Meditation helps channel the minds inner peace and calm. If only people knew that it’s not as complicated and difficult as they think it is, more people can enjoy its benefits. Here’s a helpful guide to help you understand the basics of meditation.
Preparing to Meditate
Before you start meditating, it’s absolutely important that you prepare yourself. This way, you can keep away all distractions in your environment and simply focus on meditating. It doesn’t matter if you will be meditating for a few minutes or as long as an hour, you must prepare for it.
1. Find a peaceful mediation space. Your choice of meditation space must be free of clutter and distractions. It must be completely silent, without the sound from the television, appliances, or your mobile phone.
2. Wear comfortable clothing. You won’t be able to meditate in your office clothes or your jeans. It’s time to take out your comfortable clothes and remove your footwear.
3. Decide your meditation time. As much as possible, you should meditate for the same period everyday. It can be for 5 minutes during lunch time or 30 minutes before you go to sleep. Stick to your meditation time, and don’t deviate from it as much as you can.
4. Be comfortable, then close your eyes. You can be a half-lotus, lotus, or by sitting on a meditation mat. Whatever your position is, you must be in a relaxed position right before you close your eyes.
Practicing your Meditation
You’re not expected to be a pro at mediation right away. In fact, it might take a while for you to fully reap the benefits of meditation. So, how, exactly, are you supposed to start meditating?
1. Mind your breathing. Breathing meditation is often the starting point of meditation, and for good reason. It all starts by focusing on your breathing, all the while making it as natural as possible. Sometimes, your mind will be prone to wandering off in different directions; this is fine, as meditation takes practice.
2. Have a mantra. Another common meditation method is to repeat a mantra—be it a word or a sound—until you enter into a deep meditative state. Once you go into a deeper level of consciousness, you can start letting go of your mantra.
3. Centralize your focus on a visual object. By concentrating on something—a flower, picture, statue, or anything else that’s around you—you will find yourself having an easier time meditating.
4. Visualize. Here’s another helpful meditative technique: visualization. As you close your eyes, imagine yourself in a completely different place. Allow yourself to explore your own sanctuary in your head, and take in everything in your surroundings.
