Meditation, Awakening, and a Glimpse of Enlightenment: My Journey

MOMENTS & MEANING | Mindfulness & Growth

I am most certainly at best, an amateur meditator. I have been practicing for a little over a dozen years, sometimes consistently, sometimes not. I usually meditate alone in a quiet room. Many people prefer guided meditation, but I don’t. My main reason for meditation is simple. I am trying to improve mental calmness, clarity, and discipline.

Yet meditation is surprisingly hard. I usually practice for about ten to fifteen minutes, but on a good day I might make it five or six seconds before drifting into thought and having to start over. Occasionally I make it ten or fifteen. During those rare moments it feels like pushing against a collapsing bubble. It’s humbling just how little control I have over my own mind.

Sam Harris once described meditation perfectly. He said that in theory it is simple, but in practice it is exceptionally difficult. He compared it to walking a tightrope: step onto the rope, put one foot in front of the other, and do not fall. Simple, but far from easy.

I focus on my breathing. When I stay consistent, I notice subtle improvements. Less reactivity, more awareness, and a steadier sense of calm. Some speak of enlightenment, awakening, or blissful clarity. I have never reached that. Not even close. But I did have one moment, long before I ever meditated, that might have been a glimpse of it.

It happened over twenty years ago while I was deployed in the Middle East. Hardly the setting for transcendence. Yet one day I was suddenly overcome by an unmistakable sense of warmth and unity, as if I were inside one of those soft-focus Hallmark movie scenes. Everything seemed connected, peaceful, and deeply right. It lasted a few minutes, but it was unforgettable.

If that was a glimpse of awakening, even holding onto a fraction of it would be an incredible achievement. Maybe we are all capable of reaching it, with enough stillness and persistence. If more of us even tried, the world might be a calmer, kinder place.

Here’s to hoping for more enlightenment, one breath at a time.

Try this today. Sit quietly for five minutes and focus on your breath. When your mind wanders, gently bring it back. No judgment, no frustration, just awareness. Afterward, write down how you felt. Over time, notice if those moments of calm begin to last a little longer.