Introduction to Meditation
Meditation is an age-old practice that can help you overcome stress, anxiety, depression, and many other issues. With the increasing popularity of mediation programs in schools and college campuses across the country, it’s never been easier to take up this practice.
As a beginner, you’ve been wondering how to start meditating. The following guide will show you how.
#1: Set a Calming Environment.
When it comes to meditation, the environment and setting are really important! Try creating an environment in your home that is calming and serene. You can do this by placing items such as flowers, pictures of nature or peaceful scenery on your desk or window sill. These things will keep your mind focused on something other than the stresses of daily life that may be plaguing you. You can also try installing calming music, although many people prefer having complete silence while meditating to avoid distractions.
It’s also important to make sure that you are comfortable while meditating. Take the time to sit on a good cushion, or even just on your bed, and make sure that your back is supported by pillows. Try to avoid meditating in a rushed state, if you have 5 minutes or less try doing some deep breathing or stretching while you wait for the time to pass. It’s best to have at least 5 minutes of meditation before starting a task at hand.
#2: Find Your Zen Zone.
Once you’ve created a calm and serene environment, it’s time to find your Zen zone. Meditation takes a lot of practice, so it may take several tries to find the right posture for your comfort level. All beginners go through the same stages, so this guide will show you how to find your Zen zone.
You can start by meditating in an upright position, either seated or lying down. Once you have found a comfortable position and are able to stay focused on breathing for at least 3 minutes, try adding music into the mix! You can try listening to meditation music or instrumental music that makes you feel relaxed when your mind wanders from concentration on your breath. You may want to start with instrumental music first.
Another way to fall into meditation is by moving your eyes constantly. The movements of your gaze will help you to focus on your breathing and steady your mind. Follow along with the music you’re listening to and move your eyes in a repetitive pattern, such as keeping one eye closed while watching the movement of the other eye or moving both eyes together in a circle. Make sure to keep breathing steady and lightly, and proceed with your eyes until you feel completely relaxed.
#3: Make the Meditation a Habit.
One of the most popular ways to meditate is by practicing mantra meditation or simply repeating a word, sound or phrase over and over again in your mind. The word may help you focus while identifying with the purpose of your meditation. It can range from “Om” to something as simple as “I am”. Once you have found a mantra that resonates with you, it’s important to get into the habit of repeating it every single time a thought pops into your mind.
Some experts suggest that you meditate for a period of time each day, and others suggest that you only meditate when you feel the need to. The choice is up to you, but remember to make meditation a habit by repeating your mantra at all times. It may seem like a difficult task at first, but if you stick with it, you will start feeling lighter and more relaxed as the days go by. Keep in mind that meditation is not just about achieving an elusive state of calm – it’s about learning how to identify your thoughts and emotions as they happen. To achieve this, you need to practice meditation over and over again until it becomes a part of your everyday life.
#4: Take a Walk.
How do you get into the habit of meditation? You’ve probably been wondering. It’s not as complicated as it may seem, if you follow these simple steps: meditate whenever and wherever you feel the need to, and take a walk around your home or neighborhood every morning and evening. A brisk walk will help to increase your awareness of your surroundings so that you can focus on what is happening around you rather than getting lost in thought. Make sure that you are traveling in a direction that doesn’t cause too much stress in your mind or body, such as walking at night when there is little traffic around. You can also try listening to meditation music or instrumental music that will help you stay calm during your walk.
#5: Practice Mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the ability to notice thoughts and feelings without judging them, which is often called the art of nonjudgmental awareness. Instead of letting your thoughts stress you out, practice awareness by noticing each one as it arises in your mind. It’s not as simple as it sounds, but it’s a very effective method to master your emotions and learn how to focus on what’s happening around you rather than letting anxiety take over.
The easiest way to practice mindfulness is to practice meditation. When you meditate, make sure that you’re aware of your thoughts and feelings that arise during the meditation process. Try not to get caught up in obsessive thinking or negative self-talk so that you can observe your mind without getting lost in your emotions. Another great way to practice mindfulness is by taking a walk every day after breakfast, or even better yet, have a passive outdoor activity, such as gardening or tending to a flower garden.
#6: Keep Your Mind Clean With Meditation Apps.
Many meditation apps are available on the Play Store that help you keep your mind clean by focusing on breathing and clearing your head. There are also apps available that will help you find your Zen zone by guiding you through the steps of meditation. Some of the best ones out there are Insight Timer, Omvana, Buddhify and Simply Being.
Insight Timer is one of the most popular meditation apps that has several thousand guided meditations for free with a premium subscription option for just $3.99 per month. The app features a timer, as well as a wide variety of options to choose from including bells and gongs to help you meditate without being distracted.
Omvana is another great app that has more than 500 meditation sessions along with music designed for relaxing and clearing your mind on the go or at home.
Conclusion
Meditation is a tricky thing to master, especially if you’re a beginner, but once you get the hang of it, it can be an extremely beneficial practice for life. It allows you to observe your mind and body without judgment and with a sense of understanding. It will help you deal with emotions that get out of hand, help you become more focused and aware of your surroundings. You’ll feel lighter and less stressed-out as time goes by. Start today with one or all of these 5 easy steps to follow anytime, anywhere.