Perhaps the most common problem we run into when doing our Step 11 meditation is distraction. We're able to meditate for a short time, and then thoughts start crowding in. And all too often we forget that we're meditating and chase after the thoughts.

Being distracted is just a part of meditation practice. Usually we're told simply to draw our mind back gently to the focus of our meditation, rather than trying to fight the distraction.

But there is something else we can do to reduce the number of distractions, and that's to do a quick Step 10 before we start our meditation. Step 10 is designed to remove our fears - little fears as well as big fears. And most of our distractions are the result of little fears.

A brief Step 10 - asking ourselves if we're being selfish, dishonest, resentful, or fearful, and then asking whatever higher power we have to remove those things - can often result in a more peaceful Step 11 meditation.