» 5 Ways To Start Meditating Now

Simply Serenity

Inspiration for inner peace and love by Lauralyn, a yoga and angel therapist.

5 Ways To Start Meditating Now

January 26th, 2012

1. Don’t make it more than it is. Meditating isn’t a project, it’s time to simply be and notice yourself. You don’t have to “do” anything, so you don’t need a big plan for how, where and when you will meditate. You can do a one-minute meditation right now, as you read this. Close your eyes and set your timer to 60 seconds. Breathe. Done!

2. Inspire yourself. Creating a little nook to meditate is fun and inspiring. You can roll up a blanket, use a pillow or meditation chair to sit on. Light some incense. Place an inspirational image in front of you, like of a saint, angel, spiritual teacher or nature image. You can even put on some relaxing nature or instrumental music in the background.

3. Release expectations. If you approach meditation with a bunch of expectations, like your mind should be instantly clear or you should meditate like this or that, you may find yourself getting stressed or disappointed. Meditating isn’t about attaining a goal, although it certainly can help with your goals. The idea of meditation is self-soothing, self-nurturing, growth, time out. Sometimes meditating for even one minute will feel like a challenge. Other times, it will bring a delicious sense of peace and well-being. Allow your meditation to be what it is today. You can learn a lot about yourself and your needs this way.

4. Use your busy mind. When your mind is really busy with thoughts, instead of feeling frustrated that you can’t clear it while meditating, begin to direct the mind. You can visualize a goal you’re reaching for and imagine what it feels like to already have reached that goal. You can focus on a mantra – a word or prayer – that you silently repeat on your inhale and exhale. You can imagine an Archangel healing you with colored light. You can use counting to focus the mind: count from 1 to 5 on the inhale and 1-8 on the exhale. Maybe sitting in silence fighting off distracting thoughts isn’t the way for you today. Maybe the practice of disciplining your mind is where it’s at. There are many paths to reach that state of simply being.

5. Be unconventional. Do you think you need a quiet space to meditate? Maybe you won’t have many opportunities to be in a quiet space today. That doesn’t mean you can’t meditate. Your meditation for today may just be sitting in your car for an extra few minutes and breathing deeply with your eyes closed. It may be stopping your cart at the grocery store and taking a few breaths while tuning out the noise around you. It may be closing your eyes for a moment and feeling the breath flow in and out of your nose while you’re in the shower, at the dinner table, or your desk. Anytime you focus on your breath, notice it, and bring your attention inward you bring a gentle awareness to your state of being. Viola – you’re meditating!

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