How to start meditating, the idea of meditation is simple, but the practice of it typically is not
easy.
When we sit down to meditate, the mind often decides it has other things to do.
Come into actions when we start to meditate, include feeling a bit bored, feeling frustrated, wanting
to start suddenly remembering things you've been meaning to do.
None of these experiences means you are doing something wrong or cannot meditate, so stick with it.
It can help to keep the following things in mind for your meditation practice.
You're not bad at meditating.
We will lose our focus again and again while we meditate.
If you think you're bad at it, think again.
Meditation is simply really centering our focus as many times as we lose it.
We don't have to buy into the self-critical thoughts that intrude into our meditation sessions.
The goal is not to become good at meditating.
It's easy to bring the habit of judging to our mindfulness practice, which can make meditation both
punishing and disappointing.
The point of meditation is simply to focus on the present and to let go of judgment and let go of attachment
to a specific outcome.
You probably have expectations of what meditation will be like having a clear and simple mind, for
example, and could strive to make the experience much match what you expect.
But in reality, we never know what we will experience during meditation.
We can practice opening to whatever happens in that particular session.
There are many ways to meditate.
Here's a simple plan to get started.
Practice meditation.
When you're able to stay awake and alert, find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed and remove
possible distractions like your phone.
Choose a comfortable seat and on the floor, in a chair or anywhere else.
If you sit in a floor, you can raise your hips with a blanket or a yoga block.
If that's more comfortable, close your eyes if you wish, or keep them open and fix it on the floor
a few feet in front of you.
Practice with or without a recording.
Set a timer if you do it without a five minute is a good starting point.
Keep the timer out of sight and begin to notice the sensations of breathing, being attention to them
for the full length of your inhalation and exhalation.
Bring your attention back to the breath each time you realize your mind has wandered.
There are many apps and online meditations available if you prefer and guided meditation.
Finally, as with anything else, maintain a light touch.
Meditation practice is for you, so be aware of making it yet another chore to cross off your list.