Last time we talked about the benefits of meditating, today we’re going to talk about HOW you should go about meditating. While meditation can be done in various ways and with various methods, guided meditation is a good way to start. As you find what methods and techniques work for you, having someone guide you along the way is useful. This guidance can come from joining a class, getting together with friends, and there are other options including phone apps, YouTube videos, and podcasts.
No matter what route you choose, it all starts with mindfulness. For meditation to take effect and benefit you in the best way possible, you must be in the right head space. You must be attentive to what is happening, what you are doing, what you are feeling, what you are sensing. If you start taking your deep breaths while the mind is thinking about the work day, what bills you have upcoming, or what you’re having for dinner the next day, then you’re not allowing the deep breath to work.
Instead, as you take the deep breath, focus on how it makes you feel. Focus on the breath itself – what do you feel when you breathe in? Picture the breath coming in through your nose, going throughout your lungs, and then being exhaled out your mouth. Let that deep breath work by being aware of your mindfulness.
Be aware of your posture and body positioning. Mindfulness is as much about preparing the body as it is preparing the mind. That same deep breath will work much better if it has a clear path to roam your body. Sitting on a chair, with (bare) feet planted on the ground, hands and arms at lower chest/waist level, provide a clearer path than half-sitting/half-lying on a chair with a foot hanging over the side.
When meditating, you’ll want to be aware of your surroundings, so make sure you pick the right surrounding. A local park at 6 in the morning will be quieter than a ballpark at 6 in the evening. Is it possible to meditate in a crowded setting? Sure, maybe for a more advanced practitioner, but not for the beginner. As you find your way in meditation, you will find the settings (space, clothing, music, etc.) that work best for you.
As you begin your journey in meditating, be realistic and stay optimistic. Don’t run before you can walk. Don’t try a 60-minute meditation if you’ve never even done a 60 second one. Be patient and gentle with yourself. This here is another good example of quality over quantity. If mindfulness and purposefulness mediation is an area you struggle with, or if you have questions about meditation in general, then I encourage you to reach out and contact Roxanne.
[Featured Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay]
