How has a long term practice in meditation affected you?

[Tobin S.]

I've tried beginning a practice in meditation several times in my life, but I usually haven't been able to stick with it for very long. But I started again a few months ago and I've been able to stay with it since then.

In the short term for me, the benefits have been psychological in nature. I've had several insights that I've never had before due to my meditation practice. It's been better for me than psychotherapy.

[Runningdawg]

1. I taught myself from a book at age 12

out of spite for my fundy upbringing who said it was the same as worshiping Satan. I started for the wrong reason, but I continued for the right ones. To be honest I would never have lived this long without it. It pulls me out of depression, calms my anxiety, keeps me focused on what I want to achieve in life and motivates me to keep trying.