The point is, there is no wrong way to meditate as long as you are finding peace and stillness within yourself. The more you do the practice, the more it will evolve to become your own.
Millions of people around the world meditate regularly for many different reasons. It has infinite benefits that continue to be discovered by practitioners every day. Some people find that it helps them relieve stress, while others use it as a spiritual practice to focus and connect with their inner selves. I believe it is the most effective method to remember who and why you truly are.
Before beginning a regular meditation practice, it is important to do your research and understand what you are getting into. Below are five things I feel are important to know about meditating.
1. Types of meditation: Mindfulness, mantra, and breath-focused
Mindfulness Meditation: being present in the now moment.
Meditation is an age-old practice that continues to evolve. There are many different forms of meditation you can try. They all share a similar goal: to focus the mind, achieve a state of peace and relaxation, and become more self-aware. Three common types of meditation are mindfulness, mantra, and breath-focused meditations.
- Mindfulness meditation is the practice of learning to be present in every now moment.
- Mantra meditation is the practice of repeating a word or phrase to focus the mind.
- Breath-focused meditation is the practice of observing your breath to calm the mind and attain alternate states of consciousness.
Attempting any of these types of meditations or a different one you come across is better than not doing the practice at all.
2. The best way to meditate: What works for you may not work for everyone
When it comes to meditating, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. What works for one person may not work for another. Some people prefer to sit in a quiet room, while others may find that outside noises or movements help them focus. Some people like to use mantras, while others prefer to focus on their breath.
I began my practice by learning to observe my breath without interfering with it. It has since evolved to include mantras, visualizations, and sometimes, full-body movements as seen in many yoga practices.
The point is, there is no wrong way to meditate as long as you are finding peace and stillness within yourself. The more you do the practice, the more it will evolve to become your own.
3. How to deal with distractions: What to do when your mind starts to wander
When you notice that your mind has wandered, don’t get frustrated; simply bring your attention back to your meditation practice.
It’s normal for your mind to wander when you’re meditating. In fact, it’s actually a good thing because it means that your mind is relaxed and open. It also means you are paying attention to it because you notice that it is wandering. When you notice that your mind has wandered, don’t get frustrated; simply bring your attention back to your meditation practice.
If you are doing a breath-focused meditation, bring your attention back to your breath. If you are doing a mantra meditation, go back to reciting the mantra. As your practice develops, you will notice that you are able to stay focused longer without your mind wandering as much.
4. Finding the time to meditate: Tips for fitting it into your schedule
Start meditating to be more productive and focused.
In our fast-paced society, it can be hard to find time to fit in everything we want to do. This is especially true for meditation, a practice that can seem like it takes up a lot of time and offers no benefits. Actually, the benefits are infinite.
With a little creativity, it’s possible to find ways to fit meditating into your busy schedule. Below are some tips:
- Wake up earlier in the morning and meditate 5 to 10 minutes before you start your day.
- Use your break time at work to complete a quick meditation.
- Dedicate a specific time each evening, like right before bed, to meditate.
- Meditate while standing in line at the grocery store or post office.
- Find a meditating partner and support each other.
- Join a group or gym that offers regular meditation sessions.
5. The benefits of a regular meditating practice: Remembering who and why you truly are
When you meditate, you quiet the mind and create space for your true self to shine through. This can help you connect with your intuition and inner guidance, which can help you make better decisions in your life. A regular meditation practice can also be the key to unlocking your highest potential and living a life you love. This is the ultimate benefit of meditating but it is not the only one. I bet you have your own reasons for starting a meditation practice.
It is no secret that meditation can have profound benefits for the body, mind, and spirit. You can read about some of these benefits in the post, 4 Experiences you’ll have when you start meditating.
