Meditation has been practiced for thousands of years, and its benefits are well-documented. Research has shown that meditation can reduce stress, improve focus, boost creativity, increase self-awareness, and more. Learning the basics of meditation can be intimidating for beginners, but it doesn’t have to be.
In this blog post, we’ll provide you with five tips for learning the basics of meditation and getting started right away.
1) Determine why you want to meditate
Before you begin meditating regularly, it’s important to determine why you want to do so. Ask yourself: Why do I want to meditate? What do I hope to get out of it? Once you’ve answered these questions, you can use this motivation to help you get the most out of your meditation practice.
It may also help you stay committed to your practice since you’ll be able to draw on your original motivation in times of struggle. Some common reasons people choose to meditate include reducing stress, improving focus, boosting creativity, increasing self-awareness, connecting with your emotions, or connecting with your higher self.
The specific benefits you experience from meditation will vary depending on your individual practice.
2) Set aside time for your practice
One of the most important things you can do as a beginner is set aside time for your practice. You don’t have to meditate for hours each day, but you do need to make meditation a consistent part of your routine. Consistency is key to reaping the benefits of meditation, so you should meditate at the same time every day, if possible.
Meditating once a week isn’t going to do much if you’re trying to reap the benefits of daily practice.
3) Find a comfortable place to sit or lie down
If you’re just getting started with meditation, you’ll want to find a comfortable place to sit or lie down. If you’re sitting, it’s helpful to use a meditation pillow, since these can make the position more comfortable. You can also rest your lower legs on a coffee table or ottoman if your knees are uncomfortable.
If you prefer to lie down while you meditate, you can either do this while propped up on a pillow or on your back with your arms resting by your sides. Again, it’s important to find a position that feels most comfortable for you.
4) Begin with a guided meditation
As a beginner, it’s best to start with guided meditations. There are many guided meditations available online, and you can also find guided meditations on apps like Calm. Guided meditations help you learn the basics of meditation and are helpful for beginners who may be a little bit nervous about doing it on their own.
Guided meditations are also helpful if you’re having trouble quieting your mind.
5) Don’t worry if you can’t clear your mind
One of the most common misconceptions about meditation is that you have to clear your mind completely in order to practice correctly. While this may be true for meditative monks who practice for many hours each day, it’s not realistic for the average person who tries to fit meditation into their busy day-to-day life.
If you’re a beginner, your goal shouldn’t be to clear your mind. Instead, you should focus on things like being consciously aware of your breathing or listening to the sounds around you. As you progress as a meditator, you’ll gain the ability to quiet your thoughts and clear your mind.
Conclusion
These are five tips for learning the basics of meditation and getting started right away. Before you begin meditating, it’s important to determine why you want to do so.
You should also set aside time for your practice, find a comfortable place to sit or lie down, begin with a guided meditation, and don’t worry if you can’t clear your mind. When you’re just getting started with meditation, you’ll want to find a comfortable place to sit or lie down, begin with a guided meditation, and don’t worry if you can’t clear your mind.