Do you want to know how to meditate? Are you looking for meditation for beginners?
Yes, It is natural to seek profound experiences in meditation, especially when you have just begun meditating. Meditation techniques are a great way to reduce stress, increase focus and improve overall well-being. By ensuring a few simple things before you start meditating, you can have a better experience in meditation. The usual beginner questions are ‘how to meditate’ and ‘how to start meditating at home’.
Tips to get started with meditation for beginners
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Choose a convenient time
Meditation is relaxation. If you’re thinking about how to meditate properly, then do it entirely at your convenience. Choose a time when you know you are not likely to be disturbed and have the freedom to relax and enjoy. The hours of sunrise and sunset are also ideal for meditation. These hours are when there is a serene calm at home, helping you to meditate easily.
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Choose a quiet place
Just like a convenient time, choose a quiet and peaceful environment where you can sit and meditate without distractions. It could be a quiet room in your home, a soft spot in nature, or even a meditation center. Such a place can make meditation for beginners more enjoyable and relaxing.
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Sit in a comfortable posture
Your posture makes a difference. Find a comfortable seated position that works for you. You can sit on a chair or the floor with a cushion. Keep your spine straight and relaxed with your hands resting on your lap. Relax, and be steady as much as possible. Sit straight with your spine erect, keep your shoulders and neck relaxed, and keep your eyes closed throughout the process.
Keep in mind: It is a myth that one must sit in padmasana (lotus position) to meditate.
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Keep a relatively empty stomach
Meditating on a relatively empty stomach is recommended at home or in the office. The reason to meditate before a meal is simple – you might doze off while meditating after a meal. Sometimes it can also cause discomfort while meditating with a full stomach.
When you are hungry, the hunger cramps may distract you from meditating. Your mind may even keep thinking about food the whole time! Hence, it is advisable to meditate two hours after a meal.
Keep in mind: Do not force yourself to meditate when you are hungry. Eat sattvic food for better results.
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Start with a few warm-ups
Warming up before meditation aims to bring your attention to the present moment and prepare your body and mind for meditation. If you are wondering how to start meditating, then a few warm-up exercises or sukshma yoga (subtle yoga exercises) before meditation helps improve circulation, remove inertia and restlessness and make the body feel lighter. This is an essential step in learning how to meditate, enabling you to sit steadily for a longer time.
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Take a few deep breaths
Taking deep breaths before starting is another essential tip for learning meditation. Deep breathing or doing nadi shodhan pranayama before beginning a meditation technique is a good idea. It helps to steady the rhythm of the breath and leads the mind into a peaceful meditative state. Pay attention to your breath as you inhale and exhale. Count your breaths if it helps you to stay focused. When your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath.
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Keep a gentle smile on your face
Smiling gently throughout the exercise is unmissable and non-negotiable! A gentle smile keeps you relaxed and peaceful while enhancing the meditation experience. Give it a try.
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Open your eyes slowly and gently
As you come to the end of the meditation, don’t be in a hurry to open your eyes or move your body immediately. Instead, become aware of yourself and your surroundings and open your eyes gradually. Then slowly move your body, and you are ready for the day!
Starting a meditation practice can seem daunting, but anyone can do it with a little effort and patience. If you often ask yourself how to meditate properly, follow the above tips and give yourself the gift of a calm and centered mind.
Try this guided meditation for beginners by Gurudev
Meditation techniques alleviate stress-related problems, deeply relax the mind and rejuvenate the system. If you’re not sure how to step into the world of meditation. In that case, you can sign up for our free introductory session for meditation for beginners. We talk about yoga, breath and meditation for 60 minutes, giving you an insight into the meditation world.
The Art of Living’s Sahaj Samadhi Meditation is a specially crafted program to help you tap into your unlimited potential by diving deep within yourself.
