If you ever thought about learning how to meditate, but gave up the idea because you assumed it would be too hard, I’ve got a very important message to share with you.
Meditation is easy to learn!
Yes, this simple yet powerful practice, which has been used for many years for a multitude of positive benefits, can be done by anyone.
Meditation differs greatly from other challenges such as learning to play the piano or enrolling in a course on Tai Chi.
These arts can take months if not years to master and perform correctly, and a large portion of patience and perseverance is needed by the student.
But when it comes to meditation, its beauty lies in its simplicity.
You can start today by understanding and applying just a few basic principles. With steady practice, you can feel more relaxed, have better concentration, and be more focused and “alive” than you have been in a long, long time!
So don’t allow previous limiting beliefs to hold you back from experiencing something new…
Slowing Down The Mind
I think in today’s society, with the multitude of advances in technology jumping out around us, we have a tendency to over-complicate many of our endeavors.
This can lead to stress and frustration, which acts like a wall blocking us from bettering ourselves and our lives.
Meditation is a direct contrast to this inclination and can therefore change our perspective in a lot of ways.
Most importantly, we need to realize that all things do not have to be complicated in order to be effective.
The simple act of sitting still and breathing is as much a science as physics or chemistry…with no Phd required!
No special equipment is required either, so you don’t have to make a large investment to begin your journey.
Likewise, you won’t need much room as meditation can be done in any quiet area of your home. Heck, you can even do it outside if you live in a peaceful section of town or near the woods!
My main point is, nothing should stop you from meditating daily. Adding this to your routine for even a few minutes in the morning or evening can:
- Reduce stress
- Give you more energy
- Improve your body’s immune and cardiovascular systems
- Help you think more efficiently and be more creative
- Ease the effects of aging
- Allow you to be happier and more content
…And so much more!!!
The Basics
There are a bunch of different techniques of meditation, but they all pretty much involve the same basic principle.
You have to focus your complete attention on a word, object, mental image or sound, or even just your breathing.
I started out by staring at a twig for about 10-15 minutes every day, and with practice my concentration and focus really deepened.
Decide which method is most right for you and start with that. Try and stay with one method for at least a few weeks before switching to something different, they all work just as well.
When you feel your mind wandering during a session, don’t get angry or frustrated by this natural tendency. Relax and bring your focus back to your chosen method.
The mind may seem to be getting faster the more you try to slow it down, or you may feel uncomfortable physically while trying to sit still…this is all normal.
With time you will become the master over these distractions, and your meditation sessions will become like little “mental vacations” from everyday life.
You will look forward to this time as one of the highlights of your day, and people may start to wonder what the heck you are doing to make you look sooooo relaxed and happy!
At this point you will have discovered why people all over the world are learning how to meditate and practicing daily. And you’re probably asking yourself “Why did I wait so long to start doing this!”
Don’t worry, the most important moment of your life is RIGHT NOW, so make the most of it!!!
Q & A- Addressing Some Common Concerns
How do I start practicing meditation for the first time? Well, this really up to the individual. As I mentioned above, there are a variety of simple techniques that can all be effective over time. You need to pick one that feels right, and begin doing it regularly. That’s the key:) I will be writing more about specific practices in future articles, so check back to learn more!
Do I need to sit in a complicated position on the floor? This is quite painful for me. Many Westerners have difficulty sitting in certain postures common to meditation practice…myself included. But I’ve learned over the years that the most important thing is to keep your back straight and be comfortable. I sit in a straight-back chair now, or use a cushion to maintain support.
You can lie down but I don’t recommend it, especially for beginners. Your body may associate this position with sleep, and therefore cause you to slip away and doze off.
Why do my thoughts seem to speed up when I try to concentrate? This is because you are becoming more aware of them for the first time in your life. Don’t fight it. Just stay calm and gently observe these randome distractions, like clouds passing in the sky above. Then return to your object of focus. Over time your concentration will improve.
Do I need to meditate every day? To get the most out of the practice, you should do it daily. But if you occasionally miss a session, it’s not that big of a deal. The best thing is to pick a certain time of day to meditate, such as first thing in the morning, so you can devlop a routine.
Can I listen to music during meditation? Classical music or relaxing, natural sounds can help some people to relax and focus better. If this works for you, then go for it. Play them at a quiet, comfortable level, so as not to be too distracting:)
What if I just can’t seem to get it right? Here is a great reasource to help you start meditating deeply and effectively: It’s called Relax Your Mind. This course will teach you exactly how to utilize Abdominal Breathing, Visualization, and Relaxation Meditation! CLICK HERE To Learn More!
