Meditation Preparation

Preparing Yourself for Meditation

Meditation may sound like a simple exercise, but most people find it difficult to focus on a mundane task to the exclusion of everything else. The problem most individual – especially beginners moving from finding a few minutes to embrace the solace of what mediation offers to becoming more committed by embracing a weekly or daily ritual of meditating – underestimate is the amount of focus required for an exercise as simple as meditation. It isn’t just a breathing exercise. Meditation, in fact, is a way of introspecting: it’s an exercise that requires the complete involvement of one’s body, mind and soul. Therefore, it is important to prepare oneself for this ironically simple exercise.

How to Prepare the Room

You do not need an elaborate set up for meditating; however, the room in which you choose to meditate is best prepared when clutter-free. People tend to have low concentration levels in a messy room because not only does clutter have negative energy, but it is also extremely distracting. Make sure there are no phones in the room, and if there are ensure you keep them on silent mode.

The room in which you are choosing to meditate would be more supportive with comfortable, soft lighting. Bright lights can be distracting, and you may doze off to sleep if you are meditating in a dark room. If you are a beginner with the desire to embrace a daily commitment to mediating, you may be able to focus better with a relaxing or soothing symphony playing in the background. There are many meditation CDs available on the market with soft music, sounds of nature, chirping birds, etc., so you can choose the music that appeals to your senses the most.

Certain aromas are extremely soothing to the nerves and can help one meditate. Candles made with essential oils like lavender or lemon are especially useful, as they help in relaxing the nerves.

If you are a morning person you can try meditating outdoors (on your lawn or balcony) just before sunrise.

How to Prepare Your Mind

Your conscious mind is used to a continuous flow of several random thoughts when idle. Therefore, it’s hardly surprising for most individuals when they find it difficult to control their wandering conscious minds. If you’re one of those people, consider using one of these tips:

1. Our bodies and minds respond well to routine; therefore, setting a meditation routine will eventually making it easier for your conscious mind to switch off and relax. Decide on a suitable and convenient time and make sure you dedicate that slot to meditation everyday or weekly, depending on your goal.
2. Some may find guided meditation exercises easier than meditating on their own. Guided meditation involves following the visual imagery instructions played on a CD or tape. To calm yourself before meditation, take a few deep breaths and sit or lie down in a comfortable position.

The complexity of meditation lies in simplicity! All that it takes to master this wonderful art is patience, persistence, and dedication.

Until next time, embrace your inner wisdom.

Namaste,
Karen