The mind is a busy hive of thoughts and we are jumping from ideas to emotions to memories for most of our waking hours.
During meditation you will begin to witness how much movement happens in the mind and how little you live in the present moment.
You can learn to observe your thoughts and perhaps begin to change them.
Taking a step back and witnessing your thoughts instead of identifying with them is the key to meditation.
Once you get deeper into your practice, you will learn to manage your thoughts and eventually understand yourself better.
Here are 10 tips to help you get started and / or improve existing meditation practice:
1. Find Your Space
Set up a meditation space.
Somewhere calm, quiet, and not too cluttered.
Setting up a comfortable atmosphere will help to create the right mood for meditation and you can return to the same space to practice, which will immediately get your into the right mindset.
Some people may like to play soothing mediative music in the background. This option is a purely personal choice.
A darker room / no bright light may help relax your eyes; or you could even use an eye mask.
2. Find Time
Choose a time when your mind is calm.
As soon as you wake up in the morning, before looking at your phone, computer, or talking to anyone would be ideal.
However, night time meditation practice is also a great way to bring your day to a calm closure.
3. Establish a Routine
Using the same time and place each day will help you to be able to relax into the practice more quickly.
4. Be Comfortable
Sit comfortably, with your spine tall and your chin tucked down slightly. Make sure you are warm and supported by a wall or blanket if you need to.
Although sitting is the preferred way, lieing down on your back is equally beneficial, replicating the straight spine dipped chin and relaxed shoulders. Just be mindful that you are more likely to fall asleep in this position.
(Lieing on your side is not recommended)
5. Remember to Breathe
Breathe deeply. Regulating your breath will help your mind and body to relax.
You could start with 3/5 minutes deep breathing and then slow it down.
6. Don’t Be Attached
Your mind will wander, thoughts will be jumping in. Allow them to pass by without judgement or frustration.
Do not attach yourself to the thoughts. Just simply acknowledge them and allow them to pass by; and then guide your focus back to your breath.
(If you get anxious that you are thinking too much, then you will become restless and find it harder to relax.)
7. Focus
Setting your attention on a point may help you focus.
You can use an image or bring your attention to one of your chakras or even one of your body parts, like your heart.
Keep the eyes closed and focus on your intention, resting the mind here.
8. Observe
Detach yourself from your thoughts.
You can keep the concentration on one point while watching your mind.
See what comes up.
9. Meditate
Meditation comes when you reach a state of pure thought. You are aware of the mind and thus can witness the self.
10. Build Your Practice
You can begin to practice for 3/5 minutes a day; moving up to 10 minutes a day, building up your practice as you get used to it and find more stillness.
Taking ten minutes to meditate in the morning will give you time, awareness, and concentration throughout the day.
We possess a source of wisdom, peace, and happiness deep inside us.
With a little practice we can begin to access it and all the worries that we had begin to drift away.
We are getting to know our true selves,
and that is a beautiful thing 🌸💖🙏
