Meditation for Beginners

What is meditation, and is it as complicated as it looks? The second question can be answered with a definite "no". A little more explanation is required to answer the first question, which will also explain why meditation is easier than it appears.

During meditation, your mind and body are in a state of conscious relaxation and focus. You will experience sharpened awareness of both your outer surroundings and your inner being.

There are numerous schools of thought regarding meditation. At their core, however, the principles are the same. The key to the practice of meditation is to calm your mind by eliminating negative thoughts through intense focus. Afterwards, your thoughts will be less scattered and your actions more purposeful.

Think of it as housekeeping of the mind. Your negative thoughts and emotions (picture your reaction when faced with construction delays, being put on hold endlessly, and your brother's upcoming trip to Europe) are what "pollute" your mind. Meditation "cleanses" the mind, allowing you to focus on the things that really matter.

"Where" is as Important as "How"

Your meditation session will be most effective in a calm environment. Find a room in the house where you feel comfortable. If there are other people at home, choose a location where you can close the door and muffle the noise. Turn off the phone, the dishwasher, the washing machine, and don't let anyone vacuum.

Once meditating is part of your routine, you'll likely want some extras to enhance the experience. Calming meditation tapes, some aromatic candles and a meditation chair or pillow will help to set the stage.

Get Comfortable

You're sure to have seen the usual pictures of people meditating in unlikely positions with perfect posture. Rest assured that there's no need to contort your body to experience meditation. The idea is to be comfortable so that you can focus on meditating, not your stretched muscles. You can sit, stand, lie down, or even walk around. The choice is yours.

It is important, however, to keep your back straight while sitting or standing. No slumping allowed, or you might just fall asleep. To help you be comfortable in your chosen position, you'll want to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes so that you're not focusing on your waistband digging into your gut. You have more important things to focus on.

Ohmm

Many practitioners of meditation incorporate a mantra into their routine. A mantra is a word or sound that is continuously repeated, and your full concentration should be on nothing but that sound. Pick a word or phrase that has meaning to you, or just a sound that feels good. Although not a necessary component of meditation, it does help you to focus on your breathing and can lead you to a higher state of consciousness.

The key to a successful meditation experience is focus. Choose an object in your mind or in your line of vision, and concentrate on it to the exclusion of everything else. The same applies to a specific thought as well as to your mantra.

For a simple routine to get you started, settle yourself in your quite location. Close your eyes, and imagine each part of your body in order, either from the bottom up or top down. Wordlessly name each part as you concentrate on it and give it your complete attention. You'll notice right away if a particular location is tense or painful. In your mind, imagine the tension leaving your body. You'll be astonished and pleased by the results.

About the Author

Keira Adams writes about women's wellness, including meditation techniques. If you want to know more about this calming practice, visit Meditation-Info.

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