If you have never used meditation before, getting started is easier than you might think. There isn’t any special equipment you need to buy or classes you need to take. While buying a book, a guided meditation audio recording or an app for your smartphone are certainly options, you don’t even have to do that to get started. I’m sharing a guided meditation with you in the post.
Start by getting comfortable in a spot that is as free of distractions as possible. You’ll want to sit down either on a chair with your feet firmly planted on the ground, or sitting cross-legged on the floor. If you sit on the floor, you’ll be more comfortable if you sit on a cushion (especially at our age!) It’s important that you can sit in whatever position you choose comfortably and that you’re keeping your back straight. Bad posture may cause you discomfort after a while.
I’m sharing a guided meditation for you to try right here. The rest of this post will give you everything else you need to know to get started meditating. This guided meditation is just 3 ½ minutes long and will help you appreciate the abundance in your life.
Before we start with the actual meditation, let’s get back to distractions. In the beginning, you want to cut as many of them out as possible. Choose a quiet spot where no one will interrupt you. Turn off the ringer on your phone, close the blinds if you think it will help to create a calm and soothing space. You won’t always have to go through all this trouble to meditate because, after a little practice, you’ll be able to do the little meditation exercise I’m about to share with you anytime, anywhere. But like any new skill, meditating can be challenging in the beginning. It sounds simple enough, but it’s easy to get distracted. That’s why it’s important to set yourself up for success by cutting out any distractions you can.
You can meditate anywhere and it will help you in many aspects of your life. People who can’t sit still can do it while on a walk, at the park or the beach, or anywhere really, so long as you feel relaxed. With that said, the best way for most beginners is to sit down, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. Notice how the air flows in and out of your nose and mouth. Try to think of nothing else but your breath. This is the hard part and something that takes practice. Don’t judge yourself when your thoughts stray. Keep bringing yourself back to the sensation of the breath anytime you notice that you’re thinking of something else. Gently bring your thoughts back to the present each time they drift, and they will drift. Start meditating for a few minutes each day and increase the time as you move along.
That’s all there’s to it. Getting started with meditation is simple, but like any new skill, it takes practice. Be patient with yourself. Be kind to yourself. Stick with it and keep practicing these new meditation skills. You’ll be glad you did.