Conclusion
I hope I’ve cleared up some of your misconceptions about this ancient practice.
It’s funny how things can sound so confusing or complicated when you listen to what others say when they don’t have a clue.
Remember one fact…
Learning how to meditate is easy, but sometimes it’s the simplest things in life that have the biggest impact:)
Last month my doctor told me I need to slow down, take a break, breathe and relax. When he said “breathe more” I instantly realized the last time I actually, consciously took a moment to breathe: it was 3 years ago!!! Right then, I decided I wouldn’t do this anymore. I would take care of myself so I started taking 10-15 minutes out of my day to just close my eyes and breathe in and out and clear my mind. I’ve now started looking for information on how to meditate as I already feel better with the simple breathing exercise and want to do more.
…Sometimes the simple things in life are the most powerful. Most of us take for granted the action of breathing, and meditation can bring our awareness back to this life giving force!
Thanks for your your comments Naomi:)
Oh man, this resonates with me! I learned how to meditate a few years ago – and the exact thing I was told by my teacher is to focus on an object and it will help you avoid all the distractions. In fact I remember he told me to focus on an elephant. And not just look at it from the front, but from every angle and every way. Doing this really absorbs your mind into this object and you don’t think about all the distractions or stress that you have. It’s quite powerful! Unfortunately I don’t do it daily, but I know I should. LIke you said, you get the most of it doing it daily.
…Just like a muscle, Parmi, if it’s not worked on regularly and consistently, it won’t be as strong. You are definitely on the right path with your practice of focusing on an object. Distractions will pop up, but they will happen less and less as you continue to absorb yourself during your meditation sessions.
Over time you will be able to use this technique like a mental vacation, as I mentioned in my Meditation For Stress post.
Thanks For Sharing,
Mark
Wow! What an awesome article. I really enjoyed reading it. Due to increased stress and a lot of work, I recently started getting into meditations. I have heard tons of very good things about meditating. But one problem that I had is that I find sitting cross-legged very uncomfortable and therefore, I can’t think of anything else than the pain while sitting in that position. So I am very glad to hear that I also can sit in a more comfortable position!
Yes, like yourself I have never found the cross-legged position to be comfortable. I purchased special cushions and other props, but to no avail. But I still wanted to meditate so bad…
After much research and experimentation, I discovered all you really need to meditate effectively is a comfortable chair, preferably with a straight back. You can even put a cushion against the back for added support. Now I can focus on the actual technique without being distracted by pain. Try it, I think you and many others will finally be able to reap the benefits of this ancient practice.
Good Luck And Thanks For Sharing!
Mark
Wow this is very helpful and informative. Meditation is something I’ve often struggled to do. I am very restless and have so much on my mind that i never seem to get it right. Thanks for sharing in your post today that one can still meditate while at the same time listening to relaxing music . I tend to concentrate better when music is playing in the background than dead silence.
Once again thanks for sharing really appreciate it !!
It’s great to hear you found my post helpful and informative! So many people give up or don’t even bother to try meditation because of the obstacles you mentioned. This simple practice has improved my life in countless ways, and I’m happy to share and spread the word about how to do it. Relieving stress is just one of the positive side-effects.
In the beginning, it is often necessary to add relaxing music or other sounds to your meditation sessions until you improve the power of focus. This will happen over time. Be patient and persistent and I know you will begin to see why these techniques have withstood the test of time.
Even as advances in technology continue to lure our attention away from our inner selves, millions of people around the world still find time in their day to meditate.
Best of luck on your life’s journey, and if you need help with any other aspect of meditating, feel free to email me at contactme@mynaturalstressrelief.com.
Mark
I really enjoyed this post, Mark! I’ve tried meditation and have had some success but I have some issues with concentrating for any length of time. I find that focusing on my breath works the best.
I don’t really like sitting with my back straight. I don’t find it relaxing! But I get that lying down tends to make a person sleepy.
I’ll bookmark this blog and check back for more advice.
Cheryl K
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experiences with meditation. Like everything else, practice makes perfect…
If you find sitting difficult, perhaps you can try what I do. Place a cushion behind you on a chair that has a firm, straight backrest. This should make it more comfortable, and you will then be able to work on improving your concentration.You don’t need to be rigid. Focusing on the breath is one of the most widely used methods.
While meditating, it may seem like your thoughts are getting faster. But that’s only because you are becoming more aware of them. Don’t fight it, just gently continue to bring your attention back to the breath.
Hope this helps:)
Mark