the evidence that meditation is good for you, do people fail to make it a frequent habit?
Reason 1: It feels like a waste of time.
This is exactly how I felt the first time I tried to meditate. And it’s completely understandable. Our fast-paced society has trained us to see action as productive, and inaction as wasteful. Ironically, it’s often the folks who are so caught up in their busy lives that they don’t have time to meditate, who probably need meditation the most.
Reason 2: It can be confusing.
“Clear your mind,” the instructor said. “Focus only on your breathing.”
“Yeah, okay, easier said than done,” I remember thinking to myself. I was getting frustrated. I didn’t know what I was doing. I was trying to force myself to relax. I was trying too hard to meditate.
This is a common experience with folks who are new to meditation. One search for “how to meditate” on the internet and you’ll find 100 different techniques for 100 different meditations. No wonder it can be frustrating!
Reason 3: The benefits aren’t immediate.
If I’d instantly felt better in the first couple of minutes that I started that meditation class 15 years ago, I probably would have stuck with it.
If we think that we aren’t getting the benefits, then we won’t be willing to put in the work. And the truth is that traditional meditation just doesn’t give you the kind of instant gratification we’re accustomed to in our modern fast-paced society.
The Rise of Spiritual Boredom
The excuses above are common for folks who are new to meditation. But what about those who consider themselves active meditators? After all, as I mentioned before, more than half of them don’t even meditate every week!
Why do these folks, who have likely experienced some of the benefits of meditation already, struggle to meditate consistently?
Scientists think they found the answer: Boredom.
Specifically, Spiritual Boredom.
According to a study from the University of Vienna that looked at over 1,200 adults who engaged in a variety of spiritual practices - from yoga and meditation to religious sermons - scientists found that spiritual boredom was present, and was a factor when people would stop engaging in their favored practice.
So, how does spiritual boredom occur?
Three Reasons for Spiritual Boredom
The scientists found three reasons why someone might get spiritually bored.
Being under-challenged.
When you’ve been doing the same routine over and over, it can get monotonous. Boredom arises when you feel you aren’t being pushed to grow. For example, someone who repeats the same prayer day after day might have struggled to memorize it and understand it at first, but after a while once it is memorized, they could get bored and start to dissociate with the meaning of the prayer, lessening its impact on their growth.
Being over-challenged.
Likewise, when you are over-challenged, it can leave you feeling like you aren’t in the right place. A beginner who steps into an advanced yoga class, for example, and who can’t do 90% of the poses can easily start to get bored.
The perceived value of the practice isn’t worth the effort anymore.
Let’s say you started meditating because you just had your heart broken, you were chronically stressed, and this was a way for you to find some peace. But after a year of consistent practice, that emotional wound has been mostly healed. You don’t have the same kind of stress that you used to. You’re happy as you go about your day and are even dating again.
So now you might be bored with your meditation practice, putting it off to do other things that you think have more value. Like going out to dinner or chatting with your new girlfriend.
How to Keep from Getting Spiritually Bored
So, how can you keep spiritual boredom at bay? Here are three strategies you can use:
Mix It Up with Different Practices
If you’re finding that your usual meditation routine is getting boring, try a different form of meditation, like a guided visualization, progressive body scan, or even a “loving-kindness” meditation. Each technique has its own focus and benefits, providing new challenges and insights. You can even incorporate other spiritual or mindfulness practices like yoga, tai chi, or qi gong for a bigger twist!
Engage in Community
Connecting with others who share your spiritual interests can bring a positive element to your experience. Joining a meditation group, participating in workshops, or joining one of our live CoachingCasts can help you feel part of a community, making your practice more enjoyable and less isolating.
Go to a Deeper Level
If you’re part of the Holosync Solution Program (Awakening Prologue and Deeper Levels), and you’re getting bored with your current level, that usually means that you’re ready for your next Deeper Level. Each new Deeper Level contains stronger carrier frequencies to push your brain to get more resilient against stress and create new neural connections.
Remember that if you start to feel spiritually bored, you can give our coaches a call and they can help you find some more enriching ways to practice your meditations.
Full Circle
I’ve come a long way since that very first meditation attempt 15 years back. But if I’m being honest, if it wasn’t for Holosync, I probably would never have become a consistent meditator.
Holosync is different from every other meditation technique I’ve tried before. I could sit in a comfortable chair, I didn’t have to “hum” or “om” or chant, and I actually felt something happening during and after listening.
I loved it. It made sense. And it was easy to do every day, no confusing instructions.
So if you’re reading this and you haven’t tried Holosync yet, I’m telling you, it’s worth a shot.
You can listen to a free 15-minute sample right here:
Check It Out:
Join Our Free, Live CoachingCast!
The Key to Clarity, Focus, and Profound Awareness:
How Gamma Brainwaves Can Transform Your Life
Join us on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 for another fun, free, LIVE CoachingCast where we’ll reveal how gamma brainwaves can unlock your brain’s full potential! We’ll explore the role gamma plays in our everyday lives, the natural way we create them, and how you can easily boost your brain’s gamma waves to improve your life. You won’t want to miss this!
Wise Words
“If we think that we aren’t getting the benefits, then we won’t be willing to put in the work.” - Ryan Standifird
This Really Happened
I feel calm and have more clarity for the first three days. The days have been wonderful. I love 💕 the new Holosync app.
~Linda B.
MyHolosync User
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