Have you made the decision to start incorporating meditation into your lifestyle? This could be the most valuable step you take toward achieving your full potential of body, mind and spirit. Meditation frees you from the limitations of negative thought patterns, allowing you to tap into deep reserves of energy and creativity.
Now that you’ve made the commitment, make the most of your time. While meditation is a uniquely personal experience, there are ways you can optimize the conditions. When you achieve high-quality sessions, you’ll be more motivated to continue your practice.
When and Where Should You Meditate?
Meditation heightens your awareness of the connection between mind and body. Take advantage of your body’s natural rhythms by meditating during morning or evening when your system is quieter.
One of the beauties of mediation is that it requires no special equipment or surroundings. Any place where you can spend some time without interruptions is the right place for your sessions.
What Is the Best Physical Posture for Meditation?
Your comfort is the main consideration. When your body is relaxed, it’s easier for your mind to follow. Sitting straight, whether on the floor or a chair, will help you remain alert. Lying down tends to trigger sleepiness, but if you’re ill or simply feel more comfortable that way, a supine position is fine.
Let your hands rest naturally in your lap or at your side with palms open. A clenched fist or flexed fingers creates tension that can interfere with the meditation process.
How Long Should Your Meditation Session Last?
Overall consistency is a more important factor than the length of each individual session. The benefits of meditation deepen over time as you become more accomplished. Many sources recommend 30-minute sessions, but even 15 minutes gives you time to revive and recharge. Focus on quality rather than quantity.
What Should You Think About While Meditating?
Sometimes there’s a misconception that mediation is about focusing on a particular idea or problem. However, one of the goals of meditation is to break out of repetitive thought patterns. As thoughts move through your consciousness, avoid concentrating on one or assigning value judgments to them. Let them move in and out naturally and you’ll begin to enter the fertile space between thoughts.
Focusing on your breathing is one way to remain in the present moment. Let your breath follow a natural rhythm in and out. Some people find it useful to employ a classic mantra that acts as a type of white noise, eliminating distractions and allowing thoughts to flow freely.
You may be surprised at how much better you feel after only a couple of meditation sessions. Benefits like renewed energy and improved clarity of focus will gain momentum as you continue to build and refine your practice.