When I first started meditating, some of the advice was lost on me. “Adopt a dignified posture,” one script began. Literally, these words were referring to some of the basics of how we sit: start with a straight back, head above heart, feet flat on the floor, hands and arms resting on the chair or in your lap.

What I heard was, “You need to look dignified.” Maybe in a posh British accent. Maybe with the speaker’s nose up in the air. That word, “dignified,” made me think about appearances, about how things look from the outside.

The spirit of mindfulness is the opposite of that. Observation—not manipulation.

Down the road, I heard this idea put another way, and it finally clicked: “We begin as if we mean to go on.” Ah. A meditation practice isn’t sustainable if you’re not supporting your back, your core, your lungs.

We can’t sustain life unless we behave as if it’s going to continue.

Writing prompt

“Ready” might be overrated (or, at the very least, besides the point). We can wait and wait to feel “ready” for lots of big, important things in life. But for most things, we might just decide to be ready enough.

There are plenty of little signals we can send to let ourselves know we’re all set. We might make the bed every morning. We might make a cup of tea before sitting down to write. We might light a candle before we eat or meditate or clean or dance.

What helps you begin as if you mean to go on?

Set a timer for five minutes. Try to focus on the bare bones, the basics, the items you’d put on a “deserted island” list. Choose a prompt to start, then write:

• “All I need to get started is…”
• “I felt ready once I…”
• “I can get by with just…”