Some people have a very difficult time when starting out with meditation. They can't get their breathing under control, find a comfortable position, or clear their mind. However, for most people, there are ways to make all of the above work.
Breathing for Meditation
Proper meditative breathing can be difficult to master, particularly in the beginning. For some, it feels like taking something that's natural and turning it into something uncomfortable or unnatural. Fortunately, there are steps to take to make it easier to breathe during meditation.
First of all, always breathe through the nose. Secondly, breathe with the stomach, not the chest. Try the following meditation tip: Take a timer and set it for one minute. Without trying to meditate, count how many breaths take place in 60 seconds.
Set the timer again for one minute. This time focus on the breath while breathing. Experience the air coming in through the nostrils and the movement of the stomach up and down while inhaling and exhaling. Try to make an effort to keep the breathing slower than the first time. Count how many breaths are taken during the second timed breathing and most likely it will be a lesser amount.
Don't hesitate to meditate just because getting the breathing portion down is difficult. Continue meditation attempts and know that in time and with practice, the proper breathing will improve.
Meditation Posture
Try as they may, there are some people who just can't get comfortable sitting in a traditional meditation pose. If this is uncomfortable, there are many other ways to meditate. Meditation can be done while walking, swimming, kneeling, laying down, or even running and dancing. Experiment around to see which works best.
Meditation Time
A common complaint from people who would like to meditate is that there just isn't the time. What most people don't realize is that meditation can take place at just about any time. A morning meditation can enjoyed while taking a shower. A quick meditation can occur during a break at work merely by closing the eyes and taking a few deep breaths. Some people like to meditate after they get into bed, shortly before going to sleep.
Meditating can be done while doing things around the house such as washing the dishes or preparing a meal and eating. If interested in learning a food meditation which can be performed during mealtime, information can be found in the article Instruction for a Mindfulness Eating Meditation.
Meditation Concentration
One of the most difficult tasks to conquer with meditation is the ability to clear the mind and think about nothing. Fortunately, thinking about nothing isn't the only way to meditate. There are many different things that can become the object of meditation.
People can meditate on an object, nature, their bodies, the weather, loved ones, or just about anything else. Listening to meditative music can help some practitioners focus. To aid in concentration, some people enjoy listening to a guided meditation.
This way instead of having to deal with distractions while trying to keep the mind clear, they can focus on the person's voice who is leading the meditation. If considering trying meditation music or a guided meditation, recommendations can be found in the article Relaxing Stress Reduction Meditation DVDs.
It can be frustrating when one experiences difficulties in one or more areas of meditation. The best thing is to take it slow, try different methods, and keep practicing, even if you don't get it right at first. Additional information about meditation postures and techniques can be found in the article A Guide to Meditation Postures and Techniques.
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