Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, and it’s known for being associated with numerous benefits. However, it can be daunting for beginners. Thankfully, the guidance below could put your mind at ease and make you a more seasoned meditator.
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1.Get Into Practice
Whether you meditate for 15 minutes or five, it’s important to do so daily. The more regularly you practice the habit, the easier it should be to keep at it.
2.Don’t Get Upset By Perceived Shortcomings
You’ll inevitably have some meditation sessions that don’t go as well as you’d hoped. Even so, don’t become discouraged. You’re participating in a learning process.
3.Wear Comfortable Clothes
The more comfortable you are, the more likely it is you’ll be able to enter into a calmer state. The choice of what you wear is up to you. Just make sure the attire is comfy.
4.Sit Or Lie Down To Meditate
The position you use for meditation is also very open and should be dictated by what’s best for you. It might be preferable to switch between sitting and lying down, depending on the day or your mood.
5.Realize Meditation Is Highly Personalized
Some people think there is a very specific way to meditate. The truth is that the best method is the one that puts you most at ease, even if it’s not exactly like something that someone’s done before.
6.Practice Breathing From The Diaphragm
A meditative state is often easier to achieve with the help of deep breaths. If you feel yourself starting to take shallow breaths, coach yourself to breathe from your diaphragm, and ideally keep doing that for the whole session.
7.Understand There Is No Need To Stick To One Kind
Transcendental Meditation and Christian Meditation are just two possible kinds to try. No matter what, don’t force yourself into practicing just one type unless that’s truly your preference.
8.Don’t Become Too Concerned With Open Or Closed Eyes
Whereas some people prefer to meditate with their eyes open, others find they are less likely to be distracted when their eyes are closed. Feel free to try both ways and see which one gives the best results.
9.Find A Quiet Place
It’s especially easy to get distracted when you are first beginning to meditate. Avoid that outcome by picking a place that’s as free from distractions as possible. You may want to turn off your phone’s ringer and let other household members know you shouldn’t be disturbed for a while.
10.Keep Expectations Low At First
Many people ultimately give up on meditation because they are not progressing as fast as they’d expected. Because it is often hard for people to switch into the state of mind that’s necessary for meditation, diligent practice is essential. However, keep in mind that you won’t likely be a superstar meditator after a month or even a year. Cherish the goals you do meet, but don’t beat yourself up if things aren’t always going as expected.
11.Accept That Your Mind May Wander
Contrary to popular belief, the goal of meditation is not to have a completely empty mind, but to rather be able to quickly return to focus when the mind wanders. Don’t get too caught up about losing focus, but do aim to quickly return to a focused state.
12.Be Kind To Yourself
Meditation may bring back powerful memories of hurtful situations you thought you’d overcome. If that happens, don’t become stuck in the past. Instead, fixate on the present, and praise yourself for how far you’ve come.
13.Feel Free To Meditate Anywhere
When you’re first starting, it will probably be easier to meditate in a set place and during a specific time. As you improve, though, it will be possible to meditate as you commute to work on the subway, walk in the park, and so on. There is no need to limit yourself to only meditating in particular places.
14.Embrace The Belief That There’s No “Ideal Age” For Meditation
A great thing about meditation is anyone can practice it, regardless of age or ability level. You may want to get your whole household in on the activity.
15.Understand That There Are Various Reasons To Meditate
Some people may meditate for health reasons because they are very stressed, while others are doing so just because they want to have better concentration. Those are just two examples. The point is, there are numerous things that may compel a person to meditate, and there isn’t one that’s more correct than another.
16.Remember That Religion Is Not An Essential Part Of Meditating
Although followers of some faiths see meditation as an essential part of their religions, you do not have to be religious to meditate.
17.Adjust Your Schedule To Suit Meditation
You may find it works best to meditate at night or when you wake up 15 minutes before your partner to do it in the morning. Regardless of the specifics, be open to adjusting your schedule as necessary.
18.Share Insights With Trusted Fellow Meditators
You’ll probably discover things about yourself when meditating. If you have trustworthy friends who also meditate, think about filling them in on those personal growth gems and encourage them to do the same with you.
19.Adopt Meditation As A Lifetime Habit
You may begin meditating with a specific goal or purpose in mind. If you get to the point where you’ve achieved it, don’t let your accomplishment become an excuse for not continuing.
20.Pick A Focal Point
If you find it is hard to stay committed during meditation, choose a point in space on which to focus. It might be a candle flame, photo on the wall, or a nearby object, to name but a few.
21.Don’t Become Discouraged
Just like almost everything in life, you’ll likely encounter challenges during meditation. Work hard to not become let down by those plateaus. Remember, they’re just temporary setbacks.
22.Consider Getting A Teacher
If you’re eager to grow beyond self-taught meditation, think about learning from a qualified teacher. Community centers, public libraries and healthcare centers are some places that may hold meditation classes.
23.Become Aware Of Tension
If your body is trying to resist meditation, or even if you’ve just had a rough day, your body may be very tense. Try to become especially aware of tight muscles and work specifically to relax them.
24.Reflect On Emotions That Arise
As mentioned earlier, meditation may cause you to feel strong emotions. No matter what sort of emotions come up, aim to simply notice they’re there, while keeping a detached viewpoint. Doing that should encourage therapeutic reflection, rather than permitting the emotions to dominate you.
25.Go On A Meditation Retreat
Getting to know other people who meditate may be especially helpful in the early stages of your life as a meditator. Think about planning a weekend where you go somewhere peaceful and meet with other enthusiasts during meditation retreats.
Hopefully, you’ll find that these tips are not only useful, but they have answered some common questions. Happy meditating!
