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WHY LEARN HOW TO MEDITATE?
There are numerous reasons to learn how to Meditate. Meditation improves many areas of llife including health, focus, and state of mind.
Many people have heard about all the benefits of meditation, but you must actually practice meditation to experience those benefits.
Anyone can learn how to meditate. You do not have to be special or adept to do it. However, it does take a strong desire and commitment to the practice. This is why many people claim they can’t do it.
If you are just beginning your meditation journey don’t be too hard on yourself if it doesn’t happen all at once. Be playful and experiment with different kinds of meditation.
Eventually you’ll find the technique that works for you!
STEP ONE: Choose a type of Meditation
Choose which kind of meditation you want to try first.
There are many different kinds and styles of meditation, but In my opinion they all fall into one of two basic kinds of meditation.
1) Mindfulness
With mindful meditation, the object is to quiet the mind
This can be achieved by picking a simple sound in your room to focus on. It could be the whirling of a fan or the sound of your own breath.
You could also listen to a frequency machine to put your self into a meditative state.
Simply focus on the sound, and when your thoughts start to wander, gently bring your focus back.
The important thing is using the sound to bring yourself into the present to stop thought. If your objective is to simply achieve an empty state of mind then this is the best kind of meditation to start with.
2) Guided meditations
The purpose of guided meditation is to block out the external world so you can actively direct your mind where you want it to go.
Guided meditations can be used for many different purposes.
There are meditations for connecting with your spirit guides. Some are for healing. Some are for astral projection.
My personal favorite guided meditations by Joe Dispenza. He has an array of different meditations. Some of them are used for optimal health and some are for creating an ideal future.
Step 2. Find a place and time where you won’t be disturbed
Be realistic when you are first learning how to meditate. Find a time in your schedule when you will actually be able to practice.
Meditation is a practice. No amount of learning about it will compensate for taking the time to actually do it.
There is no right or wrong time to practice meditation. Many people prefer mornings when the rest of the household is still asleep.
I personally prefer the middle of the day because my mind is so active when I first wake up it’s nearly impossible to do.
I get tired in the middle of the day so meditating around 2 or 2 pm is like plugging myself in so to speak.
Step 3: Start your practice
When you have picked a kind of meditation and have a place where you won’t be disturbed, then sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
- Make sure there are no distractions. Keep your cell phone ringer (or in do not disturb mode if you are using it to listen to a meditation)
I find it helpful to use headphones if you are listening to a meditation on your phone. It keeps out distractions.
- Wear something comfortable. Cover your eyes with a blanket or an eyemask.
- Practice your meditation for a designated amount of time without worrying about the results.
Do not get discouraged if your mind doesn’t shut off at first. Don’t try to stop the thoughts. Simply acknowledge them and return to your meditation until you are finished
Step 4: Keep a Journal
Keeping a meditation journal is a great way to stay motivated to meditate. Record any sensations that you experience during meditation.
Make a note of what worked to get into the meditative state. This is a good way to get insights on how to deepen your practice.
Important Points to remember:
- Be easy on yourself. Even if you feel like you didn’t achieve a meditative state right away, know that taking the time to practice is getting you closer to that goal.
- Keep it light and playful: try different kinds of meditation and see which one floats your boat. Everyone is different so there is no one size fits all. Having this attitude will make you more likely to follow through with meditation in the future.
- Remember Meditation is a long term goal. Although some people are able to achieve the meditative state right away, it is often something that takes time to achieve.
Commonly asked questions…
How often should I meditate?
It really depends. I generally meditate more when I feel like my energy is lower. Even a few minutes a day can be beneficial. Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t meditate everyday. In this day and age that is not always possible.
How will I know when I’ve reached the meditative state?
I personally know I have reached a meditative state when I just feel better. My heart feels more open and a sense of well being overcomes me.
Some people describe it as a feeling of floating where you feel kind of separate from your body.
You’ll know it when you experience it but don’t worry too much about it in the beginning because that can actually prevent you from experiencing that state.
Common Struggles with Meditation:
Some people report feeling pain if they are in the same position for too long. I always allow myself to move if I feel the need to
People are sometimes afraid they won’t be able to protect themselves when meditating. This can be alleviated by telling yourself that you will be alert and aware if there is any danger.
An important note:
Meditation does not always have to involve sitting or lying down undisturbed.
There are also walking meditations.
Some people report being able to meditate while standing in line at the grocery store, by focusing their mind gently on a sound.
However, it is important to note that you can not completely let go during these types of meditations for obvious safety reasons.
Need some Guidance in your journey….
I am a lifecoach specializing in happiness and life purpose.
Because I believe everyone’s needs and goals are different I offer as little or as many sessions as needed.
For a free 15 minute consultation e-mail me at aglassofcheri@gmail.com
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