Baba Shukla

Meditation for Beginners

Understand the purpose of meditation for you.

 Not everyone has the same reason for meditating, although most people appreciate its effect on calming your thoughts and causing you to stop and simply "be", amid the chatter and cacophony of everyday life. Seeking inner quiet is important for everyone, from the business person to the artist, and it's a way of connecting with yourself, taking time out from a hectic day and observing the spiritual needs within. Try not to over-complicate your reason for meditating––at its core it's about relaxing and refusing to be caught up in everyday anxieties.

Here are some of the reasons people meditate: To improve creativity, to visualize goal achievement, to quiet the inner chatter, to reach your real self, to banish negative approaches to thinking, to connect with the wider world and universe, to become more compassionate, to follow a faith such as Buddhism, to be more mindful, to breathe better (sporting and music types will find additional benefits), to improve health, to find peace, to control anxiety, to solve problems, and much more.

Understand the purpose of meditation for you

Choose an easy, basic meditation program to introduce you to the benefits of meditation.

Most people like to begin with a simple sitting meditation, somewhere quiet, simply focusing on breathing. As you advance, you can try other types of meditation, including walking meditation, guided meditation and meditation focused on a specific issue or problem. Avoid using difficult poses or thinking that you need "the right equipment" or clothing. Meditation is possible anywhere, dressed (or undressed) as you are, and making do in a quiet spot of your world.

Avoid slumping (like on a cozy couch) or lying down somewhere that you're used to falling asleep in. These are not positions conducive to staying alert when meditating. When beginning, you can sit on the floor or on a chair, sit on your heels, or sit cross-legged in the HALF LOTUS or FULL LOTUS positions (if that's comfortable for you––don't force it).

Choose an easy, basic meditation program to introduce you to the benefits of meditation.

Preparing Yourself

Ensure that you are alert. 

Digestion is distracting.

Don't smoke in the lead-up to meditating.

Wear something comfortable.

Preparing Yourself

Preparing Your Meditation Space

Choose a restful spot.

Disconnect or turn on the silencer for all phones.

Make the area pleasant.

Dim the lights.

Use a straight-backed chair to sit upright.

Preparing Your Meditation Space

Beginning Meditating

Sit still in your chosen position.

Accept that focus will be hard for the beginner.

Don't expect too much.

Practice and persevere.

Meditate daily. 

Beginning Meditating