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Meditation helps you to relax and reduce stress. Some report greater mental clarity or ability to focus. There are many benefits. It helps to experience the benefits directly. The benefits and results are different for each person.
You don’t need to move to an ashram to meditate effectively. You can fit meditation into your life easily, even if you are quite busy. Meditation doesn’t require hours per day. You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need to follow a specific path or tradition. There is no need to contort into pretzel-like positions. Your goal doesn’t have to be enlightenment.
Don’t worry if you skip a day. Over time, you’ll find that your meditation practice changes. Relax and flow with the changes you create. Also, don’t compare your practice or results to anyone else’s. Your path is unique.
Here are tips to get you started with your meditation practice:
Experiment and research. Try things out on your own. Or, find a meditation style or teacher that resonates with you. You also can use guided meditation recordings to help you get started too. There are many resources available on the Internet.
Select a time of day that works for you. You might wish to meditate first thing in the morning. Or you can meditate before you go to bed or possibly during your lunch hour. Be sure to sit up so that you don’t fall asleep. Again, experiment to see what works for you.
Find a quiet place. (You might wish to bring a blanket or shawl with you since the body’s temperature lowers as it relaxes.) Think about having a dedicated space for meditation. Start with 5 minutes, working your way up to 10-20 minutes. Some people meditate for longer periods. You don’t necessarily need to meditate for hours to reap the benefits. Even 2-3 minutes is helpful. Some like to set a timer for structure.
Start with the breath. Close your eyes and just observe your breath. Then, observe your thoughts. Just sit still without trying to control anything. The objective is to be still, not to clear your mind.
Try active forms of meditation. If sitting still doesn’t work for you, try moving meditation such as Tai Chi or yoga. Some have reported meditative effects from aerobic exercise such as walking, running, and bicycling. Even activities such as knitting, playing a musical instrument, gardening, or cleaning house can bring on the meditative state.
Enjoy your meditation practice. If you enjoy your meditation practice, it’s right for you. Be open to exploring new methods. Enjoy everything that unfolds for you.
Resources:
How to Meditate: www.ehow.com/how_5750_meditate.html
About Transcedental Meditation: www.tm.org/
Benefits of Meditation: http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/pto-20030424-000003.html
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