Everyone Can Meditate
Image by Maribel Morales for FitXBrit
Meditation is such an essential practice in my own life. It's something I was resistant to for many years, mostly because I had an idea of what meditation was supposed to be like.
“I was judging my meditation experiences, which held me back from creating a practice. ”
There are many common misconceptions about meditation. If you've tried meditating and "can't" do it, you might just be judging the experience as I was. Everyone can meditate.
Here are some tips to get you mentally prepared:
1. Meditation does not "clear the mind" (at least at first): when you first begin meditating, the mind will go into a tantrum. If you've never observed your thoughts, it might feel scary or overwhelming. I know my mind raced many times. Accept the experience and practice breathing through it.
2. Keep it short: a lot of people suggest starting with 15 or 20-minute meditations. This is way too long for a beginner. The brain will become overwhelmed. The point of the meditation practice is to build the awareness (attention) muscle. You want to take it slow, so do not go over 10 minutes. Actually, I suggest that people begin with sitting for 2 minutes when they first start.
3. Get comfortable: There's no "right" way or position to meditate. I like to sit. Other's like to lay down. Go with whatever feels best for you.
4. Stay consistent: Consistency is what really builds a meditation practice. That is why I suggest a shorter method. It allows you to meditate every day.
5. The point of meditation is to observe: when you're sitting, just notice your thoughts. You might be thinking about things you need to do later, how you have to wash the dishes, or all the emails you have to get back to. This is normal. When this happens, don't judge yourself. Expect that your thoughts will come. Just gently guide yourself back to your breathing. With practice, you'll notice more control of your attention outside of meditation.
What experiences have you had with meditation?
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