How to meditate
Ideas for how to begin daily meditation for people who've never tried it or feel like they couldn't ever get their mind to be quiet.
By Judd HandlerWed, Mar 09 2011 at 5:13 PM EST
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Photo: lisadragon/Flickr
Feeling scatterbrained? Stressed-out and overwhelmed? Depressed? It’s time to calm your mind. Here are some tips on how to meditate and the benefits you’ll receive from daily meditation.
Warning: your life might change if you start meditating. Eventually, you may:
- Develop appreciation for the mundane every-day tasks that bore you and keep you joyless.
- No longer be bombarded by the constantly chattering “monkey mind” that’s been taking up residence in your brain.
- Lower your blood pressure; perhaps you’ll be able to stop taking your meds.
- Recognize the illusion of problems your mind spins out of control; learn how to see the hilarity of every-day dramas.
- Attract more positivity in your life.
You gotta believe!
Can’t sit still for an hour while you’re in a position that seems like you’d strain your groin staying in it for any longer than a minute?
Don’t let that dissuade you from giving meditation a try. You don’t have to be like Buddha and sit in perfect “lotus pose” with your ankles up into your hip sockets. You can be seated in a chair or even lying down on your back staring up at the ceiling or sky.
Meditation doesn’t have to be an impossible spiritual pursuit necessitating pure stillness.
You can try moving meditations like tai chi or qi gong. Yoga classes can be meditative.
Some people even meditate while they walk. They concentrate on every step and attempt not to get distracted by their own thoughts.
Instead, focus is put on the setting, which can be anywhere that’s quiet (even if it’s the garage or laundry room). Anywhere that’s quiet and has natural beauty is a bonus.
Go for a walk and “be in the present,” paying close attention to the rustling of the leaves on a tree or a flock of birds flying overhead. While walking, also focus on the dynamic rhythms of the breath, with stomach and ribs expanding on the inhale and the deflations of the exhalations.
However you decide to meditate, the first baby step — but a very important one on the road to a calmer mind and less stressful life — is determining that you are ready for a change in your life.
Try telling yourself this: “I’m attracting peace in my life.” But don’t half-heartedly say it. You must truly feel that you’re going to be successful in focusing on the positive and calming the mind.
If you’re meditating because you heard Dr. Phil say it’s good for you, but you have your doubts it will do any good, you’ve already set yourself up for failure to make a powerful, uplifting change in your life.
How long should I meditate?
If you’re new to meditation, try just one to two minutes, maximum, at first, and notice how hard it is to not let your thoughts take over. Remember, the goal of mediation is to focus on your breath. You may also focus on a simple phrase you want to attract in your life — peace, wealth, wellness.
It’s OK if you have thoughts creeping in; Don’t give up at first. In fact, it’s not likely you’ll ever become a spiritual master and transport your spirit to another dimension. So when you notice your mind is focused on thoughts think of them as passing clouds.
Recognize the fact you’re thinking instead of meditating. Bring yourself back to your breath and phrase/mantra. Try staring at a candle flame. That will really zone your mind out. (Remember staring at campfires? How meditative!)
It won’t be easy, but it’ll be worth it
Very few people that try, say, guitar or surfing for the first time, are any good at it. It will be the same with mediation. Don’t give up. Eventually, try to meditate at least once in the morning and at night for at least 10 minutes. Stick with it and you will profoundly attract more peace in your life.
Got more tips for how to meditate? Leave us a note in the comments below.
Judd Handler is an Encinitas, Calf.-based lifestyle coach and health writer. He has been meditating, playing guitar and surfing for over a decade and wasn’t skilled at any of the three at first. He can be reached at CoachJudd@gmail.com.
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Comments
Maureen
02/17/2012 21:33 PM
Pink light bulbs work very well also they give a sense of well-being,warmth and cheer.
Dave
01/28/2012 08:34 AM
Use coloured light bulbs to enhance the surroundings. Blue and Green work best.
Anna
04/30/2011 17:06 PM
Suggestion: every article should have a button allowing to print the text, instead of having to print everything shown on the browser.
Maya
03/11/2011 07:58 AM
I find that yogic breathing exercises deepen meditation and clear my mind of thoughts making it easier to experience the silence. Art of Living teaches effective breathing techniques that remove the negative emotions from the system and preparing the mind for meditation. Experience this for yourself in the presence of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. see .... More
