How to Meditate Properly.
How do you meditate properly? What’s the right way to meditate? While there are many different ways to meditate, each with its own benefits, there are a few common errors that prevent people from experiencing the full range of benefits available through meditation. The following guide will walk you through how to meditate properly so that you can begin enjoying these benefits as soon as possible. Meditate properly with these simple guidelines!
How do I start?
If you’re completely new to meditation, don’t expect immediate results. After all, it takes time and practice to get good at something—and meditation is no different. When you first start meditating, your mind will probably be full of thoughts that have nothing to do with your breath or what mantra you’re repeating. But after a few minutes (or even hours), something clicks in your brain, and you achieve a state of calm focus that can help lower stress levels and improve your outlook on life.
How can I overcome resistance?
Resistance is natural, and it’s a good sign that you’re challenging yourself. By definition, resistance should not feel good. If meditation feels too easy, you might not be putting enough effort into it. This can also happen if you don’t know how to meditate properly (there are plenty of guides online). Overcoming resistance means pushing through whatever it is that stops you from meditating. The key here is persistence—you don’t want to give up! A big part of overcoming resistance is recognizing what prevents us from meditating, and then coming up with solutions for those issues so we can keep going. In my case, I have trouble concentrating; my mind jumps around a lot when I try and focus on one thing.
What if I can’t sit still?
Meditation doesn’t have to be about sitting still for long periods of time. You don’t even need a physical practice space, either. In fact, it’s more important that you find a way to meditate regularly than it is that you figure out how (or where) you’re going to do it. A meditation practice doesn’t have to take up any extra time from your day; in fact, you can use those minutes spent commuting or waiting in line as mini-meditation sessions. And on top of getting valuable relaxation and stress-reduction benefits, that little bit of daily meditation will help you build mindfulness and bring calm into every aspect of your life.
How long should I meditate?
As for how long, that's entirely up to you. If it's your first time trying meditation, we recommend starting with a short session so you can ease into it and see if it's something you'd like to make part of your daily routine. Ten minutes is an ideal length, but really anything will do; many people like using alarms on their phones to track how long they've been meditating. Once you're done with your session, don't worry about judging yourself; simply come back when you're ready and feel comfortable beginning again. You'll learn a lot by just observing what happens when you sit down—whether or not that means closing your eyes or doing a walking meditation in your house instead of sitting on a pillow in front of an altar.
What if my mind wanders while I am meditating?
First, realize that it is totally normal for your mind to wander. Meditation allows you to be in touch with your thoughts and feelings on a deeper level than most of us are used to. That can be scary, but you don't have anything to worry about – if you notice that your mind has wandered while meditating, just accept that thought and gently bring yourself back into focus. You will learn how effectively meditate over time and mindfulness practice will help you connect with yourself in a way like never before possible.
How do I know if I am doing it right?
There are no right or wrong ways to meditate, but there are several things you can do to learn how to meditate properly. If you’re just starting out, consider enrolling in a meditation class at your local yoga studio. The teacher will provide tips and techniques on how to meditate properly, which will include everything from finding an appropriate location, what supplies you’ll need and how long it should take. Be sure not be too hard on yourself; simply sitting down with intent is a start towards learning how to meditate properly.
How long should each meditation session be?
How long you should meditate depends on your goals, skill level, and schedule. For beginners, 15 minutes a day is a good start. If you’re trying to focus on stress management, it may be enough to set aside 5 minutes each day for your practice. If you’re looking for greater benefits, consider dedicating at least 20 minutes per day.
My thoughts are all over the place, how do I stop them?
While it’s normal for your mind to wander and think about all sorts of things while you meditate, there are ways to bring yourself back into focus and stop your thoughts from spiraling out of control. And no, it’s not necessary that you close your eyes; in fact, some people find it easier to keep their eyes open and focus on a simple object like a candle or cross hanging on a wall. This may be a good way for beginners who have trouble focusing on their breathing or closing their eyes during meditation. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter if you sit with your eyes open or closed—just make sure that you set aside time each day where you can relax and let go of any outside stress.
