Meditation is an ancient spiritual practice that has found a growing audience in the US and other western countries. There is a wide range of health, emotional and spiritual benefits to the practice, including stress relief benefits. If you have tried meditation or wanted to try, it is easier to start than you think.
There are many different types of mediation and techniques that can be used to help beginners learn to meditate. This can include watching the breath, the use of mantras, creative visualization and other techniques. You can select the technique that best fits your needs, but you don’t have to use any of them
Meditation is a great way to free the mind of the constant stream of thoughts that fill our minds every day. Taking a break from that constant stream of thoughts, doubts and worry frees the mind, reduces stress and allows greater clarity and creativity to enter your life.
Although there are many techniques and methods that can be used to access the meditative state, none of these are needed. At its basic core, meditation can be practiced in a quiet room without any necessary equipment.
Find a quiet room and sit in a comfortable position. The most common form of meditation is done on a cushion or pillow in a simple cross legged position. Where and when you practice is not important. Having a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed is all you need to get started.
The problem many beginners face is trying too hard to enter the meditative state. If you are too focused on trying to relax and clear your mind, it may have the opposite effect. You may find that the harder you try to clear your mind, the more thoughts encroach on your attempts at relaxation.
Instead of struggling to empty your mind, relax and let go. Sit quietly, stay still and allow your thoughts to come as they will, but don’t put too much emphasis on them. Don’t analyze your thoughts or expend a lot of effort to empty your mind. Stay in the present moment and observe you thoughts.
Through this process, when you relax and don’t try to force it or focus too strongly on the content of your thoughts, you will find that it is easier to let go of your thoughts and the emotions that accompany various thoughts. This is almost an automatic process and you will find you are able to relax naturally from within by watching your breath and not getting caught up in every thought that arises.
As you settle into the practice and begin to shed your thoughts, you will feel a calmness that will stay with you throughout the day. Each time you practice, the meditation will be different and over time, you will find it easy to relax into meditation. In our competitive world, it is easy to get caught up in trying to master a new skill or practice instantly. Remember that meditation is an ongoing process and not something to be mastered on the first try, or even the first several attempts.